On the small island that now holds Suzy’s and mine’s suburban apartment, there isn’t a lot of room. Bonny’s Revenge, my son’s flying warship, is docked in the front. There’s a heap of dust which apparently has now remained behind and forever, right next to Bonny’s Revenge. Its purpose, apparently, is to get dirty post showers. And now, in the back, is a grave.

Joy, Justin, and Charlie dug a small hole, enough to put in a tombstone. 

Justin summoned the tombstone out of thin air and put it in place. 

The three of them covered its bottom with enough sand that it remains in place. 

The tombstone says: 

IN MEMORY OF GENERAL HAWK

A BRAVE AND NOBLE WARRIOR

YOU WILL BE MISSED

Suzy reads what it says to Joy and Charlie. Joy wipes away tears and clings to Justin. 

Master Mind is using me to lean on, since he is still only half-sewn together. 

“I believe you should say a few words,” I urge Justin, since they had all fallen silent, looking at the grave.

“Not yet,” Justin says. “We have more people coming.” 

He raises his eyes and suddenly I see the sky is full of… it seems like birds. 

As they get closer, I understand that these are not birds. These are dozens of huge bird people, all dressed in military uniform. They have the bodies of men and women but are about two meters high, and their wings, behind their backs, are big enough to hold them aloft. Their hands have talons, and their feet are the feet of huge birds. 

They all land in our backyard. There is no more room to stand and our flowers are being stepped on. But this is more important now.

“Who are they? Do you know them?” Charlie holds Joy’s hand, seemingly scared.

Now I notice that Suzy and I aren’t scared for some reason.

Joy nods. “They’re his army pals.” 

“We are,” states one of the bird people closest to the grave. “His Majesty’s Fifth Flying Regiment. We have come to pay last respects to our general.” 

Justin nods. “You are welcome here any time. Let’s begin.”

(To be continued…)

—Told by Grampa Walt