Where were you?
Sean's history project is to film interviews with ten people to see where they were on 9/11 so he interviews his family for some of the interviews and interviews people that he knows at random for the rest.
I rewatched the entire series in preparation of the 9th season. That, plus the date observances kind of inspired this piece. I tried to use as many references as possible from the show, but some things might be wrong, so take any mistakes with a grain of salt. I have author's note where needed. Some items are based on stories I heard that day including one that is my own. This story is about the millions of stories of that day across this country and around the world. I hope that I honor them well.
Story is finished but I would like to know if there is enough interest for it to be worth publishing it all.
Feedback is always welcome.
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Monday, August 28, 2017
Parker Ryan placed a card face down on each desk as she waited for the bell to ring. When it did, and the students began to file in, she began her lecture.
"Do not," she began as she passed out the instruction sheets for a new assignment. "I repeat NOT turn over the cards on your desk until I explain what we will be doing."
As they began to settle and the bell rang a second time, she cleared her throat. "History, as you know, is the study of past events, particularly in human affairs. We will be studying dates, places and happenings that are a part of history as a whole, but I want you to remember that history is also the individual stories."
"So what are we doing?" asked Julie Babcock.
"We will be doing presentations. Writing reports or making videos to help tell the stories." Mrs. Ryan explained. "On the cards in front of you is a date in history, specifically American history. You must do a brief report on what happened that day. The kind of dry stuff that you're going to find in history books. Then, either do interviews of people who were alive and witnessed the event whether in person or on TV or find stories of witnesses to the event."
"How many?" Julie voiced before anyone else could, as she always did.
"Depends on the date," Mrs. Ryan said. "For longer ago dates, like those from the early days of the US's existence I'm requiring at least two but would like four or five. For more recent history, like late last century and into this, I want to see ten. You have all year, but don't wait until the last minute. I want to see a preliminary report and a list of names of people whose stories you want to tell at the end of September." She cleared her throat. "And for any dates from the early 80's to now, I would be happy to be one of anyone's stories."
"Why do we need the preliminary stuff done by then?" asked John Poe.
"So that I can direct anyone needing assistance or witnesses in the direction of someone that can help," Mrs. Ryan replied. "Any more questions?"
Sean Reagan raised his hand. "I'm not sure if I will…" he trailed off.
Parker's stern teaching stance melted away and she spoke softly to him. "I've been told about the recent changes in your life," she said. "See me after class if you think you'll need extra help."
He nodded as Mrs. Ryan went back into teacher mode. "Now, Julie, you turn over your card and tell me what you have so I can write it down."
"It's random?" she asked as the rest of the class moaned. The second week of school and Parker could tell Julie wanted to be the teacher's pet.
"Yes," she told the girl. "I did not choose who gets what. What's your date?" She picked up a note book and wrote Julie's name on the first line.
"July 16, 1969," Julie said.
Mrs. Parker wrote it on the line followed by 'moon landing.' "Kyle Davenport."
"December 7, 1941." Parker wrote the date then Pearl Harbor down.
"Junie Ericson."
"April 14, 1865." Parker nodded and wrote it down with Lincoln assassination.
"Alex Maybelline."
"January 28, 1986." Challenger disaster.
"Carol Morgan."
"November 9, 1989." Berlin Wall.
"John Poe."
"November 22, 1963." JFK assassination.
She had eighteen students and she wrote down seventeen names, dates and incidents. The very last student, Sean Reagan, turned over his card and swallowed. Parker closed her eyes and looked down at her notebook. She wrote the date after his name before he could speak; without a descriptor, for the date didn't need one.
"September 11, 2001."
The room fell silent for a few minutes before the bell rang signaling the end of the class and day. "Chapter two read by tomorrow," she said over the students gathering their books. "We will be discussing the Mayflower compact as a precursor to the Constitution!"
She closed her notebook and started to go around the desk she had been leaning on when she noticed Sean gathering his books slowly. When the room had emptied, and he stood before her, she spoke. "You OK with that date?"
"I wasn't even born when it happened," Sean answered. "But my family was there."
"They were?"
"My dad and my grandfather," he said. "Were in the towers, but they never talk about it. Except to say that they were there."
"What did they do?"
"They're with the NYPD," Sean told her.
"Oh," she said, then, "OH. As in Commissioner Reagan."
"Only, he was a Chief then," Sean replied.
Parker nodded. "Normally, I wouldn't do this, but do you want to pick another date?" She grabbed the rest of the stack of cards. "With what's going on in your family, I'll understand."
Sean shook his head. "I think they can handle it if I wait until later in the school year to do the interviews," he said. "But my mom…" he trailed off.
Parker patted his shoulder. "What about her?"
"She was a nurse." he told her. "She told us about it."
"If you want to use her story," Parker said. "You can do so by telling it in the video yourself."
"If it comes to that," he told her. "I will."
"Is there anything else?"
Sean nodded. "Would you be one of my stories?"
A look of panic crossed Parker's face then she cleared her throat. "I lost my husband that day," she told him as she unconsciously fiddled with her bare left ring finger. "I almost lost my own life."
"You were in the towers?"
Parker looked like she was far away for a moment then focused back on him. "Yes," she said. "I debated on whether or not to include that date, but figured we could all learn from any stories gleaned." She leaned forward. "And I'm glad you got it because you are in a position to get some very interesting stories." She straightened back up. "But I've never told my story of that day before."
"I can find someone else," Sean said. "If it would be too hard."
"It'll be hard," she said. "But it needs to be done." She smiled. "If you can do it, then I can. Just let me know when."
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Sunday, October 22, 2017
"Does anybody have anything that didn't get covered during the main course?" Henry asked as he served himself a piece of the cake that Erin had brought for dessert.
"I do," Sean said.
Sean had been unusually quiet the last few Sundays, as if his thoughts had been elsewhere. "Go ahead," Frank told him.
"I have an assignment for school," Sean told them. "I have to interview people and get video about their story on a day in history."
"That sounds interesting," Nikki said. "What date?"
Sean looked uncomfortable and cleared his throat. "September 11th."
Silence.
"What's the assignment?" Jack asked, trying to act like the announcement hadn't been uncomfortable for adults in the assembled group.
Sean pulled out the assignment sheet and handed it to Henry. Henry read it aloud to everyone before looking up at his family.
"When's it due?" Frank asked.
"May," Sean replied. "It's a presentation. And everyone I ask to be in the video is invited to come see it presented."
"That leaves me out," Nikki said. "I just remember that everyone was sad all the time."
"That's more than me," Jack put in. "I was just a baby."
Sean looked to the rest of the family. "I'm in," Jamie said. "I was at college at Harvard."
"I'll do what I can," Erin said.
"I saw it out the window of the hospital when Betty was sick," Henry said. "I'm in."
"I have a story," Frank said. "Let me know when."
Sean looked to his father. "Dad?"
Danny grasped his son's shoulder then rubbed the back of his head. "Of course I'll help, Seannie," he said. "Whenever you want to do it."
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