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Epilogue 2

Harleen is old. Old and barley alive. I sit by her bedside holding her frail hand. She can barely speak, but she isn’t in pain.

“Harleen, daughter, are you certain this is what you want? You can live like me. We can continue this journey forever. I’m not sure I want to do this alone.”

She turns her head to look at me, “It’s okay, Dad. You will be fine. You have a crew of able-bodied people. You don’t need me. Besides, I’m more of a Milton-minded kind of gal. We live, we die, it’s what we do while living that makes us immortal.”

I don’t want to let her go, but she is my daughter, and I love her so much. If this is what she wants, who am I to not follow her wishes?

“Thank you, Harleen. Thank you for giving me hope, giving me purpose. I love you with all my heart, my sweet daughter.”

She manages a smile as her last breath leaves her body. I lean in to kiss her forehead, and I feel her energy leave her body.

I smile. “See you soon, Harleen.”

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