Little Amy was only nine years old when her uncle Stanley died.

It was difficult for her to cope with this terrible death as she spent most of her summer vacation days with her loving uncle.

Amy's father had always worked long hours and Uncle Stanley was the father figure in her life.

Stanley, who'd been divorced for quite some time, had no children, and Amy was his only salvation

from a lonely existence. He was buried in the cemetery just two blocks up from her house,

and she would go visit his grave every day sometimes more than once.

It was on a particularly hot August night when Amy's parents had prepared to go out to a fancy restaurant across town.

Both being hard-working professionals and leading a busy life, they felt they'd owed themselves this rare treat.

They were running late to make their eight o'clock reservation. Paul,

Amy's older brother, was scheduled to show up at 7.30 to babysit Amy, but had not yet arrived.

Seeing that her parents were running late, Amy assured them that she would be fine waiting by herself.

She then hurried them to go out and have a good time. They both kissed her goodbye

and drove off. Amy was so involved playing with her dolls that she hadn't noticed how fast the

time was flying by. Paul had not yet arrived. As the big chime clock in the living room struck

11, distant thunder was heard. Amy began to be scared. This unlikely

summer storm was growing louder and mightier by the moon. She took her dolls with her and ran

to her parents' bedroom and pulled the blankets over her head. She lay there shivering when suddenly

a deafening thunderclap exploded and a brilliant lightning flash

illuminated the whole house.

The power in the house went dead.

Amy picked up the phone receiver to try and call her parents' cell phone, but the phone line

was dead as well.

...