Where were you when the world stopped turning, on that September day?

Were you in the yard with your wife and children?

Or working on some stage in L.A.?

Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke

Risin' against that blue sky?

Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor

Or did you just sit down and cry?

Temperance was silent as her small radio played the famous song. She telepathically turned it up a bit. She was sitting on her crappy couch, her legs crossed. She wore flannel pajama pants, a baggy NASCAR T-Shirt, and one sock was on her foot. Her white-blonde hair was messy, tangeled, and oily. She wore no make-up, and you could see the purple bags under her eyes.

Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones

And pray for the ones who don't know?

Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble

And sob for the ones left below?

Did you burst out with pride for the red, white and blue

And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?

Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer

And look at yourself and what really matters?

Temperance reached for her bottle of whiskey, drinking it straight from the bottle. She chugged, and slammed it down on her wobbly coffee table. Shakily, she reached for the pack of ciggarettes on the table. She pulled one out, and her lighter shook in her hand as she attemped to light it. She finally got it and took a deep drag off of it.

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us

And the greatest is love

A tear slipped down Temperance's face, and she looked around her terrible apartment. The paint was peeling, the windows didn't open, there was no heat or air conditioning, the carpet had several questionable stains, the stove didn't always work, and when the train went by it shook the whole apartment.

But it was all she could afford right now. Her parents wanted to wire her money, but she wanted no part of that. She wanted to handle herself.

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?

Were you teaching a class full of innocent children

Or driving down some cold interstate?

Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor

In a crowded room did you feel alone?

Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?

Did you dust off that Bible at home?

Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened

Close your eyes and not go to sleep?

Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages

Or speak to some stranger on the street?

Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow

Or go out and buy you a gun?

Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'

And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?

There was a knock on the door, and Temperance ignored it, putting out her smoke and grabbing her whiskey bottle.

"Temperance? Are you in there? It's Jean."

Temperance just took another long drink of her whiskey, ignoring Jean.

"Temperance, I just thought you could use someone to talk to. Listen, I know things have been rough. It's happened to me, too."

Temperance stood, walking over to the door, swaying slightly as she opened the door.

"Oh," Jean said. "Oh, you poor baby."

"I don't need your sympathy," Temperance slurred.

"No, you need my help." Jean pushed past her, heading for the kitchen. She wet a rag, and pressed Temperance onto the couch. She layed the rag on Temperances head.

"You don't have to live like this," Jean told her.

"What do you care?" Temperance choked. "You don't even like me."

"That's not true."

"You hate my mother. And when you looked at me, you see her. That's all you see."

Jean pulled back a little."Right now, I do see Emma," she said. "But at her weakest. When she was like this. The rest of the time. . ." She stroked some of Temperance's hair back. "I see your father." She picked up her coat. "Be careful Temperance. You always have a home with us." She left.

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers

Did you stand in line and give your own blood?

Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family

Thank God you had somebody to love?

Temperance swiped away some sweat on her forehead, and took another drink. Her vision started to fail, everything swimming in front of her.

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell

You the difference in Iraq and Iran

Temperance could barley hear the song now, it was just echoing in her head. Everything swirled around her.

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us

And the greatest is love . . .

And the greatest is love . . .

And the greatest is love . . .

And the greatest is love, Temperance agreed in her head. But only is you have someone who thinks you are worth this great love.

Temperance felt tears welling in her eyes, but she didn't take notice. She was finally enclosed in darkness as she passed out.