With that the loving Sandra kissed Alex gently on his cheek and although she had kissed his cheek many times before, there was something different about this one, a little bit longer, a little bit warmer, a little bit harder. She was saying her goodbye.

He wanted to say something, but nothing would come out. She gave him a comforting smile, turned and began to walk away, each step tearing away more and more of Alex's courage until she disappeared into the fog and falling snow.