When they lived in Truro, he enjoyed camping out with the 1st Valley Boy Scout troop. Dad was an Assistant Scoutmasters and taught Troy how to take care of himself in the woods. Someday, Troy thought, I’d like to go out in the woods myself.

Little did he know the chance would come sooner than later.

Troy worked hard earning his badges. And quite proud of being promoted to a Patrol Leader rather quickly. In fact, he was one of the youngest to ever attain that position in the troop. But that was 'before'.

Mom even taught Troy to sew on his own badges. He didn't have any interest in joining scouts here. It reminded him too much of the fun he used to have. And right now, he still had things to work out.

Their old apartment was nice and tidy, instead of dust balls racing each other across the kitchen floor. Troy didn't have to do all the cooking, either. Mom did it, with Troy’s help. She taught him how to handle himself around the kitchen, not Dad.

He had lots of fun in Truro, with his school chums James and Paul. They came to his house often, and they spent much time in Victoria Park. There was also a great baseball field there. But, he hardly saw them since moving here.

Troy’s time was now spent helping Dad fix things. Measuring, sawing and carrying lumber were new duties, since so many cabins needed repairs.

“Don’t forget to put away the empty beer bottles,” Dad mumbled often. It was an added chore for Troy, and the back shed was full of them. He was really ashamed to bring anyone here. Imagine if his friends went home and said his dad was just a drunk.

He didn’t want them to have a lot more to talk about than just JC.

Troy took the picture of Dad, Mom and himself from the wall. It was taken during a trip to Niagara Falls, such a great time. 'Awesome' could hardly describe the moment when the Maid of the Mist boat approached the misty falls.

Troy dreamed often about that scene.

When the boat was rocking in the Niagara River, Troy was afraid and held tightly to both parents. He wished he could return to that piece of time, just the three of them, with Boots too.

Troy held the precious picture to his chest as he sat on the bed looking out the window. What if the boat had kept on going right through the mist? The falling spray was so peaceful, almost like warm droplets of sun. There could easily have been another world hiding behind the rocks.

And they could have all stayed together, without this pain he now felt. Forever.

His imagination lived and relived the possibilities. It would have been so peaceful, to return to a special place like that.

Oh, to live under a bright sun, with light rainfall, and colorful rainbows. Where fish leaped from the water, then dancing across the surface. And birds race each other across a blue sky.

Troy moved to the window when he noticed two chickadees and a Pine Siskin descend on the feeders. “JC…look,” he said. “They’re back.”

Sparrows followed and others Troy wasn't sure about. Good thing they couldn't see tears falling down his cheeks.

“It’s okay Troy,” he was sure JC said. “I know you miss Mom.”

Dad said only babies cried. Troy wiped away his tears before they got out of control and became a flood. He sure didn’t want to be a baby.

He had to focus. Tears don't do anything for you, even if your mom did die. Sometimes his mind tried to play tricks on him.

What if Mom didn't die? What if it was just a big lie Dad made up? Maybe some spaceship came down and took her away.

Troy reached for his Birds of Nova Scotia book. He pushed away these silly thoughts his mind created. JC wasn’t saying much. He usually didn’t when Troy was thinking. And worrying.

Suddenly, from his window, Troy noticed a glow on the far side of the campground. It must be near the river. It could barely be seen over the trees. Yet it seemed to spread across the edge of sky like a summer sunset. What was going on?

There was no smoke as from a fire.

He stood up, leaned on the windowsill and tried to focus. That's strange, he thought. From the front of their house to the woods, thick snowflakes fell. Yet beyond the woods there was this bright yellow tinge.

Almost like the glow of campfire embers at night.

Thinking about fishing wasn't important right now. “Dad?” he called downstairs. “Come and see something.” Troy rubbed his eyes and shook his head. Just to make sure he wasn't imagining the scene.

“QUIIICK! DAAD!” Troy began to yell.

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