As we walk through the tunnel back towards Justin and Master Mind who are waiting on the surface of Madelyn’s Shroom, Charlie can’t stop looking at Madelyn’s super-wheelchair and laughing. 

“What’s so funny?” Joy asks. 

Charlie shakes his head and laughs.

Madelyn looks at him, and continues. 

“Charlie, what’s so funny?” Joy insists. 

“It’s not funny,” Charlie says and giggles.

We come out of the tunnel. 

“Oooh, very nice!” Justin is impressed by Madelyn’s new toy. “You are getting this.” 

“Thank you, Justin,” Madelyn says politely. She is a tough woman, basically Justin’s age, and she does not let her face show it when it’s hard. Which means that she doesn’t let it show when she likes a compliment. 

“Little Dreamer,” Master Mind says to Charlie. “What is the joke? What did I miss?”

Charlie shakes his head while giggling. “Nothing’s funny, Master Mind.” 

Justin looks at him with concern and puts his hand on the child’s head. “Sometimes we don’t  laugh when something’s funny. Sometimes we laugh because we’re afraid or, uh, overwhelmed.” He’s channeling his mother. Good job, Justin! “What’s the matter, Charlie?”

“Look at this,” Charlie points at Madelyn’s super-wheelchair, as he giggles. “And the jetpacks,” he points at Justin’s back. “And him,” he points to Master Mind.” 

“What about them?” Justin says. 

“These are all things Dreamers created,” Master Mind says. 

“That’s right,” Charlie giggles. “Look there!” he points at the millions of Shrooms hanging in front of us for as far as the eye can see.  “Dreamers are meant to be alone. Inside a Shroom. We are three Dreamers together.”

“So?” Joy says. 

“Isn’t it too much power?” 

“Too much power?” Joy asks. 

“Too much power for what?” Justin adds. 

Charlie shakes his head and finally stops laughing. “I don’t know,” he looks sad. “For nature? For people? Too much power.” 

There is a moment of silence. I think about what he said but I don’t come up with anything. 

Madelyn breaks the silence. “It is just a dream,” she says. “Shall we go adventure?”

Joy opens her mouth in excitement, clearly to say ‘yes’, but stops, looking at Charlie, waiting for his verdict. It’s amazing how much she trusts him. 

Charlie’s sadness turns into a hesitant smile. “Let’s go!” 

“Yaiiiii!” 

(To be continued…) 

—Told by Grampa Walt