Last Dinner in “Windows on the World”

Randy raised his flute of champagne.  “Happy Anniversary," he said to me with a smile.  I raised mine in return.  We touched glasses.  It was June 7th, 2000.  Randy and I sat in “Windows on the World”, the sky top restaurant located in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
 

“I can’t believe we’re 106 stories up,” I said, looking out but not quite able to look down.  It was high up there, unsettling, scary high.  We watched small planes and helicopters fly below us.  The Hudson River flowed nearby with tug boats, ocean liners and barges.  As the sky darkened, the lights of buildings and bridges gave a fairytale feel to the evening.   It was like dining in heaven.   

Waiters bustled about in crisp white uniforms.  Couples and families and large parties talked and laughed and took pictures.  Every so often the flash of a camera went off as people gathered to commemorate a birthday or anniversary or just being in one of the most famous restaurants on the planet.      

Joseph was our waiter.  He was thin and wiry with brown hair and a mustache.  He looked to be in his early forties.  When he learned it was our anniversary, he kept the champagne flowing.  “Where are you folks from?” he asked, refilling our glasses.  “We’re from Connecticut," I said.  "What about you?” He smiled.  “I’m from Queens.  I live with my wife and two daughters.”

That night Randy and I dined on steak and lobster.  Before dessert, my husband presented me with a mauve-colored jewelry box.  I opened it to find a beautiful ring with diamonds all around to celebrate our 20 years together.  I slipped it on my finger.  It fit just right. 

At that moment Joseph appeared with a small chocolate cake inscribed with “Happy Anniversary” in gold letters.  A sparkler lit the top.   What a perfect end to a perfect evening, I thought.  When we realized we couldn’t finish, Joseph took the plate and returned with a small gold cardboard box.  “You can’t leave behind your anniversary cake,” he said with a wink.

We thanked him, vowing to return to “Windows on the World.”  Maybe we’d see him again.  “Come back anytime,” he said, “but I usually work the morning weekday shift.  They called me tonight to fill in.”    

That was our last visit to the World Trade Center.  Whenever the 9/11 anniversary comes around, I look at my beautiful ring and think of that night. “Windows on the World” is gone, but still exists in my mind like a dream.  I still hear the clink of glasses and murmur of voices.  I see the cameras flash as people pose to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and just-happy-to-be-alive days.  Sometimes I think of Joseph.  I hope he was one of the lucky ones.  I hope he wasn’t in the wrong place at the wrong time.  The sad part is I’ll never know. 


Were you ever in this wonderful restaurant or the World Trade Center?  Thoughts or remembrances?  Comments are always welcome!!

And please share... thank you.