Epilogue: WaitingVinnie, approximately one year later
Vinnie sat cross-legged, drawing pad in his lap, beside Chief Klah at the central hearth, keeping him company. The other elders were out getting some exercise or fishing. They were old, not infirm. Except for the chief. His time on this earth was drawing to a close.
Leo and Vinnie were not yet a part of the elder’s circle, but they were tribe members in good standing, and should they live to be old enough, fully expected to join that hearth one day. Typically, Vinnie would be out gathering at this time—probably acorns since it was a boom year for them, and they were dropping.
But the chief was failing, and that meant they were nearing the time when Vinnie and Leo’s younger counterparts would pop through that portal for a brief stay i
