Buher spoke even more softly, almost hypnotically. 'Forgive me if I quote the Bible,' he said, 'but in the First Book of the Corinthians it says, "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things." The time is coming when you will put away "childish things," when you will face up... to who you are.'

'Who I am?'

Buher nodded. ‘A great moment, Damien. You must already be feeling it.'

Damien was disturbed but fascinated. At first he had thought Buher was just trying to win him over in order to ingratiate himself with his father. But now Buher, of all people, had just articulated all the turmoil Damien had been feeling over the last few months; it was almost as if Buher could see into his soul. 'I think so,' said Damien slowly. 'I feel... I'm not sure, but I feel something's happening to me... going to happen.' He looked into Buher's eyes to see if that had registered.

Buher smiled. 'Suspicions of destiny, eh? We all have them. Your father, Bill Atherton… even myself.' He paused, and then said rather dramatically, 'I am an orphan too, did you know that?'

Damien shook his head.

'So I can share some of what you're going through. You probably first started having these feelings last June, didn't you?' Buher went on, 'When your real birthday was...’

Damien was astounded, but before he could say anything, Atherton called over to them. 'Hey, you two! Come on and join the fun!'

They looked over and saw that the cake-cutting ceremony had begun.

'C'mon, Damien!' said Mark impatiently. He was all ready to blow out the candles.

'And don't forget to make a wish!' Ann reminded them.

Damien ran to join Mark, relieved, in a way, to break away from Buher. He was burdening him with too much, too soon. Both boys took a deep, deep breath and together managed to blow out all thirteen candles that were spread around the vast circumference of the cake. Everyone cheered as they did so.

'Okay, guys,' said Ann. 'Cut the cake. We're all ravenous!'

'Before we do,' Damien said, 'I have a little something for Mark here.' He started to reach into his pocket.

'Gee,' said Mark slyly, 'I forgot to get you something.' But he was unable to keep a straight face, and reached into his pocket, too.

The boys' presents looked identical in size and shape, even down to the wrapping paper. Mark started to laugh. 'If you got me...' be began.

‘... the same thing I got you…' Damien continued.

They both looked at Ann and said, 'Mom!'