Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17 "You really are squirrels," Father Phillip repeated, still in shock. "Yes. We've established that," Merle replied. "Sorry. It's just... very new to me. How... when... what..." the friar stammered. "I know it's very unusual," Pearl reassured him. She and Merle filled the friar in on their story, their relationship with Michael and Dr. Gomez, and how they desperately

needed to find them. "Yes, of course," the friar said, seeming somewhat recovered. "Do you have a phone number or email address?" He pulled his computer keyboard toward him. Merle and Pearl looked at each other and shrugged. They were just starting to get used to the modern world and were not acquainted with the specifics of technology. "How am I supposed to get ahold of your friends?" Father Phillip wondered. "Well, I tried a dance for a couple of girls on an airplane," Pearl said, repeating her moves. "That's you?!" Father Phillip laughed. "Of course! You flew into Haifa Airport. You're the famous dancing squirrel!" "Well, thank you," Pearl replied. "I've always loved dancing." "You're the what?" Merle interrupted. Since he'd been in the bathroom during Pearl's performance, he was completely unaware of her newfound viral fame.

"Your friends are probably headed to Haifa. If they saw the video, I'm sure that's where they would go," the friar deduced. The squirrels nodded. "I have an idea," Father Phillip continued, snapping a picture of Merle and Pearl with his phone. "I'll send two messages— one to the chaplain at the airport, an old friend. Perhaps he can be on the lookout for your friends. And one to the Antiquities Museum in Jerusalem. The director there may know how to get ahold of Dr. Gomez."