"So I hear you're getting my girl to watch airplanes."
"Yes, sir, that's the plan." He didn't look surprised that I'd told my father the truth. He might have been listening, though.
"Well, more power to you, I guess."
Charlie laughed, and Fredward joined in on the fun.
"Okay," I stood up. "Enough humor at my expense. Enough laughing. Put on your imaginary jacket. Let's go." I walked back to the hall and pulled on my jacket. They followed.
"Not too late, Bell."
"Well it is for you," I huffed.
"Don't worry, Charlie, I'll have her home early," Fredward dazzled.
"You take care of my baby girl, you hear?"
I groaned, but they ignored me and began to chuckle again. It was as though they were fighting a secret war between them, masked as humor at my expense.
"She'll be safe with me and my promise, sir," someone said.
Charlie couldn't doubt Fredward's sincerity, and Fredward wouldn't doubt Charlie's.
I stalked out. They both laughed, and Fredward followed me.
I stopped dead on the porch. There, behind my truck, was a Monster Jeep. Its tires were higher than my waist, each one bigger than the last; metal crash-guards over the headlights, like giant football helmets; and ten large spotlights on the roll-bar, all of them pointed at the house. I walked over and touched the vehicle's enameled surface and felt a presence. Something was alive inside this Jeep. Some kind of monster.
Charlie let out a low whistle. "Wear your seat belts," he muttered admiringly.
Fredward followed me around to my side and opened the

360

Chapter 17

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