Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14 Merle discovered the second drone on the kitchen table shortly after Michael and Justin left for school. He had yet to experience Christmas, since it was currently September, and he had been frozen in a cave for 300 years before the holiday's first official celebration. But finding a second drone in as many days felt a lot like Christmas to Merle. "Would you look at this?!" he marveled to Pearl. "A matching set!" "What are you going to do with two drones?" Pearl asked. "One for me, and one for you!" Merle responded. Like cycling, it's much more fun when you ride with friends. "No way!" Pearl stated. "C'mon!" he pleaded. "The cat's in Jane's room today. We can fly around the whole house. You'll love it!" It took Merle a while to talk Pearl into being his flying partner (conveniently, about the same amount of time it took to charge the new drone). But by noon the two were zipping through the halls of the house, and Pearl was having the time of her life.

"Wheeeee!" Pearl giggled. "This is almost as much fun as roller-skating!" Merle and Pearl played follow-the-leader through the hallway from the bedrooms, into the living room, and around the kitchen. "What do you mean, 'almost'?" Merle shouted over the buzz of the drone propellers. "Flying beats skating by a mile!" "But skating comes with music!" Pearl responded, which gave Merle an idea. He buzzed by the living room stereo and clicked it on, filling the house with classic hits from the '80s. "Okay, now it's better!" Pearl admitted with a huge grin.

With several loops around the house under his belt, Merle was up for more of a challenge. Both he and Pearl were quickly turning into top-notch pilots. "What do you say we go for a spin outside?" Merle suggested. Pearl slammed on the air brakes, shocked at the suggestion. "Merle, we can't go outside. You heard what Dr. Gomez said. It's too dangerous." "Oh, come on, Pearl! If I can keep away from a cat in a tight space, I can avoid any squirrelnappers in the great outdoors!" "Merle...," Pearl appealed, but it was too late. Her husband disarmed the alarm on a quick flyby and headed for Michael's bedroom window. "I'm telling you, Pearl, I can't help myself— I was born to fly!!!"