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It had been a year-and-a-half since his hearing. He did his best to not to get into trouble in prison; he wanted to be out as soon as possible.

He found out six months into his sentence that Brandon had been charged for the murders and sentenced to life in prison. Everything was finally as it should be.

A guard approached Andy as he returned from the courtyard. Andy sat down on a stool and wiped the sweat off his face that he had accumulated from lifting weights.

"I've got some good news for you, Andy," said the guard with his thumbs in his belt loops. "You are being let go on parole today for good behavior, you're going home!"

Andy threw the towel in his hand down onto the table and looked up to the guard.

"I'm going to miss you, man. Sure was nice having someone wake me up every morning," said Andy with a chuckle. The guard looked at Andy with a smile.

"I've never seen someone like you in here, Andy. I hope you do good on the outside. Don't let me see you back in here." Andy stood up from the table.

"I don't plan on ever coming back here." With that the guard walked away and Andy went back to his normal routine.

At noon Andy gathered the few belongings he had in his cell and made his bed. This had been the room he looked at for a year-and-a-half; he almost felt sad to leave it, but he knew he had something to look forward to on the outside. An officer escorted him through door after door, eventually arriving at the final door. Andy was anxious; he couldn't wait to see everyone again.

He stepped outside and was hit by the midsummer heat. He immediately recognized a few familiar faces. He looked around and saw Russel, Ronald, and Otis. They all came up to him.

"Congratulations, Andy!" Ronald offered his hand for a handshake. Andy shook it as he thanked him. "I'm glad to see you out. You look dank, Andy." He then met face to face with Russel, who also held out his hand for a hand shake. Andy leaned in to give him a hug, happy to see his friend after all this time.

"You look dank, man," said Russell as he balanced himself back onto his crutches, "it's good to see you again." Andy then turned to Otis. Otis was dressed in a T-shirt and cargo shorts. Andy had never seen him dressed casually; he only ever saw him in his work uniform. Otis stood solid as Andy approached him. Andy stood looking at him, not knowing what to do next. Andy then opened his arms to hug Otis. Andy held Otis tightly as tears rolled down his face. He felt joy and happiness for what felt like the first time in years. Andy released his grip and Otis leaned back to look at Andy.

"Don't leave me again," said Otis drying his eyes with his hands.

"I won't," said Andy hugging Otis tightly again.

---

Andy walked from the truck yard and into the building with his gear in hand. He set it down into his locker and headed past the front desk.

"I'm heading out Sandy, I'll see you tomorrow." Sandy turned and gave Andy a smile.

"See you tomorrow, Andy! Oh, and happy birthday!"

"Thanks, Sandy!" replied Andy with a smile as he walked out the door.

He started his drive back home, studying the golden autumn leaves as he drove.

This time he made a turn he normally wouldn't make. He pulled into a cemetery and stepped out of his car with flowers in his hand. He looked across the ground, dotted with headstones. He walked to a headstone and kneeled down.

Sean Redmond. June 12th, 1984 - October 9th, 2013

He set the flowers down in front of the headstone and sat for a while, taking in the serenity of his surroundings. He felt a tear roll down his face, but it wasn't out of sadness. Everything was how it should be now.

He stood up and walked back to his car. He pulled back onto the road and continued his drive back home. He stopped at a rail crossing as a train went by. He recognized the number, twenty-nine. Otis usually managed it, but Otis wasn't working today. The train ended and he continued his drive.

He pulled into the driveway and unlocked the door. He set his keys down and took off his shoes. He walked into the kitchen and caught someone's attention.

"Andy!" Otis called out as he walked over to him. "Happy birthday! How was work?" Andy gave Otis a tight hug before answering.

"It was business as usual." Otis looked up at Andy.

"Good. I made your favorite for dinner, hamburgers and beer." Otis and Andy both chuckled. Andy looked at Otis and felt happy; he felt content with his life. "Russel should be here any minute, so go get changed." Andy walked into the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror and studied his own face momentarily. He didn't look tired, he looked happy. He pulled off his shirt and studied his side. The fur had grown back over the scar. He brushed his fingers across it, feeling the bump.

He changed his clothes and walked back into the kitchen, dressed in a button-up shirt and jeans.

"Happy birthday!" he heard a familiar voice yell out. It was Russel. Andy came over to hug him. "How's it feel to be 36?" asked Russel while sitting down.

"Better than being 37!" Andy said with a chuckle, Russel and Otis also laughing.

They enjoyed dinner, laughing and talking about their days. Andy looked around the table at Otis and Russel, their faces filled him with content and happiness. He looked at Otis, his smile reminding him why he loved him so much.

Russel bid Andy and Otis goodbye as he got into the car, his sister helping him in. They honked as they drove away while Andy stood with Otis by his side. They walked back into the house and tidied up a bit before going to bed, talking about anything that came to mind.

The next morning they both woke up at 5:30AM. They sat on the deck watching the sunrise. Andy lifted his mug into the air.

"To Sean." Otis lifted his mug up as well.

"To Sean."