Joy runs through Justin’s entire apartment, looking at all the small details: What’s in the fridge? What kind of toothbrush and toothpaste does he use? What kind of clothes does he have in his closet? Where does he hang his laundry? What kind of dishes does he have?
Justin is clearly simultaneously happy at Joy’s exploration of his world while at the same time embarrassed to go through such a thorough examination.
“What is this for?” she asks about the glass cleaner.
“What’s this?” she asks about the comb.
“What’s this?” she asks about the broken VCR he has in the corner which hasn’t worked in a decade.
“What’s this?” she asks about the sound system.
Suddenly the sky becomes grey and thunder booms.
We all look aside: Justin, Master Mind, Suzy, Joy, and I.
Joy, Justin, and Master Mind all reach the window at the same time.
“So much lightning!” Joy says. “Is that the way it usually is?”
Justin shakes his head. “Not at all. The sky doesn’t just become grey.”
Then, as quickly as it came, the lightning storm is gone and the sky is clear.
“Huh,” Justin says, a strange look on his face.
“That is not ordinary at all,” Suzy tells Joy. “Is this an adventure you’re planning, Justin?”
“Of course! Well, no, actually, I don’t think so. Maybe my subconscious?”
We forget about the storm and Joy returns to exploring Justin’s home. She jumps on the bed, does a flip, lands on her back, bounces back, and has the time of her life.
“Let’s go to the subway!” Joy shouts and races out before any of us can respond.
Joy learns how to not run on the road, how to cross a crosswalk, how to look at the street lights, all with unbounded excitement, as we finally get to the stairs leading down to the subway station.
We take a few steps, when thunder sounds from behind. The sky turns dark again. As I look up, lightning fills the sky, then more lightning, and yet more. And all of it booms in my ears.
“Dad?” Joy looks up with concern. “Is it a villain?”
“I…I don’t think I want a villain here. Oh! Charlie!”
And for the first time I notice that Charlie hasn’t been with us for the hours since Justin arrived, although his bedtime is before Justin’s.
“Dad! Jetpacks! He’s on Bonny’s Revenge!”
Jetpacks appear on all of our backs. Apparently, something’s wrong with Charlie. We’re going to find out what!
(To be continued…)
—Told by Grampa Walt