That Day

I was with my parents, babysitting my nephew while they met with contractors about the house we were readying to build.

I wasn’t very old. Nearly twelve. But I understood. This wasn’t a joke or a dream, though everyone watching that day was hoping for some kind of snap that would bring them out of a tormented sleep. No, it was a real-live nightmare. It was too bizarre to make up. It was too sadistic, too inhumane, too evil to haunt even the most troubled soul. Or so it would seem.

Two planes. Two towers. Two piles of rubble. Two gaping holes left in our society forever.

We may never understand, but we won’t ever forget.

Where were you?