“General Hawk,” Justin turns to the grave. “You protected my daughter when she was all alone.” Joy clings to his pants as he speaks. “You saved her life at the cost of yours. You became a dear friend to her.”
Joy buries her head in Justin’s pants. He puts his hand on her head and continues. “You were a hero and a great man and a great friend. I will always thank you for everything you did.”
Everyone nods. The dozens of bird people filling the backyard of our apartment on this tiny island is nodding as well.
Justin takes Joy in his hands. “You want to say a few words to General Hawk?”
Joy nods. She purses her lips, then inhales. The pain seems to vanish as she suddenly seems to control herself. “General Hawk,” she says. “You died a glorious death. You are a great hero and a great friend. And I will remember you forever! And so will Charlie! And so will Dad! We will always remember you! And when I die, people will remember me!”
I see Justin giving Joy a frightened look. That look disappears. Joy continues, “I love you, General Hawk.”
Joy begins to cry and buries her head in Justin’s chest.
He caresses her and holds her.
He gives her a couple of minutes, then looks up.
Master Mind says in his robotic words, “General Hawk, even in your last minutes, you claimed you were a villain. You were no villain. You died a hero. You saved the Little Pirate’s life. Your sacrifice was brave and worthy and successful. In your last day you became a hero, not a villain.”
Justin nods. “That is beautiful. Thank you.”
Suddenly Charlie bursts out crying. “This is all my fault!” he shouts.
(To be continued…)
—Told by Grampa Walt