Sunny Day, September Fury
Part II: Prequel to a Tragedy
Author: Robbie, gigglgrl26@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: This Christmas while vacationing with family, I'm told a very curious story which goes as follows. When I was little, I met a team of people who wanted to make a television show. I told them I had an idea about a show about an emergency room in Chicago focusing on the people and the patients. In 1994, they teamed up with Warner Brother, NBC, etc… and "created" what today is ER. So I'm thinking, isn't ER really mine? . . . Uh oh, you don't mean to tell me my family was kidding again do you? Oh well, once again I am fooled and nobody in this story belongs to me.
Spoilers: Such Sweet Sorrow and events leading up to it
PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE CONTINUING:
Authors Note: This story deals with a very sensitive topic, and as I write it, I'm not even sure I should be doing so. I in no way want to convey any sort of message, so please don't read into this too much. September 11, 2001 was truly a day that has affected me and so many others in so many ways, both good and bad. If this piece of fiction offends you in any way, please let me know. The object is not to be offensive, rather my own pathetic way of making something horrible into something that I can deal with by taking characters I know and love and placing them into a situation that is totally alien to me. We each cope in our own ways and this is my way of creating a sort of memorial. My condolences are with anybody who suffered a loss in any way from this tragedy. Remember, in the face of the attacks on America, we can only grow stronger, God Bless America.
In essence, this piece of fiction is a dedication and remembrance to all that perished on that fateful day, September 11, 2001. This is for you . . .
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Monday September 10, 2001
As rain poured down outside in sheer torrents of cascading water, the Ross household bustled with activity. Amid the chaos, Carol stood by the large window in the master bedroom tranquilly watching as raindrops pelted down upon the lake in their backyard. She watched as each tiny droplet created a small disturbance that lead to a little splash. Soon, the appearance of hundreds of thousands of little dancing army men making their way along the surface of the lake could be seen.
"Carol?" A deep, resonating voice called from a distance. She could hear footsteps coming closer and closer. Her heart began to pound in her chest.
Doug's face appeared in the doorway. "There you are." He smiled. A long, pleasant smile that gradually spread across his face, lighting up his eyes and leaving little creases at the corners of his mouth.
She turned to look at him. The very sight of his smiling face ushered a warm glow into her body. "Have you finished packing?"
"As a matter of fact, I was just going to come and ask you if you knew where my shoes are. Y'know, the black dress up shoes."
"Doug," she admonished teasingly with a smile playing at her lips. "You're 40 years old, and still calling them dress up shoes?"
"Hey now. That's what I use them for, isn't it? I'd rather just spend the day in a good old pair of sneakers." There was that smile again. The playful grin she was sure he reserved for her eyes only.
"Somehow I don't think the head of this committee would approve of you showing up in sweats. Not to mention your boss …" Carol rose meticulously from her perch on the window seat, heaving herself to a standing position. Doug raised his eyebrows.
"In that case, do you know where I could hook myself up with a pair, my beloved?" She nodded mockingly, and let her own grin engulf the stolid features of her face.
"Did you check the closet, Doug?"
"I didn't. But you know what? I'm beginning to think that might have been a good place to start." Walking over in a couple of short steps, Carol opened the double doors of the spacious wardrobe.
She poked her head inside and kneeled down. Her muffled voice cut through the mess. "These?" Carol's head emerged from the masses of clothing, shoes, and other accessories.
Doug swept her into his arms, and set a passionate kiss upon her lips. "I knew there was a good reason I married you."
Carol glared at him and playfully smacked his butt. "Go finish packing, Doug."
"Can you hand me a suitcase from the closet there?"
Carol laughed. "So you mean to tell me you haven't started yet, huh?"
"I would say that accurately sums things up." She was still wrapped up in his embrace; relishing in the feel of his strong arms around her slight figure. Carol's eyes drifted upwards and met his. Two sets of eyes inexplicably connected to each other, connecting straight through to the very souls of their owners.
"Kiss me" Carol murmured, drawing closer to his face. Doug leaned down as their lips met; sweetly, slowly, savoring the moment. They'd long since passed the stage where a kiss was a hungry passionate moment: a stolen moment between two horny teenagers. And reached a phase of their lives where each kiss was a savory moment between two people who were in love. Two people, who knew they would spend the rest of their lives with each other.
When they pulled apart, her face was flushed. Their hearts seemed to beat in unison, a symbol of their undying love. "I'm going to miss you Doug." Carol's breath hitched in her throat as she swallowed the wave of tears about to rise.
Doug's face was still close up against hers. "I'll only be gone for a few days. You'll spend some quality time with your mom and the girls. Before you know it, I'll be back."
Her eyes were closed, still leaning the soft folds of fabric around his shoulder. "I know. I'm being unreasonable." She paused to take a breath and rid the shakiness from her voice. "We haven't been apart for more than twenty-four hours since I came to Seattle, Doug. And even then, you were only twenty minutes away at the hospital."
"Honey …" Doug's body tensed up.
Carol shook her head and pulled away. "You need to finish packing. I'll be okay."
Doug nodded and looked towards the closet. "You're sure."
"Yeah. I'm going to go help my mom with dinner."
Before she even reached the doorway, Helen's distinctive voice resonated through the house. "Doug! Carol! Dinner is ready."
Carol's face softened into a smile as she motioned Doug to come with her. Doug wrapped his arm around her waist and they began to make their way downstairs.
At the first step, a shriek coursed through the lower half of the house. "Mine!" Carol rolled her eyes and began to jog down the stairs to rescue her mother from the wrath of fighting toddlers.
She stepped over the threshold into the family room to find Tess' chubby fingers wrapped around the leg of a stuffed brown teddy bear. The only problem was the fingers of her sister eagerly grasping the same bear's head. "Kate. Tess," Carol reprimanded. "Let go. It's dinner time." She held out an inviting hand. "Come on, Nana and Daddy are waiting."
"Bear!" Tess cried indignantly.
"No Sweet, come to dinner." Kate obliged, letting go of the fuzzy brown head. She stood up on wobbly feet, and toddled over to Carol. Like a seesaw effect, Tess fell to the ground, her bottom landing with a thump. For a moment, her eyes widened in shock before the chocolaty brown eyes filled with tears and she began to wail.
Saving the day, Doug ran into the room and to her side. "C'mere Tess baby. Shhh …" He lifted her up into his arms and began to rub her back. "What happened?" he mouthed to Carol, who stood rooted to the spot holding Kate back.
"She fell." Carol mouthed in return. She shrugged. He reciprocated, stopping to murmur comforting words into Tess' ear.
Within ten minutes, both girls were happy again. Their fight forgotten, they were best friends once again, babbling baby-nonsense to each other. The family of five sat down at the table to a dinner of chicken parmesan made by Helen.
"What time is your flight this evening, Doug?" Helen inquired between bites of the chicken.
"It leaves at 8:04. This means we should plan on being at the airport around 6:30."
"I guess we need to leave in about an hour then, Doug," Carol commented. "Ma, are you going to want to come with the girls or should I take Doug myself?"
"It's up to you, Carol." She turned to Doug. "Would you like some more?"
"Ah. No thanks, Helen. I need to go finish my packing if I'm ever going to make it out of here." Doug pushed his seat back from the table and stood up. "Dinner was delicious, though."
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The three adults sat in the crowed airport, waiting for Doug's flight to be called. The twins, for once, sat serenely in the double stroller, amusing themselves. An announcement came over the speaker. Doug rose from the leather seat. "That's my flight."
Helen followed suit, rising from her own chair. "It's been good seeing you again, Doug. Have a nice trip, and take care of my daughter and grandchildren."
Doug smiled briefly at Carol before pulling Helen into a friendly embrace. "Always."
He leaned down to the twins in the stroller. "Girls. Daddy is going away for a couple of days, but I'll be back soon, okay?" Tess giggled, and took his face in her hands. He leaned inward and planted a soft kiss on each of their foreheads. "Be good for Mommy and Nana, okay? Daddy loves you very much. I'll call you, okay? We'll talk tomorrow night on the phone."
"Phone!" Kate's eyes lit up and she clapped happily. Doug gave her a last pat on the head and turned to Carol.
"I guess this is it, huh?" Carol nodded, obviously trying to compose herself as she struggled not to burst into tears. "I'll be home on Wednesday evening, it's not long."
"Promise me you'll call as soon as you get there. I don't care what time it is. Call."
Doug nodded and wrapped his arms around Carol. "I love you, Carol. This isn't goodbye. I'll see you Wednesday."
"I know," she whispered into his shoulder. "Wednesday. I love you, Doug."
They shared a brief kiss and he turned away to walk towards the plane entranceway. "Da," Tess yelled, waving her hand.
Carol took her out of the stroller and into her arms. "Wave bye-bye to Daddy, Sweety." Halfway down the walkway, Doug turned around for a fleeting glance of his family waving. With a sigh, he turned around and continued to walk away, the distance between them rising with each step.
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