Chapters (31)
- The Long and Winding Road
- Table of Contents
- Dedication
- Epigraph
- Prologue: Or, Where Bear Answers the Door
- PAST
- 1. Where Bear Makes the Wrong Assumption
- 2. Where Bear Finds Out
- 3. Where Bear Makes a Decision
- 4. Where Bear Learns the Art of Breathing
- 5. Where Bear Has Bro-Time with Creed
- PRESENT
- 6. Where Bear Attends the Most Awkward Homecoming Ever
- 7. Where Bear Tells Tyson Everything
- 8. Where Bear Makes a Promise
- 9. Where Bear Goes to Lamaze Class
- 10. Where Bear Gets Advice About His Sex Life
- 11. Where Bear and Otter Role-Play at a Hotel Bar
- 12. Where Bear Faces the Reality of Married Life
- 13. Where Bear Sees Everything Change
- FUTURE
- 14. The Long and Winding Road
- Epilogue: Or, Otter’s Perspective, As It Were
- Coda
- No. Absolutely not. No way.
- More from TJ Klune
- Readers love the Bear, Otter, and the Kid Chronicles by TJ Klune
- About the Author
- By TJ Klune
- Visit Dreamspinner Press
- Copyright
“Ow,” Noah says, and no one mentions it when he wipes his eyes. “You don’t have to hit me.”
“I do when you spent forever angsting over it. You know Daddy likes hippies.”
“That’s pretty much true,” I agree.
“And they’re married, in case you couldn’t tell.” She rolls her eyes. “They’re not going to disown you, you idiot. Now maybe you can finally ask Ethan out on a date and—”
“A date?” I say with a frown. “Now just hold on a minute. I didn’t say that.”
“Oh no,” Noah moans. “He’s going to start freaking out.”
“I’m sorry!” Lily exclaims. “I didn’t mean to say—”
“Dad, why are you making that face?” Caleb asks me. “It’s all scrunched up and stuff.”
“Now I’m never going to get to ask Ethan out,” Noah says, slumping back against the booth.
“Oh, I didn’t say that,” I manage to say. “In fact, why don’t you invite him over this afternoon. Just make sure to give me enough time to get my baseball bat out.”
“Dad!”
“Don’t tell him about the condoms that JJ bought for you to—oops.”
“Lily!”
“The what?”
Okay. Yeah. Maybe Bear will freak after all.
Coda
OTTER! OTTER! Otter!
Don’t lead cows to slaughter!
I love you, and I know
I should have told you soon-a
But you didn’t buy the dolphin-safe tuna!
BEAR! BEAR! Bear!
I’ve got something to say! Don’t be scared!
Bacon is bad! Beef is wrong!
Mad Cow disease stays with you for a time that’s long!
I want you to be mine, can’t you see?
That’s why I’m down, down on my knee!
It may not yet be legal,
but it’s better than eating a beagle,
so won’t you please marry me?
SHE WOULD have said that family is all a person needs
and it wouldn’t matter if they’re near or far.
All that matters is the lesson we must heed:
to know that this is us, that this is who we are.
No. Absolutely not. No way.
NO. ABSOLUTELY not. No way.
I know what you’re thinking: But, Tj! You could continue this! THERE COULD TOTALLY BE MORE.
Nope.
There will not be BOATK: The Next Generation, with Bear and Otter as the wizened old parents and Ty as the epic uncle, watching these kids grow up and find their way.
(Goddammit. That gave me ideas.)
It’s time, folks. It’s time for me to close this door. It’s time for me to say goodbye. These guys have been with me for the better part of a decade, and have given me more than I ever thought possible.