Babylon 2001

Raleigh, North Carolina, August 25th, 2001.

Daniel, his older sister Ruby and his little sister Erma are hanging out with the Kawali family for the weekend while their mother Lee is away on a girl’s trip. The African born Kawali family consisted of the mother Miriam, the father Carl and their five children: Joey, CJ, Edna, Alexis and Kimberly. Joey and CJ were in Daniel, who just started the third grade’s age group. Edna and Alexis were in Erma’s age group who was only three years old and Kimberly was the same age as Ruby who was 12 years old in the 6th grade.

On this August Saturday night the group was just coming back from seeing the biggest movie of the summer, Rush Hour 2. They get back to the Kawali family house around 9:00 p.m. marveling at how much they enjoyed the movie. “Yo you cannot tell me that wasn’t the best movie this year” Daniel started excitedly as the children all walked down to the basement. “I don’t know, I think The Fast and the Furious was pretty good too” Joey added. “Yeah they might be neck and neck” Daniel concluded.

“Now that we’re back in the basement let’s turn that radio back up” Ruby boasted. “I’m right there with you” Kim agreed. The girls turned on the radio to the station 102 Jams and were greeted by the vocals of Missy Elliot’s hit song “One Minute Man”. As the children all laughed and sang along with Missy enjoying the night, Daniel heard a whisper in the conclusion of the “One Minute Man” instrumental.

He briefly thought back on all the great moments of the year like spending time at summer camp, going to the zoo, going to the beach, having his grandparents come visit for a week and all the great movies and music that came out all year long. It was as if a striking feeling had hit his gut telling him that all the fun he and the rest of the world was having was about to come to an abrupt end.

August 26th, 12 p.m.

As the children all hung out together in the basement enjoying what would be the last day of hanging out, Ruby and Kim sat by the radio while Daniel, Joey and the rest of the kids played cards at the table. “So what’s this trip you’re goin’ on?” Joey asked Daniel. “Well my school is taking the third graders on a four day long field trip to Washington DC for a school project that’s gonna last all year. It’s an educational thing” Daniel replied.

“That sounds too fun” Joey began. “You get to see the White House and everything. When is it?” “It starts Monday September 10th and we get back Friday night September 15th” Daniel concluded. In the background Daniel noticed that 102 Jams had been playing songs by his favorite singer Aaliyah all morning long, but he thought nothing of it. “Danny!” Ruby began strikingly. “Aaliyah died”. At this news Danny and the rest of the kids put their attention on Ruby. “What? No she didn’t” Daniel responded in disbelief.

“No I’m dead serious, listen”. Rudy turned up the radio and the voice of radio host Russ Parr detailed what had occurred. “Good afternoon everybody, if you’re just tuning in we regret to inform you that Aaliyah tragically passed away yesterday in a plane crash in the Bahamas while coming back from filming the music video to her new song “Rock The Boat”.”

“Ah this can’t be real” Daniel started. “So this is why they’ve been playing her music all morning long.” “Yep” Ruby responded. “This is so sad” Kim said softly. “”Yo I can’t believe it” Joey added.

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, August 27th 2001.

On the Monday morning bus ride to his school, Seawell elementary, Daniel and the other children went on and on about Aaliyah. For the whole day it was all anyone could talk about. In his class Daniel sat next to his new friend Torron who was also a big Aaliyah fan. “”Yo Daniel did you hear about Aaliyah?” Torron asked. “Yeah dawg I still can’t believe it I wanna cry so bad” Daniel replied. When Daniel’s mother Lee came to pick him and Ruby up from school later that afternoon They discussed Aaliyah’s death.

“That poor baby was only 22 years old” Lee started. “Yeah mama, that is so sad” Ruby added. Suddenly their conversation was cut off when Aaliyah’s newest song “Rock The Boat” came on the radio. As Daniel listened to beauty of Aaliyah’s vocals tears started streaming down his eyes at the realization that she was gone.

Monday, September 10th 2001, Arlington, Virginia. 8:00p.m.

The three activity buses carrying Daniel and his classmates pulled into the parking lot of the Washington D.C. hotel that the students would be staying at until Friday. “Wow we’re in the capital” Daniel began. “This is so dope” Torron added as they exited the activity bus. Joined by their other classmate, Giffin, the trio followed their teacher Ms. Scales as she led them to their hotel room.

Daniel, Torron and Giffin made it to the third floor where their room was. They walked into room number 321 and were amazed at the site. “Dang, this ain’t a hotel room, it’s a mansion” Daniel joked. “Yeah and it’s gonna be ours for the next three days” Giffin added. “Alright boys” Ms. Scales began. “Y’all get settled in and I’ll be back to check on you.” “Yo I can’t believe all three of us get to go to the Pentagon tomorrow” Torron said with excitement. “Yeah thank the man upstairs that the three of us scored the highest on that Washington quiz last week and got selected for the trip to the Pentagon” Giffin added. “Amen to that brothas” Torron concluded.

Daniel, Torron and Giffin enjoyed the rest of their night in what seemed like the most lavish hotel room ever. Going to sleep in the tranquil capital night completely unaware of what was coming the following morning.

8:00 a.m. September 11th 2001, Arlington County.

Daniel, Torron and Giffin have just finished having breakfast at the hotel cafeteria when their science teacher Mr. Morgan comes to find them so they can depart to the Pentagon for their special side trip. “Alrighty fellas, you ready?” Mr. Morgan asked cheerfully. “We’re ready” all three boys responded simultaneously. The boys along with Morgan made their way to a white van with a big American flag on its side. Sitting inside the van was one of their guidance counselors, Ms. Jackson and two of their female classmates, Lisa and Jasmine.

“Well well” Jasmine started. “Looks like big head is coming on the trip” she directed to Daniel. “Haha, yo mama got a big head” Daniel joked back as Torron and Giffin laughed. “Alright you two that’s enough” Ms. Jackson ordered. The group of seven buckled up as their liaisons drove them to the Pentagon. When they arrived at the Pentagon the children and teachers were amazed by the site that met their eyes.

“Wow this place is huge” Giffin called out. “Yeah and the leaders of the military are in there so act right or they’ll put you down” Ms. Jackson joked. As the group walked in they were given a tour of each part of the Pentagon by their liaisons. Daniel made note of every building location and everyone he came in contact with including lieutenant general Timothy Maude.

“Hello son, what’s your name?” Maude asked while extending his hand. “I’m Danny” Daniel replied as he shook Maude’s hand. “That’s a firm grip you got there, Danny. Maybe one day you’ll join us in the service.” As Maude walked away Daniel and his group prepared to walk to the next station with their liaisons when they were abruptly distracted by a group of pentagon staff members huddled around a television.

Daniel curiously walked over with his classmates and teachers in tow. When he made it through the crowd he and the group found CNN news reporting on an airplane crash into the World Trade Center in New York City.

“Good Lord have mercy” Ms. Jackson exclaimed. “That is terrible” Mr. Morgan added. “Oh wow, what do you think happened?” Giffin asked aloud. “Hope nobody got hurt” Torron added. “I wonder how it happened” Danny began, but before he could finish the group witnessed a second plane hitting the second tower as the news broadcasted.

The area then filled with screams and gasps of shock. “That was on purpose” a shocked Daniel remarked. “We’re under attack” one of the military personnel behind Daniel and the team called out. Daniel and the children reacted while the adults talked among themselves.

“First Aaliyah, now this” Torron began. “The army guy said it was terrorist” Lisa called out. Daniel looked to his right and saw one of Pentagon workers hang up the phone with a concerned look on his face. The man walked over to a colleague and Daniel heard him whispering. “We just got a call from the FBI. They’re saying the planes that hit the Trade Centers were hijacked and that there are more of them unaccounted for.” “Where are they headed?” the man’s colleague asked. “They think atleast one of them is headed this way.”

At this news Danny became worried. “Ms. Jackson, Mr. Morgan” Danny started. “What’s wrong Danny?” Mr. Morgan asked. “I think we need to get out of here. I heard one of the men say a plane is coming this way.” “Duncan you don’t think they’d be stupid enough to hit the Pentagon do you?” Ms. Jackson asked. Before Duncan could answer the packed room of people put their attention back on the television where President Bush was addressing the nation about the attacks.

“Maybe we need to go” Ms. Jackson suggested after watching the president’s statements. “I think you’re right Loretta” Duncan agreed. “Alright guys we’re heading out in just a few minutes” Mr. Morgan began. As Danny and the rest of the kids anxiously waited to leave, Danny heard the faint sound of an airplane engine in the distance. While the grown ups continued to discuss the attacks among themselves Danny could hear the engine coming closer. “Oh no” Danny started. Torron and Giffin looked at him as he screamed “ITS HERE!” At the sound of his voice a forceful blast smashed into the building, knocking everyone down while they screamed in terror and the lights flickered

A third aircraft struck the Pentagon. Danny and his classmates quickly got to their feet as the adults also recovered. “Is everyone okay?” Mr. Morgan called out. “Yeah we’re all here” Danny called back. “Loretta where are you?” Morgan summoned. “I’m right here Duncan” Ms. Jackson responded while being lifted to her feet by one of the military personnel. As the lights flickered on and off a voice called to everyone from across the room. “EVERYONE FOLLOW ME THIS WAY TO THE EMERGENCY EXIT”. Everyone collected themselves and followed the sound of the man’s voice.

As Duncan and Loretta led the children out Danny made sure the rest of his classmates were following suit. Fear and chaos filled the air. As everyone made it outside they saw the huge cloud of smoke behind them rising to the sky just like the attacks in New York. There were now thousands of people evacuating the Pentagon. Ambulances and fire trucks arrived at the Pentagon as many wounded were being brought out. “It’s too crowded for us to drive” Duncan exclaimed. “Then we’ll have to walk” Loretta responded. From a car radio next to the group Danny heard the song “All Out” from Tupac playing on the radio. It’s tone summed up exactly how he felt. Between Aaliyah’s death and this attack, Danny looked to the sky realizing that the world is now a different place.

To be continued…