Brenda got out of bed, got the morning paper, and settled herself on the couch to read the paper and watch a little of the morning news. It had been Sonny's day to get the kids up and off to school, allowing Brenda to sleep in a little.

Brenda flipped on the TV, realizing that the news was over already. She turned on a talk show, then looked up as the news announcer broke in. Her eyes widened in horror as she saw the picture on the TV. There was a terrible picture, black smoke streaming out of the World Trade Center. The news person was saying that a jetliner had crashed into one of the towers. Brenda put the paper down and slid off the couch to her knees, horror evident on her face.

Brenda continued to watch the coverage, switching over to CNN, knowing they would have the latest updates. The pictures showing people running from the site reminded Brenda of pictures she had seen after bombings in a foreign country. She continued to watch smoke pour out of the building, then the unbelievable.

A second jetliner flew towards the tower that wasn't on fire. Brenda watched as the airplane hit the tower, exploding on impact. Brenda cried out, almost feeling a physical pain as her mind went to all the people that were working there.

Then, just as she was thinking this couldn't get any worse, she watched first one tower, then the other collapse. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she prayed out loud for the first time in years. She prayed for the people in the towers, the families, the firefighters, the policemen. Watching the TV through her tears, Brenda knew it couldn't get any worse.

The news announceer suddenly switched the pictures. Now they were showing a piece of the pentagon where yet another airplane had crashed, killing even more people. And, there was a report of yet another highjacked airplane, and it was said to have crashed somewhere in Pennsylvania. Brenda's eyes widened in disbelief. This couldn't be happening. This was America. Things like this weren't supposed to happen here. Things like this only happened in horror novels and horror movies. This couldn't be real. Please don't let this be real, her mind cried.

Brenda looked up as Sonny walked in the door. Seeing the expression on his face, Brenda knew that he had heaerd the news already. Sonny sank to the floor beside Brenda, taking her in his arms, crying with her as they continued to watch the developing story. The news kept showing the towers, the 2nd plane crashing, the Pentagon burning, the towers falling.

As the day went on, Sonny and Brenda were joined by their family and friends, and finally thier children getting home from school. Everyone sat around the TV, getting up only when absolutely neccessary. Brenda looked around her living room, seeing the same expression on everyone's faces. Horror and disbelief emanated from every single person in the room.

Looking up, Brenda saw someone had switched to a local station, and they were announcing a candlelight vigil in the park. Looking around, there was a silent agreement that they would go. Tonight, differences were put aside, old feuds forgotten.

Arriving at the park, they saw all their friends and family there. Even people they didn't like. Brenda lit a candle, handed one to Sonny, then
one to each of their children. Everyone stood gathered in a large circle. Someone had brought a radio, turning it on, but down low so everyone could hear, but no one was disturbed. Someone started singing a hymn, and the entire group joined in. When that was finished, someone broke into The Star Spangled Banner. With choked voices Sonny and Brenda joined in, hoping and praying that there was a way to heal from all the death and destruction that had happened today. Praying that someday things could go on, but maybe not as they had before. Maybe people would learn to slow down now, learn to say I love you a little more and argue a little less. Sonny brought Brenda close to him, pulling their children close to them, Sonny and Brenda held on to their family and prayed for all the lost ones.


God Bless America
Land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.

This fic is dedicated to all the people who lost someone that day, to all those who gave their lives doing the job they were meant for. God Bless each and every one of you. I don't know what it is going to take to heal us as a nation, but I pray that one day, we do heal. I don't live anywhere near New York, I'm Illinois born and raised, but I know that the tragedy of 9-11 touched each of our lives. For those of you in New York, and close to New York, I pray for you each night.

THE END....