This chapter is dedicated to those affected by the 9/11 attacks. This issue is sensitive and may have affected a few of you. I did not write this lightly and I have the greatest sympathy for anyone involved in this awful attack in New York that day. Please message me with any concerns or reservations about this chapter.
Anyone, anywhere, doesn't need to be asked where they were on Tuesday the 11th of September 2001. Most were in work or school, starting their day with an easy cup of coffee or talking to their friends about the weekend past. They would have been confused by an unexpected phone call from a loved one they had just kissed goodbye or when the TV was switched on to reveal live news coverage of the World Trade Centre.
The words 'Breaking News: Attack on the World Trade Centre' were blared across every American network that morning, updating unknowing citizens about the vile terrorist attacks that occured, which would cause just under 3000 fatalities. Innocent lives ripped from those who loved them, and for what?
Beyoncé Knowles stood frozen and tense in front of the flat-screen situated in her family's Texan home, listening to the broadcast with her family surrounding her. Her eyes witnessed the information but her brain couldn't comprehend the devastation laid out in plain view in front of her.
"Oh my God."
"My God."
"That looks like a second plane has just hit-" The reporters too, in utter shock at the rapid turn of events on what started out as an average Tuesday in the city of dreams. Now, the hopeful dreams of New Yorkers had fallen and were crushed beneath the rubble and ash of the Twin Towers.
She couldn't speak, couldn't breathe. The room started to spin and she stumbled to the nearest chair where her breathing became ragged and uneven. Beyoncé had had panic attacks before, every performer had but at this moment she wasn't concerned about herself. Before she could lose consciousness through lack of oxygen her phone rang, Jay's signature ring tone echoing through the tension filled living room.
**
Living in impoverished areas of New York his entire life, Shawn Carter had been privy to witnessing acts of destruction, extreme violence and murder first hand from a very young age. He had dealt drugs to his community, not taking into consideration the effects they had, only focusing on surviving. When he had finally put his mind to music and made it out of Marcy Projects he expected the city of New York to get somewhat safer. On Tuesday 11th of September 2001 he, along with millions of other New Yorkers, peered out of his office window and watched the devastation unfold, unable to do anything but stare in absolute horror. His head ended up in his hands when the first few civilians began to jump to their untimely deaths, not wanting to be engulfed by the flames that were eating the World Trade Centre from the inside out.
In that moment, his family entered his head. He spun around and picked up his telephone calling all members of his immediate family and checking to make sure they had not ventured anywhere near Downtown New York. After that he rang Beyoncé, he had never been so glad that she was so far from New York as he was in that moment. When she answered he could hear her crying, he comforted her by telling her he was fine - physically anyway.
"Di- did you s-see it?" she finally managed to choke out.
"Yeah baby, I did. It wa- it wasn't pretty. But I'm OK, and your OK. That's all tha' matters to me righ' now." Jay told her quietly.
"I probably won't be able to get to New York for a while now. They'll have jets on lock down."
"I know baby, but we'll figure it out. Imma go and see my Moms but i'll call you OK? I love you."
