Shadowplay

- EPILOGUE -

They say this city ain't got a heart, but lord, it sure knows how to break one. Ted, my little brother, he always had a way of wrangling with 'em shadows, chasing after justice like it was a wild horse on the run. We grew up under these wide-open skies, learning quick that right and wrong ain't always so clear-cut.

Still surprised Franky didn't recognise me back there. Ain't like we ever formally met in the first place. Heck, ain't seen Ted in over five years 'til he found out I was in town. Moved out here with my sweetpea Mary-Anne ages ago, 'spose he never got the memo. But this ain't about me.

Well, him and ol' Dolly got divorced, decided she had to start a new life after feelin' abandoned, and feelin' guilty for Sally-Mae's death, which was 'bout two days before Franky's own. Heartbreakin', but they're together again. Even though Franky was never the faithful type. Saw the way he was lookin' at Wanda. Purrdy for a waiter, I won't lie to ya.

Been here to support Ted for the past few months, bless his heart, poor fella just can't catch a break. It's like watchin' some kinda sitcom unfold right before my eyes. All four of 'em livin' together under one roof. Lil Cinzia with her pop and three uncles. Four, if ya count Franky's ashes, and five if ya count me. I'm right nextdoor, keepin' an eye on things while Theodore's out there stirrin' up trouble. Mary-Anne's a great aunt, tell ya what.

Them streets, they talk. And they been whisperin' 'bout Ted. Say he's still out there, huntin' down the bad guys and settin' things straight. He's got a knack for it, what was that french sayin'? A je ne sais quoi. takes after our old man, he does. stubborn as a damn mule and twice as tough. Ted, he's got a heart big as murica herself, always tryin' to make things right in a city that never sleeps.

So here I sit, watchin' the sun set over this ol' town, wonderin' where Theodore's gone off to now. But I ain't worried, no sir. Long as he's out there, fightin' the good fight, I reckon everything's gonna be just fine.

- Bartley 'Old Sawyer' Sawyer-Jamison.