Suzy sighs. “A friend sacrificed his life for hers when she was six,” she says as she looks at me meaningfully.

“That is incorrect, Pirate Mother,” Master Mind says. “Two friends sacrificed themselves for her when she was six.” 

Suzy looks at him, and her gaze lingers around the thread that she and Joy had sewn Master Mind’s two halves back together. 

“Oh, yeah. The fact that you survived was a miracle. I forgot about that.” 

“Master Mind, aren’t you going to join them?” 

Joy, Charie, and Justin are at General Hawk’s grave in the garden behind our home.

“I do not need a grave to grieve.”

“Makes sense,” I nod. 

“How does that make sense?” Suzy gets angry. 

But this is about logic, and I am confident in mine. “You remember your friend whether you go to the grave or not. Even if you accept that the dead do hear you, which they don’t, they can no doubt hear you the same regardless of where you are.”

Suzy shakes her head at me. 

“People need a place to go to, Walt, a grave to speak to. I think Master Mind doesn’t go because he’s afraid to face his emotions.” 

Master Mind shakes his head. “That is incorrect again, Pirate Mother. I face my emotions every second of every day. That is how my good side wins. But you are correct in that I have an ulterior motive.”

“Oh?” I say. 

“I do not go with the little pirate to General Hawk’s grave because she is sad for his death while I celebrate it. He sacrificed himself for her. He fulfilled his purpose. I would happily repeat my actions or sacrifice myself in another way for the same purpose. He died a hero and he died saving her life. I do and will celebrate him every day of my existence.”

Suzy stares at him for a long time. Then she turns to look at Joy, Justin and Charlie. “Thank you for that, Master Mind,” she says softly.

(To be continued…) 

—Told by Grampa Walt