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mature intellect than when he was at sixteen.
    As if Jonathan heard his thoughts, he put an arm around Michael. “I know, brother. It’s going to turn out all right. I know it will.”
    “Thanks Jon,” said Michael softly, head down.
    “So,” said Lu, “who’s on watch night?”
    After a schedule was established, Michael was ready to get out of the astral and go home, but Trina and Zac had more questions.
    “If we connect in dreams, do we try to influence her?” asked Trina.
    “Shouldn’t we be looking for minute differences in the real world?” asked Zac.
    “Trina, and all, play it by ear. I trust your judgment,” said Michael.
    “Zac, yes. Did everyone hear Zac?” Jonathan emphasized. “Be on the lookout for changes when you’re back in the real world. That means we need an emergency meeting.”
    “Like we would know what to do,” Trina deadpanned.
    Jonathan was unfazed. “We’ll worry about it when the time comes.”
    “Anything else?” asked Onie.
    “Yeah,” said Zac, “next time, more sandwiches.”
    With that remark, the others went their separate ways while Lu, Trina, and Zac hunkered down for a night in the astral.
    That night Mira dreamed. Paul said goodbye and hugged her, but she didn’t know why. She cried. Long faced, she didn’t want him to go off to school. She woke up with tears in her eyes. Then she thought of Michael and reminded herself it was just a dream. She couldn’t wait until tomorrow to meet more friends.

Chapter Five
    Stu in the Real World
    Jonathan left the astral where the group had been and went straight to Stu, but he travelled to him astrally. He didn’t have time for real-world streets, cars, and traffic. He didn’t have a clue what Stu might be in the middle of, but he also didn’t have time for formalities.
    As it turned out, Stu was in the middle of a bath.
    “Holy hell, man! Have some decency!” yelled Stu, looking embarrassed.
    Jonathan quickly turned his head but couldn’t stop Stu from hearing him laugh. “Sorry, bro. I didn’t know you were...indisposed.” Jonathan laughed again. Then he thought of the situation and sobered up.
    “What the hell is so important that you have to drop in like this unannounced?” exclaimed Stu. “Toss me a towel.”
    Towel tossed, Jonathan looked around. Even at nineteen in the real world, Stu acted like a kid. His studio was sparsely furnished except for hundreds of books and one old couch. The couch doubled for a bed and a couple of plastic chairs sat in what was supposed to be the dining area. That was it. Jonathan reminded himself to bring Stu some of his old furniture that he had no use for anymore. Or better yet, some food. He knew Stu barely thought about real-world things like food and clothing.
    After Stu wrapped a towel around himself and found some shorts, Jonathan brought him up to date on everything that had happened from the beginning.
    “So basically, everything is messed up,” said Stu. “Only no one is really sure exactly how messed up it all is…”
    “Basically,” agreed Jonathan, plopping down on a couch whose stuffing was showing.
    “And young master Michael still hates my guts.”
    “Basically,” agreed Jonathan.
    “Yet you still want my help,” Stu stated more than asked.
    “Basically,” answered Jonathan. He knew Stu would help. They were close friends now. No one knew that, for good reason, but they also didn’t know Stu had a decent heart inside all that bluster and arrogance.
    “Well, since I’m the only one that really kept up study and work on the astral, with you somewhat too, it makes it pretty damn difficult.” Stu sat backward on one of the ‘dining’ chairs.
    “Yep,” agreed Jonathan. “I have an idea though.”
    “Oh you do, do you?” Stu grinned. Jonathan knew that grin. Stu liked trouble.
    They settled in and discussed the idea at length. They both agreed that, although troublesome, and likely to cause problems with the others, it probably was still the