AN: I've been sick and, even though I just got it, I've been spending a lot of time on AIM, since I'm super bored. Sooo if you have AIM, please IM me at MadiWillow (how do I come up with these things?). Don't worry, I'm friendly. ;-)

I was supposed to wait until tonight to post this chapter, but, alas, I'm busy. So you guys get it earlier as opposed to later! Yay!

The last chapter! -cries- Another story completed... I always feel good when I complete a story. I don't know why.

Well, read and review!

Title: Tales of a Broken Man: The Troy Bolton Story
Rating: T
Author: MadiWillow
Summary: A memoir on the life of famous NBA basketball player, Troy Bolton.
Genre: Drama/Tragedy
Chapter: Epilogue

Epilogue

I'm now an old man fifty-seven, and I feel as though I've lived my life to the fullest I possibly could have. I've made damn sure that no one in this world will ever forget what happened to my wife and daughter by starting SWH, the Society for Widowed Husbands, or, as it's more commonly been known, the Gabriella and Isabella Foundation.

In the years after Bailey's sentencing, I gave many interviews, deciding that if people wanted to hear about me, why not let them? I have been interviewed by Meredith Vieira for Dateline, Lesley Stahl for 60 Minutes, and Larry King for Larry King Live, among others. In addition, Primetime did an hour-long special on the case and I was interviewed for it, along with Christina Martin and a couple of mine and Gabriella's friends, by Cynthia McFadden. Christina and I also conducted interviews with People magazine, although not at the same time.

Christina and I have remained very good friends up until this day. She is now married with a family, but we still keep in touch and talk to each other if we're having problems. She has not seen nor spoken to her brother since his final sentencing, and tells me that she's happy she did the right thing and testified against him.

All of my friends are married with families as well. Some of them are even grandparents, and I try and visit them as much as I can. I'm an old man living all alone; I need some company every once in a while.

Gabriella's and Isabella's murders aren't the only troubles I've had in life, sadly. Ten years ago, both my parents were killed in a car accident. That was extremely difficult; all of my family were now gone. Yet, I was able to get through with it the same way I got through my wife's and daughter's; with the satisfaction that I'll see them again some day.

And that day may come sooner than I thought. Not many people are aware, but for the last year I've been suffering from throat cancer. I lost my ability to talk six months ago, which drove me to write this book. If I can no longer talk, the best way to leave my thoughts and memories behind are to put my words on paper.

I'm not sure if I'll ever see the day where Bailey is finally executed, but at the same time, I don't really care. He's still appealing the case, thirty years later, but I seriously doubt he's going to get his sentence changed after all this time. As long as he's in jail, and everyone knows what a monster he is, I'm content.

And now, as I sit here in my office, in my lonely house writing this book, I can finally say that I'm satisfied with how my life turned out. Of course, I would trade anything to have Gabriella sitting next to me right now, possibly watching our grandchildren, but that won't happen. I've come to realize that I can't change the past. But considering the direction my life went in, I'm proud to say that I was able to make the best of it.

Editor's Note: Mr. Troy Bolton died shortly before his book was due to be published. The publishing company had planned to pull the plug on the book, until Mr. Bolton's will was discovered. He requested the book still be published and all proceeds be donated to The Gabriella and Isabella Foundation.