The boy sat near the edge of the cliff with his knees tucked into
his chest. The wind was cold at this height, and he
shivered as it blew into his face. He had been there for
some time when he heard the voice of Father O'Brien calling
behind him.
"Melvin! Are you alright?"
The boy did not answer.
"We were so worried, when you ran off after the
funeral..."
The boy stared straight ahead.
"I know it's hard, losing your mother like that.
We talked about this before."
"You don't understand, Father!"
The boy did not turn to face the priest.
"First Dad, then Nanny, now Mum,... Everyone I love
kills themselves!"
Father O'Brien sighed and took a step closer to the boy.
"Oh, Melvin... It's not you! Can't you see that?
You know your grandmother was in a lot of pain when she did what
she did. And your mother was never the same after your
father passed away, you told me that yourself."
"But Dad! Why Dad?"
"You're too young to remember. Your father took
it hard when he lost his job, and..."
The priest's voice trailed off.
"Then it wasn't my fault, Father? It wasn't
because of me?"
"Of course not, Melvin! Come on now, come away
from the edge!"
The boy turned to face O'Brien, but the priest had leapt from the cliff.