The Grinch sat on the top of Mount Crumpet, knees to his chest, and as he gazed at the ledge, his mind wandered through the past.

He found himself doing this often, letting his thoughts stray, ever since Martha May Whovier had cheated on him - slept with his nemesis, Mayor Augustus MayWho. The Grinch couldn't say he'd been surprised. The Mayor had never relinquished his attempts to win Martha's heart. Nor had Martha ever sent the Mayor away with instructions never to return. Still, the Grinch's heart had been broken when he had discovered her affair. Not that he and Martha had ever been legally bound, but they had been dating. And the Grinch swore off all women then and there.

Cindy Lou Who had been a great help, offering comfort whenever the Grinch needed it most. But she was still a child. And had no concept of these matters except that her friend had been hurt because Martha had done something bad. Horribly bad.

As grateful as the Grinch was for her love and support, he knew that Cindy was not to be a confidant; someone to hear about all his problems. She was too young. And innocent. And sweet.

The Grinch sighed and rested his chin on his knees.

There was only one person he would talk to at a time such as this, when his world was crashing down around him. But she wasn't here anymore. She'd left him. Courtesy of Mayor Who. And if she were to magically return, the Grinch would be so ecstatic that this whole Martha thing would seem like a bad dream; something he wouldn't forget but something to be overlooked and dismissed easily.

But she wouldn't come back for the very simple reason that she couldn't.

As much as he wanted her to.

Blast Mayor Who! How did he always manage to steal whatever made the Grinch happy?

How fondly the Grinch remembered her still... nine years old. Falling right outside his lair. Her blue eyes filled with surprise and fear. Her red hair dancing in the wind, flecked with the white of the softly falling snow...