I love and hate this ending. I love how it's kind of open ended and makes you think a little bit. Of course that makes me hate it too. But it's a good kind of hate.
The implication is that Bert is telling the truth but then it also just be that he’s full of crap and Ray could just be acting like the mature person in the room by not engaging in Bert’s taunting.
Also I really like that this isn't overdone with angst. Now it does have plenty of angst to go around but its not over stewed angst soup for the most part and it easily could have been. This had me staying up a few more minutes than I should have but it was well worth it.
Thank you for not giving up on this fic.
M