*******************************
CHAPTER EIGHT:
Isabel came strolling into the Crashdown diner, hoping to grab a quick lunch before hitting the books and studying for a major exam for one of her classes. She hadn't been in the diner for a while, because she was worried she might see Alex there. Confronting him was just not something she was ready to do yet.
Isabel was having mixed feelings about what to do. She had been out on two dates with Jessie Ramirez, and liked him. But, she still loved Alex, and part of her missed him. Until she figured out just what she wanted to do, Isabel was avoiding Alex. But, she knew through Michael and Max that Alex was in New York this weekend for the competition, so he wouldn't be at the Crashdown.
"Hey, Isabel!" said Kyle, sitting at the counter eating a hamburger. "Care to sit with a grease monkey?"
Isabel smiled and came over to sit next to Kyle, who was on lunch break from his job at the garage. "Just for a minute," she said. "I'm getting my order to go."
"What'll it be?" asked Maria from behind the counter.
"Just a tuna melt," she said. "To go."
"Okay, coming right up," said Maria, going to put in the order.
"So, how have you been?" asked Kyle. "Haven't seen you around."
"I've been busy," she said.
"Busy avoiding Alex, I'd bet," he said, taking a bite of his burger.
"Yeah, well, he asked for that," said Isabel. "I still can't believe he put his paper ahead of me. I really needed his support."
"Oh, I see," said Kyle. "So, that means that you are physically or emotionally damaged, permanently, because you went to Colorado when Max and Liz where in jail, and Alex wasn't there to support you? Funny, I didn't notice."
"No, I mean...I got through it," said Isabel. "But...I was really scared and upset, and Alex just..."
"Look, Isabel," said Kyle. "Let me ask you something. Did Alex act like he didn't care that you were upset or worried about Max and Liz?"
"Well, no," said Isabel. "He said I could call him if I needed to talk to him."
"So, he was basically telling you that he would have really liked to have gone with you, but there was something that was preventing him from doing so," said Kyle.
"Yeah, a paper and presentation for some conference..." said Isabel.
"That is giving him a chance to go to New York, compete nationally, gain recognition for his intelligence and ability, and maybe a full college scholarship," said Kyle. "That's a big thing for Alex. Isabel, you have always gotten noticed because of the way you look. You have always been popular, even though you keep your secret hidden. Alex is different. He's always been the geek, the guy who went unnoticed. Nobody gave him much of a second thought. Until he was brought into your little alien conspiracy. It made him feel important, needed. Then, you becoming close with him made him feel needed even more. But, this competition...this was a chance for him to shine on his own, stand on his own two feet. It was an opportunity to win confidence in himself, to shine for who he is, not just because he is YOUR boyfriend, or part of some ultra-secret society. And you acted like you didn't care about the fact that you were asking him to walk away from that chance."
"So you are saying its all my fault," said Isabel.
"Here's your tuna melt," said Maria. "That'll be $6.50 at the register."
"Thanks, Maria," said Isabel.
"Isabel, I'm not saying its all your fault," said Kyle. "I think you both said some things. But let me ask you this. How would you feel if Alex won the national competition?"
"Proud of him," said Isabel.
"Why?" asked Kyle.
"Because he's worked really hard on it," said Isabel. "And he DOES deserve a chance to shine, to be recognized. I see how special he is, but it would be nice for others to see it."
"Why would you care?" asked Kyle.
Isabel smiled. "Because I love him," she said.
Kyle smiled, taking a bite of some fries.
Isabel leaned over and kissed Kyle on the cheek. "Thank you," she said. "For talking some sense into me."
"No problem," said Kyle.
"When does Alex get back again?" asked Isabel.
"Tuesday," said Kyle. "He's flying out of New York on Tuesday morning. He'll be back that evening."
"I'll talk to him when he gets back then," said Isabel.
**
It was Tuesday morning, around 7AM, and Isabel Evans was fast asleep in her bed. Her first class of the day wasn't until 11AM, and she had completed her reading assignment for the class the night before. One of the benefits of being a college student was having classes at later times of the day sometimes, allowing you to sleep in at least on some mornings.
But Isabel's sleep was broken by the ringing of her phone. Slowly, she came to consciousness, groaning as she reached for the phone to stop the incessant noise of its ring.
"Hello," she said groggily.
"Isabel," said a voice on the other line.
"Max," she said. "Its seven in the morning. What..."
"Do you have the TV on?" asked Max, a strange tone to his voice.
"I was sleeping, Max, why would I..."
"Turn it on," said Max.
"What? What is it?" she asked, reaching for the remote to her TV set.
"Just turn it on, you'll see," said Max.
"What channel?" she asked.
"Any channel," said Max.
Isabel turned on the television, and the picture slowly came into view on the screen. The channel was tuned to one of the network stations, and it looked to Isabel like there was news coverage of some kind of explosion or fire. Then, she recognized the building that was on fire.
"That's the World Trade Center, isn't it?" asked Isabel.
"Yeah," said Max. "A plane crashed into it about a half-an-hour ago."
"What?" asked Isabel. "What kind of plane?"
"There not sure," said Max. "But they are already saying it might be a terrorist attack."
"My God," she said. "I've got to tell Mom and Dad. I'll call you back."
She hung up the phone, and went into the hallway. She heard the sound of a television on in the living room, and found her parents already there and watching the events unfold on the screen.
"Isabel," said Mrs. Evans. "You wouldn't believe..."
"Max called me, woke me up," she said. "I saw on my TV."
"They're still trying to piece together what happened," said Mr. Evans. "But a lot of people have to be dead, considering the amount of damage done to that building."
The three of them sat there, and watched the events unfold for a while. Then, a while later, they're faces began to reflect the sheer horror of what they were feeling upon seeing what happened next.
"That plane, it...OH MY GOD!" said Mrs. Evans.
A second plane crashed into the other World Trade Center tower. Isabel immediately picked up the phone to dial Max. The phone was already ringing before she could dial.
"Isabel, did you see..." said Max, on the other line.
"Yes," said Isabel. "We all did! My God, Max, what the hell is happening?"
"That was definitely a commercial airliner," said Mr. Evans. "The other one might have been also."
As soon as her Father said the words "commercial airliner", Isabel felt like she had just been smacked in the face. She dropped the phone, and put a hand to her mouth to squelch a scream.
"Isabel!" said Mr. Evans, coming over and taking hold of his daughter after hearing her cry out. "What's wrong?!"
"ALEX!" she yelled. "He was flying home from New York this morning!"
"Oh, no!" said Mrs. Evans. "Isabel, are you sure?"
"Positive!" said Isabel. "Oh my GOD!! Please, God, no!!"
"Isabel, honey, we don't know anything yet, so don't panic," said Mr. Evans.
Isabel picked up the phone. "Max!"
"Isabel, what's wrong?!" asked Max.
"Call Liz or Maria!" she said. "See if they've heard from Alex! He was supposed to be flying home from New York this morning!"
"God, you're right!" said Max. "I'll call right away! Then, I'm coming over there! Wait for me!"
About half-an-hour later, Max and Michael both showed up at the Evans' house. Isabel immediately ran into her brother's arms, shaking with fear that Alex may have been on one of those planes.
"Another plane hit the Pentagon," said Mr. Evans, as he and Mrs. Evans greeted the two boys.
"We heard on the radio coming over," said Michael.
"Liz and Maria are going to wait at the Crashdown in case Alex calls there," said Max. "Kyle said he would wait at his place in case he called there."
"Good," said Isabel. "I'm sure he is alright. He has to be!"
"He will be," said Max.
"We have to believe that," said Michael.
They sat around for an hour, waiting for word. The television news did not have the answer they needed, because they were withholding the information on what flights had crashed pending family notification. The information line they posted on the news was busy. Meanwhile, they watched in sheer horror as one-by-one, the towers of the World Trade Center collapsed.
When the second tower collapsed, Mrs. Evans had to run to the bathroom to throw up, physically ill at seeing the slaughter of so many people unfolding before her very eyes. Mr. Evans went with her, to make sure she was alright. Isabel was openly crying, and Max was shocked and filled with sheer disbelief. Even Michael was visibly upset, pacing back and forth, pounding his fist into the wall with anger.
"I was just there a year ago," said Max. "Tess and I...we went to the top of the World Trade Center. You could see the whole city from there. It was...I...this is like a bad dream."
"Its real alright, Maxwell," said Michael.
Just then, the phone rang. Isabel grabbed it.
"Alex!" she said frantically into the phone.
"Isabel," said Alex's voice on the other line.
"OH, THANK YOU GOD!" yelled Isabel. "Alex, you're alright?"
Max and Michael hovered right next to her as she spoke to Alex, breathing sighs of relief hearing that their friend was okay.
"I'm in Houston," said Alex. "That's how far our flight got before we had to land. Every plane in the country had been grounded, apparently. The Air Force will shoot down anything in the air, even an airliner if necessary. I knew you would be worried.
"Oh, Alex, I didn't know what to think!" said Isabel. "I thought...Alex, I love you! I love you, so much!! When are you going to be able to get here?"
"Probably tomorrow," said Alex. "Mr. Weschler and my Father went to see about getting bus tickets. My Mother is here with me. She called my brothers, told them we were safe. Look, there is a big line for this phone, so I have to go. Can you call Liz, Maria, and the others, tell them I'm alright?"
"We'll take care of it," said Isabel. "Max and Michael are here with me."
"Good, I know you are in good hands then," said Alex. "I'll get home to you as soon as I can, baby, just sit tight."
"I love you!" she said.
"I love you, too, Isabel!" replied Alex.
***
That night, the group was gathered at Michael's apartment, trying to take stock of what had happened that day. Max, Michael, Maria, Kyle, Isabel, and even Liz, who's Father had allowed her to be with her friends for a little while, even though Max was going to be there. On this day, Mr. Parker's problems with Max Evans were set aside temporarily, given all that had happened.
They were sitting around on chairs and the couch, silent for a while, just trying to take comfort from being with their friends. Maria was snuggled close to Michael, while Max and Liz were cuddled close together. Isabel longed for Alex to be home, to hold her and tell her it would all be alright. Then, they turned on the television, and watched as the President spoke to the nation, trying to be comforting while at the same time hinting of the struggle to come. After the President spoke, they turned off the TV.
"I spoke to Billy Langford and Tom Buford today," said Kyle. "They're eighteen now, and their talking about dropping out of school to join the military. I wonder if I might have to go, too. If they'll start drafting people because of this war."
"Max, I just thought of something," said Liz. "You and Michael are eighteen, that means you had to register for selective service. What happens if they do start drafting, and you two get called?"
"No one is talking about the draft being implemented right now," said Max. "But, we'll have to cross that bridge when and if we come to it."
"I almost wish I could go," said Michael. "Into the military, I mean. After what I saw today, I'm ready to kick some ass!"
"Oh, like that will solve anything," said Maria. "I mean, what are we going to do now? Go to war? Nuke Afghanistan?"
"Damned straight," said Kyle.
"Oh, what about your avowed Buddhism, Kyle," said Liz. "Last I recall, Buddha was not into the whole war and violence thing."
"Screw Buddha," said Kyle. "Those bastards killed thousands of our people today! I say we nuke the whole damned Middle East if necessary!"
"Oh, sure!" yelled Maria. "Kill em all, let God sort them out! You know who you sound like? The people who knocked those buildings down today! That's the way THEY operate!!"
"What are we supposed to do?" asked Michael. "Sit back, while they kill us!! I say this country should hit the bastards who did this, and all their friends, with everything in the arsenal!! If we don't, we look weak!!"
"And if we do, how many die because of us!" said Liz. "When does it all end? I mean, tell them, Max."
"Actually, Liz," said Max. "I agree with Michael. They attacked us, they started a war with this country! We HAVE to fight back!"
"Yeah, Liz, what would YOU have us do about it?" asked Kyle.
"I don't know," said Liz. "Look, I...I'm not saying I have all the answers, but the thought of going to war, of our country having to send more people to a foreign land to die, to killing innocent people while trying to get to the guilty ones..."
"Look, no one is saying that we think war is a good thing," said Max. "But in this case, I think its necessary!"
"WOULD YOU PEOPLE SHUT UP!!" screamed Isabel, slamming her fist into the wall she was leaning against. "I mean, you all sound like some kind of half-assed Harvard debating society, for GOD'S SAKE!! Alex could have been killed today!!! If he hadn't been on an earlier flight, if his flight was one that left an hour later, he might have been on one of those planes that crashed today!! He might have been one of the thousands of people murdered today!! I mean, we sit here talking about it like its some kind of academic debate!!! Its DISGUSTING!! This whole thing, all of those people...its just disgusting!!"
"Isabel," said Max, getting up and putting his arms around his sister. "Its okay. Alex is okay, he'll be here tomorrow. You just need to calm down."
"Maybe we had all better go home," said Liz. "I mean, its been a long day. And Isabel is right. Us sitting here talking about it like this is not really solving anything."
The group broke up and went their separate ways, with Max giving Isabel a ride back home. When they pulled up to the house, Isabel got out of the car. She turned, and looked back at Max.
"Max, I WISH you would come home," said Isabel. "Especially now!"
"I can't, Isabel," said Max. "If I am to keep our secret, I can't stay at home, not with Dad's conditions set."
"You know, Max," said Isabel. "We live in our own little world of our secret sometimes. And today...the outside world came crashing in. Sometimes, it feels like because we are different, that we aren't affected by many things like humans are. We don't get sick, you can heal injuries, we have these powers to protect us. But then, something like this...it does affect us. I don't know what I would do if I lost Alex today."
"Isabel," said Max. "I think you will feel better once Alex gets home tomorrow. In the meantime, get some rest."
"Good night, Max," said Isabel, leaning over and kissing her brother on the cheek.
"Good night," he replied. He watched her go inside the house, before backing out of the driveway, and heading back to Michael's apartment. He thought on how Isabel was right, that the outside world had come crashing into their own little universe today, and how the events of September 11, 2001, would be ones they would never forget.
End of Chapter Eight. Chapter Nine coming soon.
As I watched the season three episodes, knowing the beginning of the season aired and took place in the fall of 2001, I was looking for them to mention anything about the war or the terrorist attacks on New York. They didn't, and I understand why, given the sensitivity of the subject matter and the mood of country at the time. But, sometimes I see the little world that the gang from Roswell live in, and I wonder how events that occur outside of that world effect them. The only real life current event I've heard them mention in the show was President's Bush's election. So, I decided to incorporate real life events into this story, out of curiosity and as sort of an experiment. I chose September 11th because the timing was right in terms of the show's plot, if affected everyone across the country in some way, and I felt enough distance has been placed between the event and the present to allow for its inclusion in this story to be tasteful. I also wanted to have it be personal in some way for the Roswell gang, i.e. Alex flying from New York on that day. It also works to get Isabel and Alex close together.
Anyhow, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and are looking forward to the next one. Don't miss Isabel's and Alex's reunion in Chapter Nine, or the many events that are to come in this story that is far from over. Keep tuning in, and please do keep submitting those reviews. I love the amount of feedback I am getting from the readers so far, and would really love to see more comments come in on how you all think the story is going so far.
CHAPTER EIGHT:
Isabel came strolling into the Crashdown diner, hoping to grab a quick lunch before hitting the books and studying for a major exam for one of her classes. She hadn't been in the diner for a while, because she was worried she might see Alex there. Confronting him was just not something she was ready to do yet.
Isabel was having mixed feelings about what to do. She had been out on two dates with Jessie Ramirez, and liked him. But, she still loved Alex, and part of her missed him. Until she figured out just what she wanted to do, Isabel was avoiding Alex. But, she knew through Michael and Max that Alex was in New York this weekend for the competition, so he wouldn't be at the Crashdown.
"Hey, Isabel!" said Kyle, sitting at the counter eating a hamburger. "Care to sit with a grease monkey?"
Isabel smiled and came over to sit next to Kyle, who was on lunch break from his job at the garage. "Just for a minute," she said. "I'm getting my order to go."
"What'll it be?" asked Maria from behind the counter.
"Just a tuna melt," she said. "To go."
"Okay, coming right up," said Maria, going to put in the order.
"So, how have you been?" asked Kyle. "Haven't seen you around."
"I've been busy," she said.
"Busy avoiding Alex, I'd bet," he said, taking a bite of his burger.
"Yeah, well, he asked for that," said Isabel. "I still can't believe he put his paper ahead of me. I really needed his support."
"Oh, I see," said Kyle. "So, that means that you are physically or emotionally damaged, permanently, because you went to Colorado when Max and Liz where in jail, and Alex wasn't there to support you? Funny, I didn't notice."
"No, I mean...I got through it," said Isabel. "But...I was really scared and upset, and Alex just..."
"Look, Isabel," said Kyle. "Let me ask you something. Did Alex act like he didn't care that you were upset or worried about Max and Liz?"
"Well, no," said Isabel. "He said I could call him if I needed to talk to him."
"So, he was basically telling you that he would have really liked to have gone with you, but there was something that was preventing him from doing so," said Kyle.
"Yeah, a paper and presentation for some conference..." said Isabel.
"That is giving him a chance to go to New York, compete nationally, gain recognition for his intelligence and ability, and maybe a full college scholarship," said Kyle. "That's a big thing for Alex. Isabel, you have always gotten noticed because of the way you look. You have always been popular, even though you keep your secret hidden. Alex is different. He's always been the geek, the guy who went unnoticed. Nobody gave him much of a second thought. Until he was brought into your little alien conspiracy. It made him feel important, needed. Then, you becoming close with him made him feel needed even more. But, this competition...this was a chance for him to shine on his own, stand on his own two feet. It was an opportunity to win confidence in himself, to shine for who he is, not just because he is YOUR boyfriend, or part of some ultra-secret society. And you acted like you didn't care about the fact that you were asking him to walk away from that chance."
"So you are saying its all my fault," said Isabel.
"Here's your tuna melt," said Maria. "That'll be $6.50 at the register."
"Thanks, Maria," said Isabel.
"Isabel, I'm not saying its all your fault," said Kyle. "I think you both said some things. But let me ask you this. How would you feel if Alex won the national competition?"
"Proud of him," said Isabel.
"Why?" asked Kyle.
"Because he's worked really hard on it," said Isabel. "And he DOES deserve a chance to shine, to be recognized. I see how special he is, but it would be nice for others to see it."
"Why would you care?" asked Kyle.
Isabel smiled. "Because I love him," she said.
Kyle smiled, taking a bite of some fries.
Isabel leaned over and kissed Kyle on the cheek. "Thank you," she said. "For talking some sense into me."
"No problem," said Kyle.
"When does Alex get back again?" asked Isabel.
"Tuesday," said Kyle. "He's flying out of New York on Tuesday morning. He'll be back that evening."
"I'll talk to him when he gets back then," said Isabel.
**
It was Tuesday morning, around 7AM, and Isabel Evans was fast asleep in her bed. Her first class of the day wasn't until 11AM, and she had completed her reading assignment for the class the night before. One of the benefits of being a college student was having classes at later times of the day sometimes, allowing you to sleep in at least on some mornings.
But Isabel's sleep was broken by the ringing of her phone. Slowly, she came to consciousness, groaning as she reached for the phone to stop the incessant noise of its ring.
"Hello," she said groggily.
"Isabel," said a voice on the other line.
"Max," she said. "Its seven in the morning. What..."
"Do you have the TV on?" asked Max, a strange tone to his voice.
"I was sleeping, Max, why would I..."
"Turn it on," said Max.
"What? What is it?" she asked, reaching for the remote to her TV set.
"Just turn it on, you'll see," said Max.
"What channel?" she asked.
"Any channel," said Max.
Isabel turned on the television, and the picture slowly came into view on the screen. The channel was tuned to one of the network stations, and it looked to Isabel like there was news coverage of some kind of explosion or fire. Then, she recognized the building that was on fire.
"That's the World Trade Center, isn't it?" asked Isabel.
"Yeah," said Max. "A plane crashed into it about a half-an-hour ago."
"What?" asked Isabel. "What kind of plane?"
"There not sure," said Max. "But they are already saying it might be a terrorist attack."
"My God," she said. "I've got to tell Mom and Dad. I'll call you back."
She hung up the phone, and went into the hallway. She heard the sound of a television on in the living room, and found her parents already there and watching the events unfold on the screen.
"Isabel," said Mrs. Evans. "You wouldn't believe..."
"Max called me, woke me up," she said. "I saw on my TV."
"They're still trying to piece together what happened," said Mr. Evans. "But a lot of people have to be dead, considering the amount of damage done to that building."
The three of them sat there, and watched the events unfold for a while. Then, a while later, they're faces began to reflect the sheer horror of what they were feeling upon seeing what happened next.
"That plane, it...OH MY GOD!" said Mrs. Evans.
A second plane crashed into the other World Trade Center tower. Isabel immediately picked up the phone to dial Max. The phone was already ringing before she could dial.
"Isabel, did you see..." said Max, on the other line.
"Yes," said Isabel. "We all did! My God, Max, what the hell is happening?"
"That was definitely a commercial airliner," said Mr. Evans. "The other one might have been also."
As soon as her Father said the words "commercial airliner", Isabel felt like she had just been smacked in the face. She dropped the phone, and put a hand to her mouth to squelch a scream.
"Isabel!" said Mr. Evans, coming over and taking hold of his daughter after hearing her cry out. "What's wrong?!"
"ALEX!" she yelled. "He was flying home from New York this morning!"
"Oh, no!" said Mrs. Evans. "Isabel, are you sure?"
"Positive!" said Isabel. "Oh my GOD!! Please, God, no!!"
"Isabel, honey, we don't know anything yet, so don't panic," said Mr. Evans.
Isabel picked up the phone. "Max!"
"Isabel, what's wrong?!" asked Max.
"Call Liz or Maria!" she said. "See if they've heard from Alex! He was supposed to be flying home from New York this morning!"
"God, you're right!" said Max. "I'll call right away! Then, I'm coming over there! Wait for me!"
About half-an-hour later, Max and Michael both showed up at the Evans' house. Isabel immediately ran into her brother's arms, shaking with fear that Alex may have been on one of those planes.
"Another plane hit the Pentagon," said Mr. Evans, as he and Mrs. Evans greeted the two boys.
"We heard on the radio coming over," said Michael.
"Liz and Maria are going to wait at the Crashdown in case Alex calls there," said Max. "Kyle said he would wait at his place in case he called there."
"Good," said Isabel. "I'm sure he is alright. He has to be!"
"He will be," said Max.
"We have to believe that," said Michael.
They sat around for an hour, waiting for word. The television news did not have the answer they needed, because they were withholding the information on what flights had crashed pending family notification. The information line they posted on the news was busy. Meanwhile, they watched in sheer horror as one-by-one, the towers of the World Trade Center collapsed.
When the second tower collapsed, Mrs. Evans had to run to the bathroom to throw up, physically ill at seeing the slaughter of so many people unfolding before her very eyes. Mr. Evans went with her, to make sure she was alright. Isabel was openly crying, and Max was shocked and filled with sheer disbelief. Even Michael was visibly upset, pacing back and forth, pounding his fist into the wall with anger.
"I was just there a year ago," said Max. "Tess and I...we went to the top of the World Trade Center. You could see the whole city from there. It was...I...this is like a bad dream."
"Its real alright, Maxwell," said Michael.
Just then, the phone rang. Isabel grabbed it.
"Alex!" she said frantically into the phone.
"Isabel," said Alex's voice on the other line.
"OH, THANK YOU GOD!" yelled Isabel. "Alex, you're alright?"
Max and Michael hovered right next to her as she spoke to Alex, breathing sighs of relief hearing that their friend was okay.
"I'm in Houston," said Alex. "That's how far our flight got before we had to land. Every plane in the country had been grounded, apparently. The Air Force will shoot down anything in the air, even an airliner if necessary. I knew you would be worried.
"Oh, Alex, I didn't know what to think!" said Isabel. "I thought...Alex, I love you! I love you, so much!! When are you going to be able to get here?"
"Probably tomorrow," said Alex. "Mr. Weschler and my Father went to see about getting bus tickets. My Mother is here with me. She called my brothers, told them we were safe. Look, there is a big line for this phone, so I have to go. Can you call Liz, Maria, and the others, tell them I'm alright?"
"We'll take care of it," said Isabel. "Max and Michael are here with me."
"Good, I know you are in good hands then," said Alex. "I'll get home to you as soon as I can, baby, just sit tight."
"I love you!" she said.
"I love you, too, Isabel!" replied Alex.
***
That night, the group was gathered at Michael's apartment, trying to take stock of what had happened that day. Max, Michael, Maria, Kyle, Isabel, and even Liz, who's Father had allowed her to be with her friends for a little while, even though Max was going to be there. On this day, Mr. Parker's problems with Max Evans were set aside temporarily, given all that had happened.
They were sitting around on chairs and the couch, silent for a while, just trying to take comfort from being with their friends. Maria was snuggled close to Michael, while Max and Liz were cuddled close together. Isabel longed for Alex to be home, to hold her and tell her it would all be alright. Then, they turned on the television, and watched as the President spoke to the nation, trying to be comforting while at the same time hinting of the struggle to come. After the President spoke, they turned off the TV.
"I spoke to Billy Langford and Tom Buford today," said Kyle. "They're eighteen now, and their talking about dropping out of school to join the military. I wonder if I might have to go, too. If they'll start drafting people because of this war."
"Max, I just thought of something," said Liz. "You and Michael are eighteen, that means you had to register for selective service. What happens if they do start drafting, and you two get called?"
"No one is talking about the draft being implemented right now," said Max. "But, we'll have to cross that bridge when and if we come to it."
"I almost wish I could go," said Michael. "Into the military, I mean. After what I saw today, I'm ready to kick some ass!"
"Oh, like that will solve anything," said Maria. "I mean, what are we going to do now? Go to war? Nuke Afghanistan?"
"Damned straight," said Kyle.
"Oh, what about your avowed Buddhism, Kyle," said Liz. "Last I recall, Buddha was not into the whole war and violence thing."
"Screw Buddha," said Kyle. "Those bastards killed thousands of our people today! I say we nuke the whole damned Middle East if necessary!"
"Oh, sure!" yelled Maria. "Kill em all, let God sort them out! You know who you sound like? The people who knocked those buildings down today! That's the way THEY operate!!"
"What are we supposed to do?" asked Michael. "Sit back, while they kill us!! I say this country should hit the bastards who did this, and all their friends, with everything in the arsenal!! If we don't, we look weak!!"
"And if we do, how many die because of us!" said Liz. "When does it all end? I mean, tell them, Max."
"Actually, Liz," said Max. "I agree with Michael. They attacked us, they started a war with this country! We HAVE to fight back!"
"Yeah, Liz, what would YOU have us do about it?" asked Kyle.
"I don't know," said Liz. "Look, I...I'm not saying I have all the answers, but the thought of going to war, of our country having to send more people to a foreign land to die, to killing innocent people while trying to get to the guilty ones..."
"Look, no one is saying that we think war is a good thing," said Max. "But in this case, I think its necessary!"
"WOULD YOU PEOPLE SHUT UP!!" screamed Isabel, slamming her fist into the wall she was leaning against. "I mean, you all sound like some kind of half-assed Harvard debating society, for GOD'S SAKE!! Alex could have been killed today!!! If he hadn't been on an earlier flight, if his flight was one that left an hour later, he might have been on one of those planes that crashed today!! He might have been one of the thousands of people murdered today!! I mean, we sit here talking about it like its some kind of academic debate!!! Its DISGUSTING!! This whole thing, all of those people...its just disgusting!!"
"Isabel," said Max, getting up and putting his arms around his sister. "Its okay. Alex is okay, he'll be here tomorrow. You just need to calm down."
"Maybe we had all better go home," said Liz. "I mean, its been a long day. And Isabel is right. Us sitting here talking about it like this is not really solving anything."
The group broke up and went their separate ways, with Max giving Isabel a ride back home. When they pulled up to the house, Isabel got out of the car. She turned, and looked back at Max.
"Max, I WISH you would come home," said Isabel. "Especially now!"
"I can't, Isabel," said Max. "If I am to keep our secret, I can't stay at home, not with Dad's conditions set."
"You know, Max," said Isabel. "We live in our own little world of our secret sometimes. And today...the outside world came crashing in. Sometimes, it feels like because we are different, that we aren't affected by many things like humans are. We don't get sick, you can heal injuries, we have these powers to protect us. But then, something like this...it does affect us. I don't know what I would do if I lost Alex today."
"Isabel," said Max. "I think you will feel better once Alex gets home tomorrow. In the meantime, get some rest."
"Good night, Max," said Isabel, leaning over and kissing her brother on the cheek.
"Good night," he replied. He watched her go inside the house, before backing out of the driveway, and heading back to Michael's apartment. He thought on how Isabel was right, that the outside world had come crashing into their own little universe today, and how the events of September 11, 2001, would be ones they would never forget.
End of Chapter Eight. Chapter Nine coming soon.
As I watched the season three episodes, knowing the beginning of the season aired and took place in the fall of 2001, I was looking for them to mention anything about the war or the terrorist attacks on New York. They didn't, and I understand why, given the sensitivity of the subject matter and the mood of country at the time. But, sometimes I see the little world that the gang from Roswell live in, and I wonder how events that occur outside of that world effect them. The only real life current event I've heard them mention in the show was President's Bush's election. So, I decided to incorporate real life events into this story, out of curiosity and as sort of an experiment. I chose September 11th because the timing was right in terms of the show's plot, if affected everyone across the country in some way, and I felt enough distance has been placed between the event and the present to allow for its inclusion in this story to be tasteful. I also wanted to have it be personal in some way for the Roswell gang, i.e. Alex flying from New York on that day. It also works to get Isabel and Alex close together.
Anyhow, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and are looking forward to the next one. Don't miss Isabel's and Alex's reunion in Chapter Nine, or the many events that are to come in this story that is far from over. Keep tuning in, and please do keep submitting those reviews. I love the amount of feedback I am getting from the readers so far, and would really love to see more comments come in on how you all think the story is going so far.