Part 18

EPILOGUE



And then, there was a knock at the door. It was Papa. "Hello, Casey" he said. "We...we need to talk. Can I come in?"



"Your Mama and I have been...worried about you for some time."



"It's like you're barely here."



"Your grades are slipping, you don't show any interest in volleyball, or your friends, or us, or anything other than that computer."



"Something's obviously wrong. Can you tell me?"



I tore my eyes away from Amy's screen.



"Papa" I said slowly.



"I know what I want to do with my life."



"I want to work with these things."



"I want to make them run, and help them develop, and do new things."



"That's what I want to be."



"What do I have to do?"



He smiled, and took me in his arms, just like I was little again.



"Oh, Casey. There's lots of things you have to do."



"It's not impossible. If that's genuinely how you feel, Mama and I will support you."



"But you have to meet us halfway."



"Start living your life again."



"And maybe...switch this off once in a while?"



"Thank you, Papa" I said. "Just give me a moment?"



He nodded. "As long as it is just a moment." And he left me to it.



I looked at Amy. Somehow, she looked slightly smaller.



I'll always love you, Emilia.