What's life without a little risk?


A blonde haired girl races past the dark haired boy in the hallway, accompanied by her best friend. They laugh and he watches them

race away together. Later, the first words that girl says something to him are words that he will never forget. 6 words seared into his heart.


Later that girl is leaning back against the big oak tree with him, and they laugh about this and that. Speaking together about school and love


Soon that boy has run away, and the girl is here with him. She sits with him and lets him cry on her shoulder. Not saying a word.


Then that girl is his. He is hers. They are one and an unstoppable force to be reckoned with.


The rest is a blur.


There's a cap and gown.


A thunderstorm or two.


There's late nights.


And lazy saturday mornings.


There's a ring box


And a wedding dress.


There's a rather large cake.


There's a negative pregnancy test.


And another.


And another.


There's a hospital.


There's a miracle.


There's a blonde with a round belly.


And there's a man with an overwhelming sense of pride.


There's a very important photograph.


Then, there's fire.


There's death.


There's a very pale man in dark grey robes that possesses a sickening laugh.


There's a blood curtling scream.


And a plea for mercy.


Then there's silece.


Then everything runs in slow motion.


There's a cry of pain.


There's a man being pulled away from his dead wife.


There's a stag and a bright light.


There's a frost-bitten cemetary


There's a family of greivers


There's a cold cry of despair


The same six words, the first words, are etched onto a tombstone.


Under the name


Marlene McKinnon.