Joy wins the argument, of course. She always wins the argument with Justin. 

I would like to think I would behave differently. Children should not be allowed to get whatever they want. It’s not good for them and they don’t know what’s best. 

But Joy has her way of insisting and convincing, and I am not sure I would have fared any better than Justin. And, of course, Justin knows that because he is awake for most of the day and is gone from his dream, Joy can do whatever she wants when he is not there. And she often will. 

So Joy wins the argument, and Justin agrees to go to the Night Planet. 

By this time, Charlie has arrived and landed on the deck of Bonny’s Revenge with his jetpack. He has been filled in. 

“All right,” Justin takes a big breath. He’s taken us into outer space, and Bonny’s Revenge rests in front of a big patch of empty space. “Ready for the Night Planet, Joy?” 

She braces herself and nods. 

“Mom?” Justin asks.

Suzy looks at me. This is her first official time going on an adventure. This is not her life. It is not what our lives have been up to this point. 

Master Mind has rejoined us on the deck while the two have been arguing. He is ready. He does not need to be asked. 

“All right,” Justin says. “Just let’s be clear on the rules, okay? I’m going to bring back the Night Planet. There are not going to be villains on it. The whole point is to get Joy used to darkness and maybe get over the fear. That’s it. Whenever you want, Joy, Charlie and I can create light. Okay?” 

She nods. She’s clearly nervous. 

Justin looks ahead and concentrates. 

A massive star appears in the sky ahead. It is not a star like a sun, but a huge rock. It blocks out the light of both suns for a major swath of space. 

“That is not the Night Planet,” Justin points at the huge rock. “The Night Planet is inside the shadow. We can’t see it. Shall we go in?” 

Joy nods but her body is very tense.

“Do you know, Joy, what helps me when I’m afraid?” Charlie asks. “I’m afraid a lot, so I know.” 

She shakes her head. 

“I think about the nice things that are going to be later.” 

“Like beating the bad guys?” she asks. 

“No. Nicer. Like eating candy. Or a chocolate cake. I think about that all the time, and it helps me.” 

“Mmmm… Chocolate cake!” Joy smiles. 

“Yes. Think about that.”

She smiles and gestures with her head to Justin. He turns the wheel and pulls it back. 

Bonny’s Revenge begins to move slowly towards the darkness.

Joy tenses up even more.

“Take my hand,” Charlie says. “When Mom holds my hand it really helps.” 

Joy looks down at his hand with the shadow coming closer and closer. 

I wonder if Joy’s going to take his hand. She is a warrior and is proud of her bravery and abilities. I wonder if she’ll allow herself to get help with everyone watching her. 

Joy looks at Charlie’s hand for a few more seconds, then takes it. 

“Here we go,” Justin says and suddenly we cross the shadow and are in complete darkness. 

In my ear, I hear Suzy whisper. “I like Charlie.” 

“Mmmm-hmmmm,” I say back.

(To be continued…)

—Told by Grampa Walt