Charlie didn’t show up in Justin’s dream for a second day in a row, and Joy, as I told you, stopped an adventure because she was worried. 

And so, now, Justin, Joy, Master Mind and I go into Charlie’s dream. Suzy, who originally did not want to participate in an adventure and did not want to infiltrate a nest of killer grandmothers, seemed disappointed. Justin promised they would go on this adventure again as soon as they could. She still did not want to jump from Shroom to Shroom, from dream to dream, so Justin dropped her off at home

One of Charlie’s glass elevators waits for us at the end of the tunnel into his dream. Joy has made this one permanent way back a couple of days after their big adventure. 

As we descend down to the park that was always there, we see a new beach nearby. 

“The Child is there,” Master MInd points at a small dot on the beach. 

At the park we activate our jetpacks and fly towards the beach. 

Justin leads the way, instructing us to land far enough away to assess the situation. Joy’s safety in a dream is always his top concern. Charlie is a dreamer who can create anything, but Justin believes he can defend Joy even if Charlie is obsessed. And if Justin isn’t here, we have Master Mind. 

The beach looks harmless enough. Charlie is playing in the sand with a woman, both of them in bathing suits. 

Charlie notices us and runs towards us. “Joy!” he shouts. “You can’t be here! You have to go!” 

Joy stops, shocked. Justin looks around. “Is there a danger here, Charlie? Is everything okay?” 

Charlie begins to shove Joy backwards. “You have to go, Joy! You have to go!” 

Joy, who is clearly stronger than Charlie, lets him push her back only a step or two. “Why, Charlie?” 

“Charlie, what’s wrong?” Justin asks warmly. 

“What’s going on?” the woman comes over. She looks more or less around Justin’s age and the resemblance to Charlie is uncanny. “Charlie, who are these people?” 

Charlie changes directions and now pushes the woman away. “Mom, let’s go back! Don’t talk to them!” 

But Charlie’s mother doesn’t let him push her even a step. Joy comes forward, “What’s going on?” 

Charlie stops to stand between Joy and his mother, a warning finger aimed at Joy. “No! You can’t get close to my mother! You can’t! You have to leave!” 

All of us at the same time seem to understand that this is not about danger, but about Joy. Joy’s expression changes and tears begin to form in her eyes. 

“Why not?”

“Because I said so!” Charlie says as forcefully as he can. 

(To be continued…) 

—Told by Grampa Walt