Chapter 50: Here's to Future Days

Etzli didn't embrace Pampaa right away. First, she had to touch his face, to make sure he was really there. Really real. Really alive.

"How?" She tugged at his scruffy beard, amazed. "How in the..."

"It's been quite a day," he smiled.

"But, I..." Etzli tried to hold back her emotions, but they crashed over her as she fought to get the words out. "I watched you die."

"Oh, my child, I am so sorry you had to see that." Pampaa wiped at his own tears, then raised an instructive finger. "However..."

Sniffling, Etzli rolled her eyes. "Oh man, here we go."

"At the risk of being pedantic, I submit that you saw me get blown up. Not die."

"Get over here." Etzli laughed through her tears and hugged her father tight.

"There's a difference," he said.

"There sure is." Wiping her nose, Etzli said, "I wanna introduce you to my friend."

Atee smiled as they turned to her.