Kara lasted three weeks after the wedding. I was sitting with her a week before she died when she made her last request.

"Wiley, we need to consummate this marriage. Married people are supposed to sleep together. Will you lie down on the bed with me?"

I was uneasy, both over the moral implications and because of her increasing frailty. But she was so determined that I eased onto the bed, on top of the covers.

"This is much better" she said snuggling under my arm. I lay there, hugging her until she went to sleep. Emotionally drained, I dozed off also.

I woke to see Nurse Peters standing at...