rick and the boys stand by the river looking up a huge embankment. there appears to be no permanent trail. looking up, scattered people sit at different levels on the climb.
rick caries the boys. phillip is draped across his shoulder. nicholas hangs around his neck. kris clings to rick's leg and is dragged with each step. they pass a weary climber who has taken a moment to catch his breath.
the boys are dragging rick up the hill.
the boys' do a victory dance at the top of the hill, their arms extended far above their heads. kris stops for a moment and then tugs at his father's shirt. rick tries to ignore the child but then stops mid-dance.
rick holds a college pamphlet. rick's pov: he looks at the pamphlet then up to see they aren't even close to the top. they have just reached a plateau along the way.
rick and the boys continue their climb. the breaths are heavy, but they march steadily upward.
rick and the boys stop to rest. kris throws a rock while rick is looking away. rick looks up to find phillip picking up a stone.
rick falls flat on his face. he lays there motionless.
rick comes to another plateau and finds melanie waiting for him.