Antonia and Salvatore had been together as a couple since high school. They graduated together, attended the same college. It was inevitable that they would eventually become man and wife.
Shortly after they married, Antonia became pregnant with their daughter. Soon after the birth of their son, Salvatore became sick with pneumonia. The cough would not stop.
Two months later, he was diagnosed with cancer.
Treatment put him in remission but a few years later the cancer returned. This is where the story begins.
Antonia and Salvatore walked through the mall. In between them was their five year old daughter Alessandra. Every once in awhile, they would gently lift her off the floor and swing her back and forth, watching her smile so brightly that it almost out shone the sun. As they came to the center of the mall, Antonia noticed the long line waiting to visit with Santa and knew that Alessandra would soon be asking to go and talk to him. Sure as anything, Alessandra looked up at Antonia and then over to Salvatore with eyes that they could not deny.
As they got into line for Santa, Antonia could see that it would be awhile before they got close to Santa.
She looked at Salvatore and said, "Why don't you go have a seat, honey? I can stand here with Alessandra and when we get closer I will come and get you so you don't have to miss anything."
"Okay, honey. I think I will. This little trip has tired me out a bit." He turned and walked to the bench closest to his family with a look of great sorrow on his face.
Salvatore sat there watching his wife and daughter and wondered what he had done to deserve being this sick again. He had followed doctor's orders to the letter and prayed every night that the cancer would not come back. He shook his head and closed his eyes.