Disclaimer: Hi. I sat down to write another From the Radio story, and I had a hard time picking something. In light of the September 11th attacks last year (this was written last December) I decided to use The Dance, by the MAN, Garth Brooks. It's about life, and that's what I hope I conveyed. This is the eleventh story in From the Radio. Anyway, be prepared to cry.
The Dance
By Jacey
Lookin back
on the memory of the
dance we shared neath
the stars above
For a moment, all the world
was right how could I
have known that you'd ever say goodbye?
Jason Lucas Scott stood in the aftermath of the WTC and sighed. It was so expansive, and he knew the chances of finding his friend Tommy alive was hopeless. Despite all this madness, The Dance kept running through his mind. He knew it wasn't crazy of him. It was about life, and he knew the world was going to keep turning. It hurt that they'd lost a firefighter in Tommy, but Jason knew that they'd have to go on with life. He softly hummed as he donned his firefighter helmet and entered the fray.
And I, I'm glad
I didn't know
the way it all would end,
the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance
I coulda missed the pain
But I'da had to miss
the dance
Jason's wife Kimberly Scott stared out at the street three days after the attack. She would rather have Jason at home with her, but he was out searching for victims. And Tommy. She knew in her heart that Tommy was gone, she didn't need anyone to tell her that. She sighed as The Dance lyrics struck her head. She and her husband always thought of it in times of trouble, so they could go on. She knew it would help her now.
Holding you,
I held everything
For a moment,
wasn't I the king
But if I'd only known how
the king would fall
Well then whose to say
You know I might have changed it all
Katherine Oliver stood in the firehouse where her husband Tommy worked. She knew he'd never step in this place again. In her heart, that is. Her mind still held thoughts of his coming home to her. She knew Jason must be killing himself. Jason had been Tommy's best friend. Since they'd been seventeen. Like her two best friends, she thought of The Dance. She knew it by heart, and she also knew try as she could, it wouldn't help her much. How could she think of life when Tommy was gone?
And I, I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end,
the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance
I couldn't miss the pain
but I'da had to miss
the dance
Zack Taylor reached his house. He yanked his helmet off and waited for the patter of little feet he knew would be coming. His wife Aisha would be worried sick about him. He'd called her on the day it happened, but he hadn't been home yet. He worked with Jason and Tommy at the firehouse, and everyone was accounted for except Tommy. He wiped his eyes and felt connected with his friends as the same song drifted through his mind. He knew they'd need its power to get through the next few weeks/months/years, whatever it took to get over Tommy's death, plus everyone else they'd lost, and everyone they'd known and loved in the firhouses throughout NYC. Zack knew the whole world needed The Dance.

Author's note: This story is for all who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks. I wish it hadn't happened, but no one can change the past. Our country will never be the same. But like the song says, we've got to take the chances, and go on. If we don't, we'd have to miss the dance. Life is the dance, ladies and gentlemen, and we don't want to miss it for the world. We have to live life like it's the last day we ever have. And have faith in God, and that he'll see us through another day.