Epilogue
The sun was setting on the river. Still swollen from winter snowmelt and spring rains, it rain swiftly around the stilled boat. Charlie stood near the stern, watching the waters take them. The air was orange, like a campfire.
When he was ready, he made his way carefully back to his seat next to Don. "Thanks for coming with me."
"Wouldn't miss it. Did we get to this part of the river, last year?"
Charlie smiled as the boat ran smoothly toward its dock. "No. We mostly only got to the medical clinic."
Don laughed. "Do you feel like baking a cake?"
"What?"
"Dad told me you baked four cakes a couple of nights before we left. Took one to school, sent one to the senior center with him, gave two to neighbors."
"I've found it relaxing. And what about the brownies?"
"What brownies?"
"I made brownies that night, too. I took them to your office the next day, on my way to school."
"You did?"
"Yeah. You weren't in yet, but I gave them to Colby."
Don groaned. "You even have to ask?"
Charlie snickered beside him, shivered a little. "Next time I need some baking therapy, I'll be sure you're directly involved."
"I'd appreciate that."
The two were silent for a time.
"They're home, now," Charlie finally said. "The river was always their home. It feels…it feels finished."
"You did right by them. This was a good idea."
"When we get back to the motel, we'll call Dad."
"Okay. Then, I have an idea."
"What?"
"Neither of us is flying the plane, tomorrow. Let's go have a drink. Or I'll have a drink and you'll watch, like usual. Either way, it's time to renew our contract, I think."
"Why?"
Don pressed his shoulder harder into Charlie's. "Because we're here. Because we're together. Because I want to."
"Okay," Charlie finally agreed. "But we renew it all."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll be careful, I'll be careful — and we'll both always remember what's important."
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FINISA/N: A dark tale, but one that I hope shows that there is light even in the darkness, for us all.