Part 2
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 12: -- Authorities confirm that a car believed to belong to suspects in the attacks is confiscated in Boston, departure point for two of the four hijacked commercial airplanes. The car contained an Arabic-language flight manual. Investigators also raid two Boston-area hotels believed used by hijackers. Three suspects are detained but later released. -- Attorney General John Ashcroft says each of the four planes were hijacked by between three and six individuals who used knives and box cutters and, in some cases, made bomb threats. Some of the suspected hijackers also received pilot training in the United States, he says.
Scout rolled over and pounced on the alarm clock. "Sorry..." He said out loud. He looked toward Will's bed and the emptiness of it reminded him suddenly of the events of yesterday. He rubbed his face and threw off the covers of his bed. He reached for his cell phone and dialed his father's office number again. "I'm sorry all circuits are busy...please try your call again later." The automated operator's voice echoed in his ear. He dialed again, this time calling his mother.
She had frantically picked up the phone before the first ring had finished.
"Hi Mom. No, sorry...it's only me. I guess this means no word yet. Mmmmm, yeah. Okay. Did you get some sleep? Me either. Don't worry, it's gonna be fine. Yup. Take care of yourself too. Bye." Scout flipped the phone shut and placed it back on his night stand. He got out of bed, grabbed a towel and headed for the showers. He passed just a few students in the hallway, less than was usual for this time of the morning. He pushed the bathroom door open and rounded the corner into the shower area. On the floor by the first stall was a boy...lying motionless. "Jesus! Hey! are you okay?" Scout bent over the small freshman. He had seen him once before in the dining hall...but didn't know his name. Scout carefully turned the boy over on his back and looked at his face. His black hair, eyes slightly swollen and wet from his own tears...his light brown skin...the trickle of blood that came from his nose and lip.
"What happened?" Scout asked.
"They..." the boy swallowed to catch his breath, "they said it was all my fault." As if exhausted from the one sentence the boy rested his head back on the wet tile floor. Scout bunched up his towel and placed it beneath his head. The boy cringed and brought his knees up toward his chest and rolled to his side in a fetal position. "Can you walk?" The boy didn't answer. It was then that Scout noticed the large red and bluish bruises along his ribs. He had to have been kicked more than once..."Damn it!!" He called out. "Look, stay here, don't move around...I'll go find the nurse." At that moment David walked into the bathroom, towel slung over his shoulder. "Dave...come here. Do you know this kid?"
David looked at his bloodied face and nodded his head. "Chirayu Patel." He answered. "He's in my math class."
"Well, stay here with him for a minute while I go get some help." David stared at his fellow student and froze, then bent down and seated himself next to him on the floor.
"I'll be right back Chirayu." Scout said looking down on him.
The young man used what energy he left and lifted his own hand to reach for Scout's. Reflexively Scout took the young man's hand. "I...didin't...do...anything." He said breathlessly.
"Of course you didn't. Don't worry...just lie still." Scout took his hand back from the boy and set off toward the bathroom door in search of help.
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"Jake!" Hamilton pounded on her door. "Are you up?"
"Maybe she's in the shower?" Will suggested. Hamilton wiggled the door knob, hopping it would allow him entrance, but it was locked. "Jake!" He pounded on the door again.
"Will! Hamilton!" Finn called from the parking lot. "Over here." The boys looked toward the truck and saw Finn standing with the drivers door opened. "She's here."
"What took you guys so long?" She said as they climbed into the truck.
Hamilton sighed with relief upon seeing her. "Good morning to you too." He said.
"Let's get going."
"Did you get any sleep at all?" Will asked noticing the slightly darkened circles beneath her eyes.
"Enough."
"Are we going to eat first?" Hamilton questioned. The other three turned to look at him." What? I'm hungry."
"Some things never change." Will chuckled.
"And some things do." Jake said quietly.
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Scout finished showering and toweled himself off. He wrapped his towel around his waist and stepped out of the stall. He looked toward the place where Chirayu had been lying an hour ago and shook his head. Once he had dressed he planned to go down to the infirmary and check on him. He brushed his teeth, ran a comb through his hair and headed back to his room. As he opened the door to his dorm room he heard his cell phone ringing. He dived across the bed to answer it. "Hello? Hi Mom. What's up...what's wrong?" Suddenly his stomach turned. Fear. Anticipation. "What? No, I didn't call you. I was in the shower. What?" Scout pressed the phone to his ear hoping he would better here is hysterical mother. "Mom, calm down. I can't understand you. The phone rang...and what? There was no one there when you answered it." There was a pause. "Mom...settle yourself. Maybe it was Dad...maybe he's having trouble getting through. Maybe it was a wrong number." He wanted it to be good news...but at the same time he didn't want his mother getting her hopes up too high. "Maybe you better hang up...keep your line open in case he tries again. Okay...call me the minute you know something. Okay..." There was another long pause...and Scout pressed the phone harder against his ear to better hear his mother's weakened voice. "I love you too Mom." Scout hung up the phone. He inhaled and exhaled attempting to calm himself. He wanted to take the next bus to Greenwich and be with his mother but she had suggested that he stay at school in case his father arrived. Scout pulled on his un-ironed navy blue uniform pants and tucked the rumpled white shirt into them. He hung the tie around his neck and thoughts of Jake came to him as he effortlessly knotted his tie. He smiled for a moment, remembering where she was and what she was doing...his smile faded.
Scout walked down the hall to the stairwell. "Normalcy. That's what they said...do normal things." He muttered to himself. Going to class on a Wednesday morning was the normal thing for Scout to do. But today...he didn't feel normal. He walked through the Common Room and saw sets of students staring at the television. "Anything new?" Scout asked.
The boy that acknowledged him just shook his head. "No."
Scout stood for a moment and watched. Two young girls faces appeared on the screen. They held a photograph of a bearded man with a baby on his lap. "This is our Dad. His name is William Jacobson. He was working on the 97th floor of Tower One." The girl said between sobs. "If anyone has seen him..." The voice trailed off and another woman appeared on the screen. She looked worn and windblown. She carried a toddler on her left hip. Her eyes were swollen and red. She spoke calmly. She held her picture steady for the camera man. "His name is John Mahoney...he's my husband.
"Jesus." Scout's vision was interrupted. "It's like pictures on milk cartons. You don't pay any attention. You don't think that these people have wives and kids." Keith said sounding more cynical than concerned.
"But they do." Scout said thinking about his father again. Scout passed by the television set and headed toward the infirmary to check on Chirayu. The same nurse from this morning met him at the door.
"Hello Mr. Calhoun." She said.
"How's Chirayu?" He asked.
"We sent him into Saint Luke's about a half hour ago. The bruising on his ribs concerned me and he was having a little trouble breathing. He needs to be checked for internal injuries. You did a good job Scout. If he'd laid there much longer..who knows what might have happened."
"What about his parents?"
"I called them. They're on there way here to New Rawley."
"What happened to him. Who did that?"
"He doesn't know who they were. Seniors he thinks...someone who didn't like the color of his skin." The nurse replied.
"They didn't mind the color of his skin on Monday!" Scout said trying to sort it all out.
"No...they didn't. But now, everyone is looking for someone to blame."
"Is he really from Afghanistan?" Scout asked.
"No..." She shook her head. Chirayu is from Baltimore. He was born at Baltimore General Hospital. He is a US citizen just like you and me. His mother is an American. His father came here from India with his own parents when he was a child."
"Man..."
***********************************************************************
Finn's truck puttered along the Henry Hudson Parkway making record time for the vehicle. Hamilton forced the remains of an egg mcmuffin into his mouth and smiled contentedly. "You know...those things'll kill you." Will said, smiling at first...then realizing the inference...his smile faded and he turned uncomfortably in his seat to face the windshield.
The radio rehashed yesterdays events for all to hear. Finn lowered the volume and spoke over his shoulder in Jake's direction. "Central Park East...Central Park West...North Main...South Main...I don't know how you do it." He smiled and made another large loop through the city.
"There! The Met." Jake pointed to a parking garage to the left of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. At Jake's command, Finn turned the wheel sharply without signaling and pulled up onto the entrance ramp of the garage. Amidst a barrage of honks and beeps Finn stuck his hand out of the driver's side window and waved.
"Tough crowd..." He said.
"I don't think we're in New Rawley any more Toto..." Will said with a chuckle. Driving in a circular motion the old Chevy ascended the parking area slowly with all four heads in search of an empty spot. Finally nearing the top of the building Finn seized a space. He carefully pulled in and turned off the engine. The cab of the truck was silent for uncountable moments, each thinking similar thoughts. This could be the beginning of a much anticipated mother-daughter reunion or the start of a long and painful journey. Either way, they were here and they needed to get started. Breaking the silence Will opened the passenger door and stepped out. He pulled his seat forward and held the door allowing Jake to exit. "What about all the stuff in the back?" Will asked.
"It'll be okay." Finn said hoping that the devastation would somehow bring out man's humanity. "We'll look for someplace to drop it off." Jake remained silent. Hamilton reached into the bed of the truck and grabbed her backpack.
"I got this..." He said as he slung it over his right shoulder. He reached for her hand but she pulled it away and he understood.
"Wow...it looks so...different. I mean from the pictures we're used to seeing." Will stuttered as he looked through the garage opening toward the large builings that remained a part of the New York City skyline. "I mean I've never seen it for real. Up close."
"And now you never will." Hamilton muttered.
"You want to lead?" Finn said standing to face Jake.
"I just want to say..." She choked slightly on her words. "I want to tell you guys... that I really appreciate what you're doing, you didn't have to come...and no matter what..." Her eyes filled again as she steadied her voice. "I want you to know...thanks. That's it, just thanks" She inhaled and exhaled. It was much to early for her to give in to tears.
***********************************************************************
The four marched liked soldiers from the darkness of the parking garage into the sunlight of New York. The chaos depicted on television the night before did not greet them as they had anticipated. Instead...an almost eirily quiet enveloped them. "Wow...the Met." Hamilton whispered as he stared up at the massive structure. "My Mom's come here for conferences and stuff."
Jake guided the pack away from the museum and toward one of the entrances to Central Park. "This is so cool." Will said not really intending to sound excited, given the circumstances that brought him here, but in awe nevertheless of all New York City had to offer a "townie".
They jaunted down 82nd street and entered Central Park at the Engineer's Gate. Jake walked quickly and the others needed to double-time it just to keep up. They passed Belveder Castle and Hamilton turned and walked backwards a few steps just to keep it in his view. They were half way around the lake and heading for the ___________________ exit when Jake's pace finally slowed. "Any one need a break?" She asked slightly panting.
"Um...yeah. I could have used one about forty-five minutes ago." Finn chuckled.
"I had no idea that Central Park was this big...I thought it was like a...well, like a park." Will said as he sat on one of the benches.
Hamilton relaxed next to him taking Jake's back pack of his shoulder and rubbing at the back of his neck. He leaned back against the back of the bench., stretched out his legs and crossed his ankles. He looked up. "Man...it's still pretty dark." He said eluding to the dirt, dust and smoke that filled the sky. Jake paced in front of them. "Jake...come sit down. "Hamilton said as he moved his legs out of her path. "You said you wanted to rest."
"No...I figured you guys needed to rest." She grabbed her back pack from Hamilton's feet and searched for her wallet. Extracting a ten dollar bill she stood and looked around the park for one of the countless vendors that usually occupied space in the park. Today there were none. She saw a small convienence store on the corner and headed in that direction.
"Want me to come with you?" Hamilton called out. But Jake didn't respond. She kept walking.
"Maybe she didn't hear you." Will suggested.
"Yeah...maybe." Hamilton exhaled. "I don't know what to do for her. I don't know how to help."
"None of us do. I think being here...with her...helps. Imagine yourself in her shoes. What she must be thinking...how frightened she must be. If I lost my mother right now..." Will shook his head unable to finish the thought. "We'll find her mother...get back to Rawely and everything will be normal again. You'll see."
"You think things can be normal again?" Hamilton asked. Will said nothing.
Jake returned from the store. "Hardly anything is open." She said almost sounding surprised. "How are these businesses going to survive if they don't open?"
"It'll just be a day or two Jake...then everything will be back to normal." Will sounded almost convincing. Jake took a sip from the bottle of water she'd purchased and then handed it off to Hamilton.
"Thanks." He said taking a long welcomed swallow and then handing it to Will to do the same.
"Come on...let's get going." Jake slung the back pack on her own shoulder this time and headed away from the boys.
"Where's Finn?" Will asked. Hamilton made an "I don't know" kind of face and looked around.
"I have an idea." Jake said as she took an abrupt left leading the boys to through the maze of walkways and paths that make up Central Park. The beatiful Shakespeare's Garden is on the western slope leading up to Belvedere Castle. Finn was firmly planted as he gazed at the statue of his life long hero. Jake, Will and Hamilton entered the Garden and walked toward Finn. The flora in the garden had long passed. The cooler weather had withered much of the flowers and plantings. Birds chirped from each tree branch seemingly unaware of what had went on the day before. Plaques scattered throughout the Garden quote from the Bard's works.
Will noticed a plaque and bent over to see the lettering more clearly. "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." He smiled to himself as he drank in the words and made them his own.
Finn noticed the kids and read aloud from the plaque closest to him. "They that have the power to hurt, and will do none; they rightly do inherit heaven's graces."
"I thought we might find you here." Jake said, smiling for the first time today.
"What can I say...I'm predictable." Finn laughed. "It's beautiful here."
Jake looked at the plaque by her feet. "All that lives mus die, passing through nature to eternity. Makes you remember what's on the other side of the wall doesn't it?." The smile left her face.
Without the aid of a plaque Finn responded from memory, "Praising what is lost, makes the remembrance dear."
Hamilton had wandered further into the Garden detaching himself from the group briefly. He still felt sad that he couldn't comfort Jake as he had wanted to. He recalled Will's words and agreed that being here...with her...is what's important. His toe bumped the edge of a large rock that was planted in the ground. The plaque itself was mostly tarnished green and could easily have been missed amongst summer's greenery and autumn's foliage. "She looked yesternight fairer than ever I saw her look, or any woman else." Hamilton sighed and returned to the group.
"We should get going." Jake said with her usual impatience.
"Thank you for humoring me." Finn added. They walked toward the gate that surrounded Shakespeare's Garden and each slowed their pace and silently read the final bronze plaque at the exit. "My blessings go with thee."
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WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 12: -- Authorities confirm that a car believed to belong to suspects in the attacks is confiscated in Boston, departure point for two of the four hijacked commercial airplanes. The car contained an Arabic-language flight manual. Investigators also raid two Boston-area hotels believed used by hijackers. Three suspects are detained but later released. -- Attorney General John Ashcroft says each of the four planes were hijacked by between three and six individuals who used knives and box cutters and, in some cases, made bomb threats. Some of the suspected hijackers also received pilot training in the United States, he says.
Scout rolled over and pounced on the alarm clock. "Sorry..." He said out loud. He looked toward Will's bed and the emptiness of it reminded him suddenly of the events of yesterday. He rubbed his face and threw off the covers of his bed. He reached for his cell phone and dialed his father's office number again. "I'm sorry all circuits are busy...please try your call again later." The automated operator's voice echoed in his ear. He dialed again, this time calling his mother.
She had frantically picked up the phone before the first ring had finished.
"Hi Mom. No, sorry...it's only me. I guess this means no word yet. Mmmmm, yeah. Okay. Did you get some sleep? Me either. Don't worry, it's gonna be fine. Yup. Take care of yourself too. Bye." Scout flipped the phone shut and placed it back on his night stand. He got out of bed, grabbed a towel and headed for the showers. He passed just a few students in the hallway, less than was usual for this time of the morning. He pushed the bathroom door open and rounded the corner into the shower area. On the floor by the first stall was a boy...lying motionless. "Jesus! Hey! are you okay?" Scout bent over the small freshman. He had seen him once before in the dining hall...but didn't know his name. Scout carefully turned the boy over on his back and looked at his face. His black hair, eyes slightly swollen and wet from his own tears...his light brown skin...the trickle of blood that came from his nose and lip.
"What happened?" Scout asked.
"They..." the boy swallowed to catch his breath, "they said it was all my fault." As if exhausted from the one sentence the boy rested his head back on the wet tile floor. Scout bunched up his towel and placed it beneath his head. The boy cringed and brought his knees up toward his chest and rolled to his side in a fetal position. "Can you walk?" The boy didn't answer. It was then that Scout noticed the large red and bluish bruises along his ribs. He had to have been kicked more than once..."Damn it!!" He called out. "Look, stay here, don't move around...I'll go find the nurse." At that moment David walked into the bathroom, towel slung over his shoulder. "Dave...come here. Do you know this kid?"
David looked at his bloodied face and nodded his head. "Chirayu Patel." He answered. "He's in my math class."
"Well, stay here with him for a minute while I go get some help." David stared at his fellow student and froze, then bent down and seated himself next to him on the floor.
"I'll be right back Chirayu." Scout said looking down on him.
The young man used what energy he left and lifted his own hand to reach for Scout's. Reflexively Scout took the young man's hand. "I...didin't...do...anything." He said breathlessly.
"Of course you didn't. Don't worry...just lie still." Scout took his hand back from the boy and set off toward the bathroom door in search of help.
***********************************************************************
"Jake!" Hamilton pounded on her door. "Are you up?"
"Maybe she's in the shower?" Will suggested. Hamilton wiggled the door knob, hopping it would allow him entrance, but it was locked. "Jake!" He pounded on the door again.
"Will! Hamilton!" Finn called from the parking lot. "Over here." The boys looked toward the truck and saw Finn standing with the drivers door opened. "She's here."
"What took you guys so long?" She said as they climbed into the truck.
Hamilton sighed with relief upon seeing her. "Good morning to you too." He said.
"Let's get going."
"Did you get any sleep at all?" Will asked noticing the slightly darkened circles beneath her eyes.
"Enough."
"Are we going to eat first?" Hamilton questioned. The other three turned to look at him." What? I'm hungry."
"Some things never change." Will chuckled.
"And some things do." Jake said quietly.
***********************************************************************
Scout finished showering and toweled himself off. He wrapped his towel around his waist and stepped out of the stall. He looked toward the place where Chirayu had been lying an hour ago and shook his head. Once he had dressed he planned to go down to the infirmary and check on him. He brushed his teeth, ran a comb through his hair and headed back to his room. As he opened the door to his dorm room he heard his cell phone ringing. He dived across the bed to answer it. "Hello? Hi Mom. What's up...what's wrong?" Suddenly his stomach turned. Fear. Anticipation. "What? No, I didn't call you. I was in the shower. What?" Scout pressed the phone to his ear hoping he would better here is hysterical mother. "Mom, calm down. I can't understand you. The phone rang...and what? There was no one there when you answered it." There was a pause. "Mom...settle yourself. Maybe it was Dad...maybe he's having trouble getting through. Maybe it was a wrong number." He wanted it to be good news...but at the same time he didn't want his mother getting her hopes up too high. "Maybe you better hang up...keep your line open in case he tries again. Okay...call me the minute you know something. Okay..." There was another long pause...and Scout pressed the phone harder against his ear to better hear his mother's weakened voice. "I love you too Mom." Scout hung up the phone. He inhaled and exhaled attempting to calm himself. He wanted to take the next bus to Greenwich and be with his mother but she had suggested that he stay at school in case his father arrived. Scout pulled on his un-ironed navy blue uniform pants and tucked the rumpled white shirt into them. He hung the tie around his neck and thoughts of Jake came to him as he effortlessly knotted his tie. He smiled for a moment, remembering where she was and what she was doing...his smile faded.
Scout walked down the hall to the stairwell. "Normalcy. That's what they said...do normal things." He muttered to himself. Going to class on a Wednesday morning was the normal thing for Scout to do. But today...he didn't feel normal. He walked through the Common Room and saw sets of students staring at the television. "Anything new?" Scout asked.
The boy that acknowledged him just shook his head. "No."
Scout stood for a moment and watched. Two young girls faces appeared on the screen. They held a photograph of a bearded man with a baby on his lap. "This is our Dad. His name is William Jacobson. He was working on the 97th floor of Tower One." The girl said between sobs. "If anyone has seen him..." The voice trailed off and another woman appeared on the screen. She looked worn and windblown. She carried a toddler on her left hip. Her eyes were swollen and red. She spoke calmly. She held her picture steady for the camera man. "His name is John Mahoney...he's my husband.
"Jesus." Scout's vision was interrupted. "It's like pictures on milk cartons. You don't pay any attention. You don't think that these people have wives and kids." Keith said sounding more cynical than concerned.
"But they do." Scout said thinking about his father again. Scout passed by the television set and headed toward the infirmary to check on Chirayu. The same nurse from this morning met him at the door.
"Hello Mr. Calhoun." She said.
"How's Chirayu?" He asked.
"We sent him into Saint Luke's about a half hour ago. The bruising on his ribs concerned me and he was having a little trouble breathing. He needs to be checked for internal injuries. You did a good job Scout. If he'd laid there much longer..who knows what might have happened."
"What about his parents?"
"I called them. They're on there way here to New Rawley."
"What happened to him. Who did that?"
"He doesn't know who they were. Seniors he thinks...someone who didn't like the color of his skin." The nurse replied.
"They didn't mind the color of his skin on Monday!" Scout said trying to sort it all out.
"No...they didn't. But now, everyone is looking for someone to blame."
"Is he really from Afghanistan?" Scout asked.
"No..." She shook her head. Chirayu is from Baltimore. He was born at Baltimore General Hospital. He is a US citizen just like you and me. His mother is an American. His father came here from India with his own parents when he was a child."
"Man..."
***********************************************************************
Finn's truck puttered along the Henry Hudson Parkway making record time for the vehicle. Hamilton forced the remains of an egg mcmuffin into his mouth and smiled contentedly. "You know...those things'll kill you." Will said, smiling at first...then realizing the inference...his smile faded and he turned uncomfortably in his seat to face the windshield.
The radio rehashed yesterdays events for all to hear. Finn lowered the volume and spoke over his shoulder in Jake's direction. "Central Park East...Central Park West...North Main...South Main...I don't know how you do it." He smiled and made another large loop through the city.
"There! The Met." Jake pointed to a parking garage to the left of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. At Jake's command, Finn turned the wheel sharply without signaling and pulled up onto the entrance ramp of the garage. Amidst a barrage of honks and beeps Finn stuck his hand out of the driver's side window and waved.
"Tough crowd..." He said.
"I don't think we're in New Rawley any more Toto..." Will said with a chuckle. Driving in a circular motion the old Chevy ascended the parking area slowly with all four heads in search of an empty spot. Finally nearing the top of the building Finn seized a space. He carefully pulled in and turned off the engine. The cab of the truck was silent for uncountable moments, each thinking similar thoughts. This could be the beginning of a much anticipated mother-daughter reunion or the start of a long and painful journey. Either way, they were here and they needed to get started. Breaking the silence Will opened the passenger door and stepped out. He pulled his seat forward and held the door allowing Jake to exit. "What about all the stuff in the back?" Will asked.
"It'll be okay." Finn said hoping that the devastation would somehow bring out man's humanity. "We'll look for someplace to drop it off." Jake remained silent. Hamilton reached into the bed of the truck and grabbed her backpack.
"I got this..." He said as he slung it over his right shoulder. He reached for her hand but she pulled it away and he understood.
"Wow...it looks so...different. I mean from the pictures we're used to seeing." Will stuttered as he looked through the garage opening toward the large builings that remained a part of the New York City skyline. "I mean I've never seen it for real. Up close."
"And now you never will." Hamilton muttered.
"You want to lead?" Finn said standing to face Jake.
"I just want to say..." She choked slightly on her words. "I want to tell you guys... that I really appreciate what you're doing, you didn't have to come...and no matter what..." Her eyes filled again as she steadied her voice. "I want you to know...thanks. That's it, just thanks" She inhaled and exhaled. It was much to early for her to give in to tears.
***********************************************************************
The four marched liked soldiers from the darkness of the parking garage into the sunlight of New York. The chaos depicted on television the night before did not greet them as they had anticipated. Instead...an almost eirily quiet enveloped them. "Wow...the Met." Hamilton whispered as he stared up at the massive structure. "My Mom's come here for conferences and stuff."
Jake guided the pack away from the museum and toward one of the entrances to Central Park. "This is so cool." Will said not really intending to sound excited, given the circumstances that brought him here, but in awe nevertheless of all New York City had to offer a "townie".
They jaunted down 82nd street and entered Central Park at the Engineer's Gate. Jake walked quickly and the others needed to double-time it just to keep up. They passed Belveder Castle and Hamilton turned and walked backwards a few steps just to keep it in his view. They were half way around the lake and heading for the ___________________ exit when Jake's pace finally slowed. "Any one need a break?" She asked slightly panting.
"Um...yeah. I could have used one about forty-five minutes ago." Finn chuckled.
"I had no idea that Central Park was this big...I thought it was like a...well, like a park." Will said as he sat on one of the benches.
Hamilton relaxed next to him taking Jake's back pack of his shoulder and rubbing at the back of his neck. He leaned back against the back of the bench., stretched out his legs and crossed his ankles. He looked up. "Man...it's still pretty dark." He said eluding to the dirt, dust and smoke that filled the sky. Jake paced in front of them. "Jake...come sit down. "Hamilton said as he moved his legs out of her path. "You said you wanted to rest."
"No...I figured you guys needed to rest." She grabbed her back pack from Hamilton's feet and searched for her wallet. Extracting a ten dollar bill she stood and looked around the park for one of the countless vendors that usually occupied space in the park. Today there were none. She saw a small convienence store on the corner and headed in that direction.
"Want me to come with you?" Hamilton called out. But Jake didn't respond. She kept walking.
"Maybe she didn't hear you." Will suggested.
"Yeah...maybe." Hamilton exhaled. "I don't know what to do for her. I don't know how to help."
"None of us do. I think being here...with her...helps. Imagine yourself in her shoes. What she must be thinking...how frightened she must be. If I lost my mother right now..." Will shook his head unable to finish the thought. "We'll find her mother...get back to Rawely and everything will be normal again. You'll see."
"You think things can be normal again?" Hamilton asked. Will said nothing.
Jake returned from the store. "Hardly anything is open." She said almost sounding surprised. "How are these businesses going to survive if they don't open?"
"It'll just be a day or two Jake...then everything will be back to normal." Will sounded almost convincing. Jake took a sip from the bottle of water she'd purchased and then handed it off to Hamilton.
"Thanks." He said taking a long welcomed swallow and then handing it to Will to do the same.
"Come on...let's get going." Jake slung the back pack on her own shoulder this time and headed away from the boys.
"Where's Finn?" Will asked. Hamilton made an "I don't know" kind of face and looked around.
"I have an idea." Jake said as she took an abrupt left leading the boys to through the maze of walkways and paths that make up Central Park. The beatiful Shakespeare's Garden is on the western slope leading up to Belvedere Castle. Finn was firmly planted as he gazed at the statue of his life long hero. Jake, Will and Hamilton entered the Garden and walked toward Finn. The flora in the garden had long passed. The cooler weather had withered much of the flowers and plantings. Birds chirped from each tree branch seemingly unaware of what had went on the day before. Plaques scattered throughout the Garden quote from the Bard's works.
Will noticed a plaque and bent over to see the lettering more clearly. "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." He smiled to himself as he drank in the words and made them his own.
Finn noticed the kids and read aloud from the plaque closest to him. "They that have the power to hurt, and will do none; they rightly do inherit heaven's graces."
"I thought we might find you here." Jake said, smiling for the first time today.
"What can I say...I'm predictable." Finn laughed. "It's beautiful here."
Jake looked at the plaque by her feet. "All that lives mus die, passing through nature to eternity. Makes you remember what's on the other side of the wall doesn't it?." The smile left her face.
Without the aid of a plaque Finn responded from memory, "Praising what is lost, makes the remembrance dear."
Hamilton had wandered further into the Garden detaching himself from the group briefly. He still felt sad that he couldn't comfort Jake as he had wanted to. He recalled Will's words and agreed that being here...with her...is what's important. His toe bumped the edge of a large rock that was planted in the ground. The plaque itself was mostly tarnished green and could easily have been missed amongst summer's greenery and autumn's foliage. "She looked yesternight fairer than ever I saw her look, or any woman else." Hamilton sighed and returned to the group.
"We should get going." Jake said with her usual impatience.
"Thank you for humoring me." Finn added. They walked toward the gate that surrounded Shakespeare's Garden and each slowed their pace and silently read the final bronze plaque at the exit. "My blessings go with thee."
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