The first batch of kids walk in with their parents and I notice that the kids are all wearing pirate costumes. 

“Oh, right,” Charlie says, and suddenly he’s in pirate costume as well. 

“Charlie,” Joy grabs his hand and whispers. “You know pirates?!”

Charlie’s confused for a second. Then he says, “It’s a theme party, Joy. I asked my mom to have my birthday be about pirates.” He motions to her clothes. “You’re already dressed for the party!” 

More kids come in, boys and girls, and fill the small living room. Overall, there are about twelve kids. 

Some of them point at Joy and gesture to the others to look.

“Who’s this?” says one of the girls. 

Joy takes a step back and stands behind Charlie. 

“This is Joy!” Charlie says proudly. “She’s my best friend!” 

Two of the boys gasp. 

“You mean she’s real!” one of them says in awe.

“Super real!” Charlie says as Joy withers under the stares. 

“All the adventures you keep talking about are real?!” one of the girls says.

“Totally real!” Charlie says.

A girl gets really close to Joy, her eyes near Joy’s cheeks. “You really fought zombies?” 

“Uh-huh,” Charlie says. Joy nods, strangely mute.

“And you fought monsters and evil pirates?” 

“Uh-huh,” Charlie says. 

“Prove it!” one of the boys points at Joy.

Joy looks around, not knowing what to do. 

“Where’s your dragon?” the boy says.

“She’s not here,” Joy says weakly. “I don’t know where she is.” 

“Where are all the zombies?” another boy says.

“Where are the monsters?” the first boy says. 

“Boys, boys,” Suzy tries to step in. 

Suddenly Joy steps forward. “I can give you a killer robot!” she says proudly. 

The kids freeze in place. Joy points at Master Mind. 

“This is Master Mind, he used to be an evil killer robot and now he’s a good guy! Master Mind, show them your weapons!” 

Master Mind extends a hand and a rocket comes out of his arm’s exoskeleton.

The kids gasp. “No way!” “OMG!” 

“Master Mind!” Justin comes in from the kitchen, carrying a tray of food. “No weapons! This is a birthday party!” 

The rocket drops back into the inside of his exoskeleton. 

“She’s a real pirate!” “She’s a pirate!” the kids tell each other. “Everything Charlie said was true!” “She’s real!” “Rob should have been here!” 

And suddenly everyone wants to talk to Joy. Joy pulls out her sword and lets the kids touch it.

(To be continued…) 

—Told by Grampa Walt