Epilogue: Home Again
A few days later, Low Light pulled up to a nursing home a short drive away from Crosby, North Dakota. Wincing a little as he got out of his vehicle, he began a slow and methodical walk of the halls until he got to the main visitors' area. Silently he glanced at all the faces in the room until he found the one he was looking for. It belonged to a thin and frail old man who was sitting in a wheelchair with a blanket over his legs. Low Light took a few deep breaths and walked straight over to the man. The old man did not notice him at first, but when he did he looked right up at him and gazed into Low Light's eyes. For a few seconds nothing was said between the two men. Finally, Low Light crouched down to put himself at eye-level with the old man. "Hi, dad," said Low Light finally.
A warm smile crossed the man's lips. "Cooper!" said his father, who suddenly didn't seem so elderly. "It's been a long time, son. What brings you here?"
"Ah," stammered Low Light. "I've just been thinking about you a lot lately and I wanted to come and see how you were doing."
"I'm doing just fine," said his father proudly. "The doctors say there's no reason why I shouldn't outlive all of them."
Low Light smiled. "That's great, dad," he began. "Hey! Let's go outside and get some sun. It's kinda dark in here."
"Sure," said his father. "Do you want me to get an orderly?"
"No," replied Low Light. "I can handle it."
With that, Low Light took the brake off the wheelchair and pushed his father down the hall and out the door so that they could go for a stroll in the garden. "So how is that team you're with working out for you?" asked his father. "They treating you good?"
"I have no complaints," said Low Light.
"Good," said his father.
"Dad?" said Low Light as he stopped the wheelchair and once again put on the brake.
"What is it, Cooper?" asked his father.
"Nothing," said Low Light. "I just wanted to let you know that I loved you, that's all."
"I love you, too, son," said his father with a tearful smile. "And despite all the things I ever said to you when you were growing up, I couldn't be more proud of you."
The End.