Sally put her arm around Jordan as she continued to dial. The two cried and snotted and watched the TV in silence. It was then that Mindi entered the room.
“What’s wrong? Why are you guys crying?”
Sally quickly turned around; Jordan didn’t.
“Oh honey,” she wiped the snot from her nose and years with one swipe, “It’s ok. There was just….there was just….” She started to cry some more. “There was an accident in New York and I’m very sad about it.”
Mindi frowned and looked toward the TV. “Oh. Looks like a big accident.”
“It’s ok Mindi. It’s sad and a little scary, but it’s going to be ok.” Sally began to realize that her intensity of emotion may have seemed a little off given what was on the screen: just two burning buildings at that point. The truth was that she was crying out of fear, terrified that her husband was next or perhaps already had been killed, and that their entire way of life, entire country was going down the tube as they stood there together in the living room.
“Let’s go get you out of your night clothes and get some breakfast in your stomach.” Sally said with a little more empathy in her voice than was usual at that time in the morning.
Jordan remained in the room to watch.
When the phone rang, both Sally and Jordan’s hearts felt like they were going to beat out of their chests. It was a terrifying and exhilarating and nerve wracking wait to hear the voice on the other end – but when Sally heard Jordan’s friend Alex, her face fell and Jordan’s heart only beat faster. When she held out the phone to Jordan, the teenager felt confused, who could be calling other than dad?
“JJJJJJjjjordanIdon’tknowwhatI’mgggggoingtodooooSNIFFFJJJJordan?!?JJJOrdand?!didjewseetheTeeveeandtheplanesandthesmokeandHONKthefireandIdon’tknowwhatI’mgoing…”
It’ was a tidal wave of sounds and snorts consonants and vowels. Jordan could hardly make it out. “Alex? Is that you?”
“Jjjjjordani’msoscaredIcan’tstoptappingmyfeetandchewingmynailsandi’mnotusrewhattodowandikeeppacingalloverthehouseandidontknowwhattodoandI—momisallfreakedoutandshetookoffandnowi’mhereallaloneandidon’tknowwhattodo…”
“Take a breath Alex. Breathe.”