Dredga Papa — Elaine Waldron

It is with a heavy heart that Dredga Papa observes the pretty little female humanoid, Myhra, blossom into adulthood. Chances are, she will never have a mate or know the joy of offspring. And something he hasn't told her, he is dying - of old age. He has lived a long eight hundred and ninety nine years and has nothing to complain about. He has had his time, has loved taking care of the orphaned girl, and he's ready to go. Only, it saddens him deeply that he has to leave her soon. He needs to tell her, but it is not going to be an easy task.

Dredga Papa is a science fiction short story.