
My comment on the ending: When I began the last chapter, I assumed Mike was at the cemetery/grave site/where the ashes were scattered -- but then his niece was there, too, so I guess he was at his typewriter/word processor/computer -- back where he was living before he left on his journey.
Where did YOU, the author, consider him to be?

Sequel? I'd vote 'no' at this time -- subject to change as time goes by!