Charlie closes his eyes and tries to summon his father. 

Master Mind, our chaperone, is standing in front of us on the grassy mound, and clearly tenses up. Master Mind’s stitches that run from one side of the hip to the other, remind me that he had encountered and lost to Charlie’s father, and that Charlie’s father was the one responsible for Master Mind being cut in two.

Joy, who was calm just a second ago, also becomes agitated. She straightens and her breaths quicken. 

And me, for some reason, I’m calm. 

“I can see him,” Charlie says. “I can see him in my mind. I’m trying to bring him back.” 

“Go ahead,” Joy says. “You can do it!” 

Charlie seems to be straining. “Just the dad who plays with me, just the dad who plays with me, just the…” he sighs and opens his eyes. “I can’t do it!” 

Joy puts her hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “Try,” she says. “I’ll help you!” 

Charlie closes his eyes and now so does Joy. 

This is strange and new to me. Can Joy help summon a dreamer’s dream? Is that something she had done before?

My scientist’s mind puts it in the back of my mind. I’ll remember to ask Justin later, when he arrives. 

Charlie opens his eyes and shakes his head. “He’s not coming! I can’t make him come!”

Joy takes a few steps back, looking like she’s about to cry. “It’s my fault,” she whispers. “It’s my fault.” 

Charlie looks at her. 

“I thought about it,” she says, “when I noticed he hadn't come back. But… I didn’t want it to be right.” 

I put my hand on her head. “What are you talking about, Joy?” 

She tells us. 

(To be continued…)

—Told by Grampa Walt