Epilogue – James

Two years later

Home sweet home.

Port Hope hasn’t changed a bit in the two years we’ve been away. Even though I haven’t set foot here in so long, everything appears to have gone on as normal. The cabin is a little bigger—I had the builders extend it in preparation for when we got back—and some of the trees look like they could use a good surgeon... I’ll look into that tomorrow... But the town itself looked exactly the same as I left it when we drove through.

“James Morelock, I thought I wasn’t ever going to see you again.”

Bill Hendy greets me as I climb out of the cab. I wave to him, but I scoot around to the other side to hold the door for my wife. Everly is seven months pregnant now with our first child, and she’s finding it difficult to get up or down from a seated position. It took us a while longer than we’d both hoped for her to get pregnant because of some medical issues. But with good doctors and time, her belly is full of me now, and I’m the proudest man in the world.

“I think that nurse was wrong,” she says. “This is twins. I’m sure of it.”

“I think you’ll be pleased with the way the work’s been done on the cabin, James. I kept an eye on it while the builders were in. Everything’s ready for you, and I had the cleaner leave fresh flowers in all the rooms.”

“Thanks, Bill,” I say, grinning. His standards are as exacting as mine. “Come on, Mom.” I take her arm, and she groans as she gets up onto her feet.

The surgeon did an excellent job. I mean, my mom is still a bit wobbly on her feet, and we’ve been told she’ll be on crutches for the next six months, along with a warning that she may never be fully mobile again. But this is such an improvement from the way things used to be. After my dad died on the heels of what happened, it knocked her sideways. She didn’t really know what to do. Drinking and drugs followed, and they shot her nerves, made her not want to walk. Eventually, her leg muscles atrophied, and despite getting her clean, I wasn’t able to fix her up the way I wanted to. Well, now she’s walking on her own. It’s a small miracle, and I’m thankful every day that I’ve been able to do this for her.

“Well, let’s get inside,” Everly says, taking my mom’s arm from me. “Junior is saying he’s hungry again.”

Everly and my mom get along like they’ve known each other all their lives. I have to admit, I feel a little jealous sometimes, the way it seems like they would be friends with or without me, but I’m happy too. They’re the two most important people in my life, and they wouldn’t be apart for anything.

As for Everly’s work, the university couldn’t have been happier with the research she did on Port Hope’s shark population. Seems that the things she uncovered have caused ripples which have got her noticed in some pretty important circles. In fact, that’s why we’re back. The university is opening up a small department right here in town, a research facility to study the hammerheads, and they’ve asked Everly to head up the team—after her maternity leave, of course.

***

“Can we talk business?”

Hendy has cornered me in the kitchen of the cabin while I prepare a meal. It won’t be much right now, but my wife has a healthy appetite these days.

“Sure, Bill, what’s up?”

“The sawmill.”

“What about it?”

“I’ve been keeping an eye on things, like you asked me to.” He holds up a hand. “Don’t worry, everything is running perfectly. Production is up, sales are holding steady, and the quality we’re putting out goes from strength to strength. Old Greg Pollack still runs it like a machine, and he’s happier these days with the financial side of things left to someone else.”

“But?”

“You asked me to let you know when he started talking about retirement.”

“Okay. So tell me about Lance.”

Hendy nods, a slight smile playing on his lips. “He’s really cleaned up his act. Gets in early, does a good job. He was recommended for promotion by his supervisor, and I approved it. He now has his own section, and the work coming out of it is top-notch. He’s a hard worker, James. I know the two of you are never going to be friends, but he deserves a chance if you’re willing to give it to him.”

“Good,” I say. Nothing will ever bring my sister back, and making Lance Pollack suffer for what happened isn’t going to change anything. There’s no reason why two lives have to be ruined over what happened that night. “Start the ball rolling. Let Greg know that as soon as he wants to, he can retire with a full pension, and that his son will be taking over where he leaves off.”

“And I can tell Lance the good news?”

I catch a hint of a gleam in Hendy’s eye, and it takes me by surprise. Then I start to laugh. “Bill Hendy, are you serious? You and Lance Pollack?”

“He’s a nice guy, James.”

I slap him on the shoulder. “I’m pleased. Really, I am. You deserve someone.”

“How long is that food going to be?” Everly has appeared in the doorway. “I’m starving!”

I grin, pull her in close, and kiss her cheek. “I love you,” I say, stroking her belly. “Both of you.”