story5617.xml

story5617.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I went to work the same way I always did. My friend Luisa dropped me and her brother in law, Sergio, off on Liberty St & West St. I walked Sergio to Tower II, and then continued on to my building. Normally I walk past my building to stop and get coffee, but for some reason I walked right in. I was at my desk by 7:30 AM. My friend Dennis called me about 8:15 (very unusual, he usually doesn't call untill 11:00am)and for some reason I couldn't get him off the phone. I kept saying, "let me go, I need my coffee", but he just kept talking. All of a sudden we heard the first plane hit. Dennis worked on the 6th flr and I on the 13th. I asked him what that noise was. He said, it's an explosion, get out of the building. I turned to the windows and saw balls of fire and debris. I grabbed my bag and went outside. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I ran to the side of my building to use the payphone. I called Sergios wife and sister in law to see if anyone heard from him. At that point no one knew anything. I ran back to West St and watched the tower burning. We were standing in the middle of West St looking up when all of a sudden we heard the second plane fly over, swing around, and fly right into Tower II. There was no doubt this was an act of terrorism. As we were watching the buildings burn we saw people standing at the window frames waving hankerchiefs. I felt like I wanted to help them, but I couldn't. One by one I watched them fall. It was horrifying. I tried then to get to a phone to call my husband. I had to keep walking north to find a phone. Finally the kind people that owned a photoshop let us use the phone. I spoke to someone who works with my husband, but I couldn't speak to him personally. While walking through the streets to try and find my friends and coworkers, I witnessed terrible sights.
Something made me stay. People were running North, but I kept walking South. When the first Tower fell I just stood there in disbelief. Others ran past me. It was like I was in a bubble. Days later a friend asked me what it sounded like when the towers came down? My answer, "Silence". Finally about 12:00 I decided to walk North. I was heading for another Verizon Office on Varick St. As I walked up a side street I heard someone calling my name. It was a coworker of mine, she had been injured, trampled by people fleeing. She was sitting at a trucking garage and said the people would let me use the phone. They were very kind and gave me water and a private office to call my husband in. I finally got him. My husband Tony told me the only bridge open to pedestrians at that point was the 59th St Bridge. He works in Queens, so that's when I decided what to do. I walked my friend to the Varick st office. We both made calls to our families. She said she wanted to stay and sit it out. I was focused on getting to Tony. I began my walk with so many others, all with the same goal. I finally made the 3 mile walk (in heels) to Queens. When I got over the Bridge, this woman I met called him on her cell phone and told him where to find me. When I saw his car I jumped into his arms and we cried.
We still did not know if our friend and neighbor Sergio was safe. We got home and along with Sergios family, sat outside and waited. About 8pm we turned and saw Sergio walking up the street. We all ran to him and hugged and kissed him.
Now it's 12 months later. I haven't forgotten a thing about 9/11/01. Evrything is clear in my mind. I am sure it is something I will never forget.
My office has been relocated to Brooklyn. I want to go back to the West St office. She stood tall for us, while other buildings were coming down around us. I need to be there too.
I feel if we don't live our lives as we once did; it means they won!