“Take this carrot, and with it, save our world,” she said with all the solemnity and gravity her 11 year old face could muster. After handing off the aforementioned vegetable she had to right herself and adjust the light blue blanket around her neck as a cape, which she felt took away a little from the moment.

Toby, not noticing the adjustment and fully invested in the moment, replied in sincerity and gravity, “I shall take this carrot and do…my duty.” He rose from his kneeling position, checked his Spiderman belt buckle, straightened his chrome collander helmet, and turned to face the assembled audience, which consisted mostly of stuffed animals and Barbie dolls.

“Wait, sir knight,” she called with a quaver in her voice.

“Yes, milady?” he replied, a slight crack evident in his own adolescent voice.

“I love you. Stay strong.”

“I know. And what else can I be?” Everything to be said had been said. Holding his head aloft and the carrot before he strode down the aisle, out the door, and to his fate.