Master Mind brings Bonny’s Revenge back to Earth’s ocean and docks perfectly right at the edge of the island where our suburban Toronto apartment had been recreated. 

Suzy, Master Mind and I all know that it’s going to take a few more hours until Justin gets here, but none of us is willing to get off the ship. 

Justin will appear, as always, on the deck, near the mast. And, as he has for the last few weeks, so will Charlie. He won’t appear in his dream and get here, he’ll appear on Bonny’s Revenge, near Joy’s cabin. 

As for me, I know I don’t want to miss a second of what happens once either one of them appears.

Suzy and I stare at the ocean for a while. We hold hands. Apparently I’m nervous. Apparently she’s nervous.

“Have you considered,” Master Mind breaks the silence. “The possibilities of what may occur?”

I lean sideways, looking at him, glad for the distraction. “What do you mean, Master Mind?” 

“You two and the Pirate seem to believe the Little Pirate comes from the waking world, from your ‘Earth’.” 

Suzy nods. “Where else would she come from? She’s human.”

Master Mind nods his robotic head. “I do not have enough data to judge your conclusions, Mother of Pirate,” he says. “But have you considered that if she had arrived from there, the Pirate may find how she came here. Finding how she came here, he may be able to lead her back out.” 

I open my mouth in amazement as Suzy gasps. “That would be amazing!” Suzy exclaims. “She could return to her family! She could have friends! She could live without danger!”

“Your words ring true,” Master Mind says. “But have you given thought to what you would do if the Little Pirate left the Dream and went to the waking world?” 

Suzy and I lock eyes, both of us wondering. 

“I don’t really..” she says. 

“Neither do I,” I say. “What would you do, Master Mind?”

“I would explore this strange world. I would go from dream to dream, and hope to discover what the Dream is and how it works. It feels exciting, I must say.”

“Hmmm…” I look at Suzy. “Maybe we’ll ask Justin to create an endless honeymoon for us?” 

Suzy shrugs. “I don’t know. Just the two of us, huh? Without our kids, without our grandkids? Strange.” 

I try to imagine our life without Joy here, only with Justin dropping in when he is asleep. And then Justin appears in front of me, near the mast. 

He looks at the three of us with a look I recognize now: His memory of his dream is returning. 

He sighs heavily. “Where is she?” 

Suzy gestures at Joy’s cabin. “She’s asleep. What happened?” 

He walks quickly. “I’ll tell you togetherj,” he says and enters the cabin. 

(To be continued…)

—Told by Grampa Walt