September 11, 2001

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At 15 you don’t really take that much interest in the world around you. Teenagers only care about their popularity ranks and themselves. It was a beautiful Fall day, a cloudless day. Something you don’t really get here in La Push often. It was tempting taking the day off school. Unfortunately mom made sure I walked through the gate with a smile and a wave from the car. The bell rang at 8:30am for the students to make their way to their first class. I stopped by my locker, which was in one of the best positions in the school. I fought to get this locker and won. With my bag stocked with the books I needed I sluggishly made my way to my first class – Math. Not a subject many liked. I didn’t mind it . . . if I understood what we were learning. Ms Roberts made it more bearable, she was an awesome teacher, and that’s saying something. We all sat in our usual seats. We didn’t have assigned seats, but we always sat at the same desks. The class began and my mind was off on its own in a matter of seconds - one of the negatives of having a seat by the window. It was only just past nine when Miss Kershaw threw open the door. Her eyes wide with shock, tears rolling down her rosy cheeks. Without looking at anyone she almost power walked over to Ms Roberts, they muttered for a bit – the whole class had obviously stopped work to watch what was being exchanged between the two. My instincts kicked in and told me something bad had happened when Ms Roberts backed away with a hand over her mouth, tears beginning to swell. She never showed emotions like that in front of her students.

We all watched and she slowly turned towards us, attempting to get the words out. “Class, something . . . horrible has happened,” you could tell it was a strain for her to get those words out without breaking down into a complete mess like Miss Kershaw. I had looked over to my friend, Josie, and raised an eyebrow in wonder at her. The principal’s voice rang through the room and down the hall from the cheap announcer the school had recently installed.
“All staff and students to the gym immediately,” that was when the goose bumps began to appear. There was no need for the two teachers to make us hurry. We all got up, slinging our bags over our shoulders and joined the small population of the school in the hallway, all trying to get to the gym. Ms Roberts was seen leaving the school in her car. Her sister was a bond trader in the World Trade Centre . . . had been.

It was like a media room. There were several TVs on stands with wheels – the ones you grab from the store room if your teacher wanted to show you a video on something. They were all on the same channel. My eyes focused on one and I walked towards it, unable to take it in. A plane flying into one of the world’s famous Twin Towers. I can’t remember when I stopped walking. I kept watching, then couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw another plane enter the other tower. Cries and sobs echoed through the gym. Josie, who I hadn’t noticed was beside me, grabbed my arm and pointed at the TV. “Leah. There are people jumping,” and let out a sob. The tears then came. I wasn’t one to show that side of myself to anyone except my family. This was different. I could see them, the small figures falling beside the buildings. Most of us had sat down where we stood, unable to move another step. All eyes were fixed on one of the TVs. I didn’t know what the time was, but all of a sudden the screen switched to the Pentagon with a plane crashing into it. It felt like I was no longer safe. Even if we are on the opposite side of the country from where this was happening, I still felt like this was the end. We were no longer safe, like it was the end of the world.

It wasn’t much longer after that when parents started entering the gym, searching for their kids. Each face was just as scared, just as tear streaked. I saw both mom and dad; they already had Seth by their side. Both their eyes scanned the room; mom clung to Seth who was weeping by her side. Their eyes fell on mine at the same time; I got up without saying anything to Josie and headed over to them. Dad put an arm around me and pulled my along to the car, Seth and mom were on our heels. I heard Seth sob to mom, “is it over?” I never heard her reply.

We all sat at the dinner table in silence when the thought came to me. How many families would not be doing this as a whole family that night? One more tear slide down my cheek, mom reached over and wiped it away with a napkin, then slightly smiled. It was a sad smile; she had done it for my benefit.

[Sue Clearwater]

You'll never know how happy I was to see you that day Lee, to take you home and to know you were safe, I think your dad & I looked in on you & Seth numerous times that night and for a good few months after that while you slept.

Love you Lee
Momxx