“I don’t want to do it!” Joy crosses her arms.
Once we’ve all gotten over the shock of who Ethan is, Justin suggests we try meeting his sister and her two sons. Again. He wouldn’t be able to summon Ethan again, because Joy made sure to turn him permanent before killing him. But at this point no one wants to see him anyway.
“It’s not up to you,” Justin tells her. “She’s my sister. She’s your aunt. She’s family. You’re going to meet Angela. And you’re going to meet your two nephews, because they’re super cute.”
“I won’t do it! I’ll kill them!”
Suzy gasps. Justin waves dismissively. “She’s kidding. Joy doesn’t kill innocent people ever. And she doesn’t kill villains, either. Except for the goblin monster that threatened to kill children. And Ethan who killed her. Don’t even joke about that, okay?”
Joy nods, clearly ashamed of having said that.
“She’s family, Joy. Like Grampa and Grandma. You have to meet family! Plus, they’re family. They’re the only family you’ve got.”
Joy’s eyes dart to the window.
“You’re not going to run away!” Justin says firmly. “I’m going to bring them here and they are not going to remember anything from what happened before. It’s like we’re meeting them for the first time.”
Charlie whispers to Joy. “I’m here to help.”
She looks at him weakly. I have never seen her look helpless, but now it’s like she’s clinging to him to save her life.
“Can I tell you a secret?” Charlie whispers to her. I’m not sure if he realizes we can all hear it. “Your life is the most interesting life I’ve ever seen! And now your family is the most interesting family! Even your family is an adventure!”
Joy blurts out a small laugh. And then the doorbell rings.
“They’re he-e-e-e-e-ere!” Justin sings as if he’s in the movie Poltergeist. “Let’s not mention Joy killed their father!” he continues to sing.
Joy hides behind Charlie as Justin goes to open the door.
(To be continued…)
—Told by Grampa Walt