The kids calm down a bit. Joy seems to have forgotten that we think she is not treated like a child. Charlie has stopped trying to change the way he looks. The adults, by which I mean the Dreamers, are not back yet from their various adventures. And the kids sit down where they started, legs hanging out of the railing, and looking at Joy’s scraped knee. 

For some reason, Charlie accidentally touches her knee. 

“Ow,” he says, as if it hurt him. “Sorry.” 

Joy now touches her scraped knee. “Ow,” she says. 

He touches it. “Ow,” he says. 

“Ow,” she does it. 

“Ow!” 

“Owwww!” 

“Owwwwww!” 

“Owwwwwwww” 

By now they’re screaming as they each touch the knee.

I bow my head. This is hurting my ears. 

“Owwww!” 

“Owwww!” 

“Owwww!” 

“Owwww!” 

“Owwww!” 

I sigh inwardly. Most days are fun following and guarding Joy and being her grandfather. But today? I wish I had stayed home with Suzy. 

“Owwww!” 

“Owwww!” 

“Owwww!” 

“Owwww!” 

I hope Charlie wakes up soon.

—Told by Grampa Walt