Justin parks Bonny’s Revenge near one of the suns. The suns, of course, are small tunnels leading out of each dream. The circumference of the tunnel’s exit shines outwardly and lights Justin’s entire dream. But close by, if you’re close to the tunnel and right in front of it, the light shines past you and you’re not  blinded. 

Justin is so precise that he parks Bonny’s Revenge in such a way that the plank almost touches the edge of the tunnel. 

Justin goes first. Joy follows him, holding Charlie’s hand. I try to cross, but as soon as the plank wobbles, my legs shake and I almost lose my balance. Master Mind grabs me, then just jumps into the tunnel. 

As the group continues to Joy’s first authorized ‘outing’ into other people’s dreams, I look back through the tunnel at Suzy, standing on Bonnie’s Revenge’s deck. 

She waves at me. 

I know that face. She’s afraid for us, she’s afraid one of us isn’t going to make it, and she’s trying to hide it. 

I want to tell her we’ll be fine. But right now my heart’s beating fast, and I’m not as brave as I thought I would be. 

I’ve been with Justin in life-threatening dreams. I was brave then, fearless, super logical. That’s what he needed me to be and that’s what I was. 

But that last time he summoned me, as the real me, the real grandfather that Joy should know, he summoned me as I was. At least, as I know myself now. I don’t really know if there are differences between me and the me who lives in Justin in Canada, unaware that this is going on. So I’m afraid now. 

And I know full well that had I ‘died’ in one of those dangerous dreams, Justin would have just summoned me again. But now, apparently, once Joy has touched me out of love, dead is dead. If I die, Justin won’t be able to bring me back.

But I want to see. I want to discover a new world. I want to see what my granddaughter does and take part in it. And, maybe maybe maybe, one day I’ll even be the one thing that saves Joy’s life. 

I wave at Suzy and follow Master Mind. 

Charlie’s right there next to him, walking slowly. 

From what I’ve seen over the last month, he’s a great kid, very smart, with a good heart. But bravery is not his forte. 

“How’re you doing, kid?” I ask him. 

He shakes his head. “I’m really going to try not to kill anyone.” 

(To be continued…)

—Told by Grampa Walt