The Last Thing I Wanted To Do

"aphrodite," She Said. "venus?" Hazel Asked In Amazement. "mom," Piper Said, With No Enthusiasm.

When He Pulled Away, He Smiled Kindly At Me. I Felt So Good, I'll Admit I Teared Up A Little. I Guess Until That Moment I Hadn't Allowed Myself To Realize Just How Terrified I Had Been The Last Few Days. "dad-" "shhh," He Said. "no Hero Is Above Fear, Percy. And You Have Risen Above Every Hero. Not Even Hercules-

Whenever Percy Stopped By To See [annabeth], She Was So Lost In Thought That The Conversation Went Something Like This: Percy: 'hey, How's It Going?' Annabeth: 'uh, No Thanks.' Percy: 'okay...have You Eaten Anything Today?' Annabeth: 'i Think Leo Is On Duty. Ask Him.' Percy: 'so, My Hair Is On Fire.' Annabeth: 'okay, In A While.

When I Was Young, My Favorite Picture Book Was 'fletcher And Zenobia,' Written By Edward Gorey And Illustrated By Victoria Chess. It's Long Out Of Print Now, But Its Mix Of Macabre Humor And 1960s Psychedelia Made It A Perfect Children's Book For The Times.

Would Grandmother Scold Him? Would She Say, “frank! Thank The Gods, You've Come. I'm Surrounded By Monsters.” More Likely She'd Scold Him, Or Mistake Them For Intruders And Chase Them Off With A Frying Pan.