The gravedigger plunged his shovel into the dirt again. He wasn’t thinking any deep thoughts like “Who is the hole for? How did they die?” No, all the young digger was thinking was that it was hot and he was ready to go home. Beside him, his cousin worked with equal determination, with similar sweat dripping from his hair in the hot July sun.

The first digger was the younger of the two; only fourteen years old. His cousin was only a year older, though their maturity levels were decades apart. They shared the same short frame and bright blue eyes amid a face of light freckles. Along with physical features, they shared a worth ethic. An honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. Anything less was stealing. At the moment, the cousins were putting their work ethic to full use. They had been working since nine that morning, and noon was just passing. The day had gotten hotter and hotter; three hours and six feet later, the Texas heat was nearly unbearable.