"You're going to have to take care of your mother and sister now you hear?"

Says the priest as he puts his hand on the 14 year old boy's shoulder. A boy who's blue eyes are now a muted gray. Watching the burial of his father as his mother and sister weep at the hole that holds his coffin.

8 feet long. 6 feet deep. The boy is silent.

"You're going to have to be the man of the house now. It's what your father would have wanted."

The boy's hands are fists at his side. He straightens his back. Swallows hard. His jaw clenches, fighting back the tears. Only one escapes.

The boy replies with broken determination.

"Yes sir."