The music that fills the dream feels drunker and drunker as the hours pass. I didn’t know if people can get drunk in the dream, but from the music that comes from Amahle’s head, it certainly sounds like it.

Eventually, the limo returns to park right next to our island. 

The limo driver takes Madelyn out and places her on the wheelchair that appears on our island next to him. Amahle steps out with Elvis. Suzy is after her. 

But Joy doesn’t come out.

“Where is…” Justin begins, worriedl but stops when he hears Joy shout, “Open the roof for me!” 

“Joy, this is no time for–” Amahle begins. 

“Open the roof for me!” I hear Joy shout. 

“All right,” Amahle says. “Open the roof for her.” 

The limo driver returns to his seat and a square in the limo’s roof slides open. 

Joy leaps through the opening and lands on the roof. She leaps off the roof and lands on our island. “Wa-hoooo!” she shouts. 

She sees Justin and runs to him, “Dad! Dad! You’re never going to believe Amahle’s news!” 

“Let me guess,” I say as I hug the returning Suzy. “You’re getting married to Sandile.” 

“Well, yes,” Amahle says. 

“Congratulations!” I say. 

“Wow, congratulations!” Justin says. “May I hug you?”

“Of course,” she says.

“Congratulations!” Justin hugs Amahle.

“Marriage, phooey,” Joy interrupts the hug. “That’s not the news!”

“What?” Justin disconnects. “That’s not the news?” 

“That’s part of the news,” Amahle says. “Sandile and I will be married in two months. But Sandile and I will also have a baby in seven months.” 

“Whaaaat!” Justin’s voice goes up a full octave or two. “Wow! Amazing! Congratulations! I’m going to hug you again!” 

She nods and he hugs her.

Joy points at Amahle’s stomach. “Dad! There’s a stomach in her baby! I mean, there’s a baby in her stomach! A baby in her stomach! Can you believe it?” 

Justin laughs. “I believe it. I believe there’s a baby in her stomach, I just can’t believe there’s a stomach in her baby!” 

Joy goes red. “You know what I meant,” she growls. 

“Congratulations!” I tell Amahle. And I wonder if, here in the dream, as opposed to the waking world, there is a fetus in her womb or not.

(To be continued…)

—Told by Grampa Walt