I can see Justin waiting for the exact right second. 

It’s been a day for those in the waking world since the kids rode the flying elephants and since Justin decided it was time Joy somehow meet girls her age. 

Madelyn appeared first. She rolled down the ramp to the shore of the small island of our small suburban home. After a few nice hellos, we helped her off the wheelchair. On her two arms she went into the sea and began swimming. 

Amahle appeared next, and with her came sad music. She wanted some time with Suzy, and the two of them went into our living room while I climbed up the ramp to the deck of Bonny’s Revenge. 

A couple of hours later, Charlie appeared on the deck and went to wake Joy up. 

He created a breakfast for her out of thin air (sandwiches, the way his mother makes them) when Justin appeared. 

I could see Justin waiting for something, waiting for the right timing. He was mainly standing to the side and letting the kids interact, but he was very tense. It was like those times when he was a kid and had an April Fools trick up his sleeve. 

Joy brushed her teeth while it was Charlie that turned the ship on its side so she could do that hanging upside-down from the plank. 

Joy opened her mouth to speak, when Justin spoke first. “Hey, Charlie, you just celebrated your ninth birthday, right?”

“Yeah, I told you.” 

“What was that like?” 

“It was nice.” 

“No, I mean, what did you do? Joy’s ninth birthday is coming up. I know what we do here. But what do reg–I mean, what do kids in the waking world do?” 

“There’s a birthday party.” 

“And kids come? Friends from school?” 

“Sure.” 

“But what do they do?” 

“Charlie, don’t answer!” Joy steps in. “Dad, you’re acting like he’s a villain!” 

“A villain?!” Justin’s surprised. 

“You’re asking questions the way you ask villains. This is the real Charlie. It’s not a dream Charlie.” 

“I know. I know. I…I just…” he’s flustered. He struggles for a second, then sighs in resignation. “Joy, Charlie, I just wondered if maybe we can have Charlie’s birthday all over again in the dream, but this time with Joy. Joy can be a part of that. Wouldn’t that be nice?” 

Charlie shakes his head. “The party was lame. I was really…” 

“Why?” Joy meets Charlie’s eyes. There’s a lot of warmth in her voice. 

Charlie looks away. “Everyone else had clowns or magicians. But for me it was just my Mom. It wasn’t fun.” 

“Won’t it be fun with Joy, though?” 

“Dad!” Joy gives Justin a warning finger. “He’s not a villain!” 

Justin raises his hands. 

Joy turns to Charlie. “I want to go! I want to see your party! I’m sure it was great! Can you do that? I want to go to your birthday party!”  

Joy begs Charlie to do it while Justin turns around and whispers to me with a smile, “God damn, she’s sharp!” 

I nod back. 

“Okay, okay!” Charlie says. “Let’s do it!” 

“Yaiiii!” Joy raises her hands in victory. 

(To be continued… )

—Told by Grampa Walt