Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10 A very groggy Michael and Dr. Gomez exited the plane in Tel Aviv Airport. One of the results of jetting across so many time zones is something called "jet lag." It usually takes a day or so for your body to get used to the shift in time. Blinking sleepily, Michael paused to turn on his phone and try to find a Wi-Fi signal. "Hey buddy, let's keep moving— you can check your messages later," Dr. Gomez said, urging Michael forward. "Yes, sir." Michael stuck his phone back in his pocket. Sadie's important tip would have to wait! However, now that he was in Israel, Michael could not resist beginning the search. He pulled a photo of Merle and Pearl out of his backpack to show to passing airport workers. "Have you seen these squirrels?" he asked the gate agent. She beamed at him. "No. But I have seen an adorable little boy." Michael cringed with embarrassment, smiled impatiently, then moved to catch up to his dad. He spotted a familiar-looking security guard. "Where have I seen him before?" he thought to himself as he showed the picture to the guard. "Nope. Never seen 'em," the guard replied, scowling.

Michael then remembered that this was the same guard who had missed seeing the petrified Merle and Pearl as they passed through the X-ray machine when Michael left the country at the end of the summer. "No. Of course you haven't. Thank you." He hurried on. After he and his dad showed the immigration agent their passports, Michael showed her the picture. She shook her head. As they headed out of the terminal toward their rental car, Michael passed by a teenage girl looking at her phone, giggling at the latest internet meme. "Dancing squirrel— hilarious!" she chirped— just after the sliding doors closed behind Michael.