This was NOT the story I was expecting. There is a surprise regarding Billy and his brothers that isn't even remotely hinted at anywhere, and it's going to tug at a few readers' heart-strings. I did shed a couple of tears for this one. 
 In my opinion, that was the best way the story could have ended. Then again, I don't generally read Andrew's works if I'm looking for a lot of angst, so it was the ending I expected of the possibilities. I really enjoyed it.