I woke up around 8:00. I did the morning thing... showered, shaved, got dressed. It was a beautiful day so I decided to walk along the bus route to the subway. I figured if the bus didn't come while I was waiting at least I had a nice walk. It never came.
When I got to the subway I sat on the platform and read while I waited about 10 minutes for the train. I can't remember what I was reading, but it was probably something I'd read before. Maybe a comic book.
The train came and I walked to the end of the platform so I would be right near the exit when it got to my stop. I got on at 63rd Street so there were plenty of seats, but I always liked to stand when I rode the train. I would stand without leaning against the door and slowly rock back and forth to keep my balance as the train moved.
It was an uneventful train ride. I got off at 5th Street and walked up to the street. It was a really beautiful day. The sun was shining, but not the way that makes you squint at everything. I went to the newsstand to get my usual "breakfast" - a Snapple and a soft pretzel.
I walked through Independance Mall to get to work. I'd walk past tourists taking pictures, posing in front of Independance Hall. I always used to wonder how many vacation photos I must be in. Photo bombing wasn't a thing back then, but if it was I would have been awesome at it.
I got to my desk a little after 10:00. When I got settled in I logged onto AIM. Back then there was nothing to stop you from chatting with your friends at work. No reason, really. My friend, Craig, popped up.
"Hey, how's it going?"
"Not good, not good."
"Why, what's happening?"
"The second tower just collapsed."
"What are you talking about?"
They closed the office and sent everyone home an hour later because we were next to Independance Hall and the Liberty Bell. Who knew what could happen next? On the way home I remembered the guy at the newsstand was talking to someone about a plane crash. He was real casual about it, like it was a tragic accident or something. Nobody knew. Why would they? It was such a beautiful day.
