‘The Squashbuckler Diaries’ are the daily tales of Joy Shelley’s Life in the Dream. The ‘Lost in Dreams’ books will tell the story of what happens to her at ages 6, 9, 12, 15, and so on. The diaries tell us what happens before, after, and between the books.

#40: Everything Is Awesome

Dragon Father and Dragon Little returned to Bonny’s Revenge after a long adventure, and Dragon Father felt victorious and happy.

He took the helm and Bonny’s Revenge, the wooden, stolen pirate ship that serves as their home and base, rose into the sky.

“That was so awesome!” Dragon father smiled to himself and looked back at his daughter. “I can’t believe that worked! I can’t believe my idea worked!”

Dragon Little was leaning on the railing and staring at the clouds as they grew closer.

Having received no response, Dragon Father looked back at her. “Joy? Everything okay?”

“Uh huh.”

“You enjoyed the adventure, right?”

“Uh huh.”

Dragon Father’s brows furrowed. “What did you think about it?”

“It was awesome,” she said absentmindedly.

“What did you enjoy about it?”

“Everything. It was awesome.”

Dragon Father stopped the ship in mid-air and came to stand near Dragon Little.

“Did you think my idea to save us was good?”

“Yeah, it was awesome.”

“Uh huh. And the part before, where we had to run?”

“I told you. It was awesome.”

“Uh huh. What, particularly, was especially awesome for you?”

She shrugged. “Everything.”

“Ahhhh… was there any part you didn’t like?”

“Dad!” she exploded impatiently. “How many times do I have to tell you it was awesome?! I told you everything! How many times do you need to ask?! What’s the matter with you?!”

Dragon Little waved him away and went into her cabin.

Dragon Father stood behind, staring at the door. “Geez… That’s new…” he mumbled to himself.

After a minute, he took another step towards the cabin, and disappeared in mid-stride. He had woken up.

Dragon Little remained behind in the cabin.

—Told by The Red Dragon


See how I came up with the idea for this post:

#41: Where Should We Go?

#39: The Trampoline Stairs