“Happy is he who dares courageously to defend what he loves.”

– Ovid, ancient Roman poet

“What are you going to get?”

All I had was a quarter. The grape soda would cost 15 cents, but what should I buy with the remaining dime? A bag of chips or maybe a Cuban Lunch, my favourite chocolate bar? When you’re 12 years old, such decisions require serious thought. I was at the Fort Assiniboine Rodeo with my friend Kenny. Our families had traveled together to the event. Our fathers had given us each a quarter to spend at the concession. The day was August hot as we stood in line with the other hungry and thirsty rodeo attendees.

I had decided on the Cuban Lunch but when I turned to tell Kenny, he had disappeared. Call it intuition or fear, b...

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