"Jeff! Jeff! Are you there?"
With difficulty Jeff raised the radio to his lips. "I'm here, Honey. How are you?"
"It's so hot and stuffy, and both Gordon and Alan won't stop crying."
Jeff could hear his two youngest sons. "Hang in there, Honey. The emergency services can't be too far away.
"Jeff. I'm frightened."
"Don't be. I'm here. Look, save the air. Let me do all the talking." And so he talked. He talked about how much he loved her. He talked about how he'd always admired and respected her. He talked about how proud he was of the job she was doing bringing up his sons, despite the fact that he wasn't always around to support her. "I guess I haven't been a very good husband."
"Don't be silly, Jeff. You've been a great husband and a great father." She was sounding tired.
The sounds in the background were getting quieter. "Lucille?"
"Yes, Honey."
"How's the boys?"
It was as though she'd only just woken from a deep sleep. "The boys?" Her brain felt fuzzy and she fought to make it work clearly. "They're fine. Gordon's asleep." She realised what she'd said and appeared to regain some control of her thoughts. "Jeff! He's not moving."
Jeff felt that sense of panic rise again. "Keep calm, Honey. Is he still breathing?"
There was silence for a moment before he heard her voice again. "Yes! Yes, he is."
"Good."
"Jeff!" The exhaustion was plain in her voice now. "I want to talk to Scott."
Once again Scott grabbed the radio from his belt. "I'm here, Ma."
"Now, Scott, I'm relying on you to look after your brothers. You're the oldest and they look up to you. Help them and help your father. Always remember that I love you."
"Yes, Ma. I love you too."
Jeff looked skywards as realisation dawned. 'She's saying goodbye.'
"Johnny?"
"Hi, Ma."
"I love you, Honey. Keep that telescope pointing at the heavens and maybe one day you'll see me."
She could hear the tears in his voice as he replied "Love you" before his voice broke and he turned back to his digging.
"Virgil! I want you to do something special for me, okay."
"Yes, Ma."
"As soon as you get home, I want you to paint a bright, happy picture for me and Grandpa. And for Alan and Gordon okay. And think of me when ever you look at them and remember that I love you, I love you all."
"Okay, Ma. What do you want me to paint?"
"Anything, Virgil. Paint what's in your heart."
Scott nudged Virgil. "Tell her you love her."
Obediently Virgil complied. "I love you, Ma."
"Jeff. How's your mother?"
"My moth…" Jeff had practically forgotten about the distraught woman beside him. "She's … upset."
"Tell her he was brave, that he tried to drive away from the avalanche, that he put himself in the path of the rocks, to save us. And, Jeff…"
"Yes, Honey."
"Look after our boys. Keep them safe. Teach them to care for others and each other." Her voice was growing fainter. He could no longer hear Alan crying. Jeff's tears were falling unheeded as he heard her final words. "I love you, Jeff Tracy."
His yell echoed off the mountain walls and reverberated off the surrounding peaks. "Lucille!"
The only reply was the drone of a vehicle rounding the corner.