Free Escape with the Dream Maker by Gilbert L. Morris

Josh was so excited that they were carried away with the idea. “I’m going back to talk to Oliver one more time,” Josh said. “I’ll get back to you, and we’ll make our decision.”
    â€œI think your decision is already made,” Dave said slowly.
    â€œWell, it sounds like a way we can keep each other, and get away from this place, and get back to what we used to have. I’ll see you later.”
    Josh did not go at once to Oliver’s house. He walked for a long time. He was really torn in two directions himself. Thoughts of Goél kept coming to him, and he remembered the kindly face and how Goél had preserved him through so many difficult times. Almostlike a prayer, he said, “Goél, why don’t you come now when I need you? You could tell me what to do.”
    But Goél did not come, and in desperation Josh knew that he would have to make his own decision.
    He entered Oliver’s house at the man’s invitation, and for a long time the two sat talking. Josh explained his difficulty, and Oliver was sympathetic.
    â€œI know exactly what you mean,” he said. “And I can’t make the decision for you.”
    If Oliver had tried to persuade him, Josh was ready to resist. But Oliver made no attempt to do so. Instead, he said, “You’re a smart young fellow, Josh. If you don’t want to go back home, that may be right for you. Some of the others may feel differently, of course.”
    â€œWait a minute, Oliver. I didn’t say I
wasn’t
going back. It’s so hard . . .”
    â€œI’ll tell you what,” Oliver said abruptly. “I have a history book on small towns in America. Why don’t you just go back to Oldworld on the Dream Maker and visit? Then we’ll see. Maybe you’ll get an idea about what to do.”
    This struck Josh as wisdom, and he said eagerly, “Yes, that’s what I’ll do!”
    Â 
    Josh found himself walking along a tree-lined street in a pleasant neighborhood. He saw his house up ahead, and his heart leaped as a large collie came out barking, his gold-and-white coat shining in the sun.
    â€œJock!” Josh fell to his knees, embracing the dog, who licked his face furiously, then ran around him barking sharply and pulling at his pants leg.
    Then Josh looked at the house. His heart rose in his throat like a lump. He walked inside.
    Immediately his mother appeared and said, smilingat him, “I’ve made fresh cookies, Josh, and your dad is taking you to the ball game tonight.”
    â€œThat I am.” Josh’s father poked his head around the door and winked. “And afterwards we’ll go out and get a pizza.”
    Josh stood still, unable to speak. His eyes suddenly filled with tears.
    I’m home again,
he thought and knew then that he had made his decision.

7
“I Trust You, Josh!”
    T he taste of his life back in Oldworld hit Josh hard. He left Oliver’s and went back to his room. That night he dreamed of home again. It was not an innervision thing this time—just a simple dream of home, of friends, of fishing trips with his dad, of talking with his mother while she fixed supper. He had often dreamed of these things, but now the innervision trip had made this dream as sharp and clear as reality itself.
    All the next day Josh remained close to his room. He couldn’t clear his mind of thoughts of home. He had a tremendous desire to rush over to Oliver’s and find his way through whatever miracle Oliver had discovered and be back on planet Earth as it was during the golden days of his childhood. He restrained himself, saying sternly, “Josh, you’ve got to talk to the others. You’ve got to convince them that going back is the right thing to do.”
    Still, it was difficult for him, and he waited impatiently for nightfall. As soon as dusk came, he found his way through the city to an old abandoned house outside of