10-I'M AFRAID OF FLYING!

I'M AFRAID OF FLYING! By now, I'd had ENOUGH. "Take me back home!" I insisted. "I got on that elevator, but I am not getting on a plane! I'M AFPAID OF FLYING! As usual, my cousin seemed to ignore me. Instead, he raised his eyebrows. "Look over there!" he whispered in my ear. It was the pretty mouse we had met earlier. She was standing at the check-in desk. I couldn't help smiling. She really was attractive. And she was a fan of my books. What a great combination! I should have found out her name. Maybe we could be pen pals. Maybe we could share a grilled cheese sandwich at the Squeak & Chew sometime.

I stared dreamily into space. I didn't notice my cousin scamper over to the MOUSAIR check-in counter. He returned, waving three tickets in the air. "Here we are!" he squeaked, waking me out of my daydream. "Thea, Benjamin, and I have seats at the back of the plane. Geronimo, you are in seat 11B." I shook my head. "B-b-but I can't sit alone," I stammered. "I just told you, I'm afraid of flying!"

Then i heard a soft voice behind me. It was the pretty stranger. "Did you say you are sitting in 11B?" she murmured. I nodded. "How exciting!" she exclaimed. "I am in 11A. That means we'll sit together!" I grinned. What a sweet mouse. It would be nice to spend more time with a fan. Maybe I could get on the plane after all. Beside me, Trap winked. For some reason, he looked very pleased with himself. What was this all about? But there was no time to think. We were about to board. "By the way, where are we going?" I whispered to Trap as we stood in line.

"Um, yes, well, it's a beautiful place," he mumbled. "Lots of fresh air and sunshine. You're going to love it." For the first time since I'd been mousenapped, I began to relax. Maybe a little vacation would do me some good. I could sleep until noon. Take a dip in the pool. Watch the sun set over the ocean. "That's right," Trap continued. "We're headed for RATTYTRAP JUNGLE on the Rto MOSQUITO." My eyes popped open. Rattytrap Jungle? Rio Mosquito? What an odd place for a resort. fclnef. Oh, well, I sighed. Maybe the mosquitoes were friendlier in the tropics.