Comfort & Joy

Joy wakes up in a hospital, surrounded by people and strange noises. The man from the gas station stands above her, who she now sees is her doctor. She feels bad that Bobby may think she left him. She is convinced Bobby has just come into the room, but it’s Stacey. Joy asks about Daniel, and Stacey explains Joy was airlifted to Bakersfield after the plane crash. She has been in a medically induced coma for 10 days. Joy initially thinks Stacey is lying to her.

After receiving more medicine, she slips back into her dream and watches Bobby discover that she has left him and broken her promise to stay for Christmas. This time, she knows she is dreaming—she stands helplessly in the corner of the room, unable to communicate, as Bobby and Daniel discuss her presence. Bobby argues that she was not imaginary like his mom or Mr. Patches, and Daniel explains that he tried to talk to her only because the doctors told him to play along. As Joy tries to tell them she is still there, she remembers the moments that reveal the truth: Bobby always moved her game pieces, Daniel rarely spoke to her, and when they danced, Bobby had to point out where Joy was sitting.