2. --Flashback-- The sun shined through the window pane, illuminating River's face. It had been a peaceful slumber; one that he would remember for a very long time. Birds chirped, flowers bloomed, and the sky was cloudless. River jumped out of bed, running into the kitchen. "Mommy! Mommy!" "Good morning, River. Did you have a nice sleep?" "The best!" "Good. Come, sit down and eat. You need your nutrition. We have a long day ahead of us." River's mother retrieved a bowl from the cabinet and had just started to pour the oatmeal in it when she glanced at the picture that was posted on the refrigerator. It was a middle-aged, handsome, well-built man, standing in a field, wielding an axe. He leaned on a tree stump, flexing his arm. His smile was the best part. It seemed to stretch from ear to ear, flashing his flawless, white teeth. River caught his mother's line of view. "Mommy, when is daddy coming home?" "Finish eating Riv. Then go outside and play. It's a beautiful day." River reluctantly rose from the table and started walking towards the door. "You didn't answer my question, mommy." With that, River ran outside. River's mother crumpled to the ground, bursting into tears. She crawled over to the picture on the refrigerator, pounding her fists against it until they started to throb. River loved his father, but the sad truth was that he knew he wasn't coming back. --end of flashback--