We are back on top of Justin’s Shroom when Joy suddenly starts talking about everything that’s happened, what Charlie said and what Suzy explained to her. 

As she explains, Justin leads Joy back into the tunnel, past the plank, and onto the deck of Bonny’s Revenge. 

“Oh my goodness,” he tells her. “That is awful. I never thought about it.” 

“Is she right, Dad? Am I that different? Can I never have kids?” 

“Well,” he shrugs. “I don’t know, you know? It makes sense, right? How can you have kids if everyone else is a Dreamer or a dream?”

Joy frowns and begins to cry again. 

“But why would you want kids, yeah? I mean, do you want kids?” 

Joy shakes her head as she cries. 

“Justin,” Suzy chides him. “What kind of a thing is that to say? She’s six, why would she want kids? The real problem is–” 

“I get it Mom,” he talks through his teeth.”I just want her to feel better, that’s all. And she doesn’t want kids, so what does she care?” 

Joy hugs him and he hugs her back. “Joy, you are most magical, amazing child that’s ever existed on the face of this Ear–That’s ever existed. You are amazing and you have an amazing life. Why would you want more?”

Joy keeps hugging him tightly. She’s stopped crying. She’s listening. 

“I mean, you have me and Charlie. You have your grandparents here. You have friends. You have adventures. You’re totally free here.”

Joy straightens and looks into his eyes. “Am I free, Dad?” 

And for what must have been a couple of seconds, I see deep hesitation in Justin’s eyes. And fear maybe. 

“Of course you’re free,” he says. 

I feel goosebumps on my arms suddenly, for no reason I can tell. Is it possible that he doesn’t mean it? That he doesn’t think she’s free? Why would he think that?

(To be continued…)

—To be continued…