THE BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH Percy Jackson ... - No one's invited.

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“Girl stuff.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Your mom,” Paul said. “I’m thinking about proposing to her.”
I almost dropped my cup. “You mean…marrying her?You and her?”
“Well, that was the genera idea. Would that be okay with you?”
“You’re asking my permission?”
Paul scratched his beard. “I don’t know if it’s permission, so much, but she’s your mother. And I know
you’re going through a lot. I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t talk to you about it first, man to man.”
“Man to man,” I repeated. It sounded strange, saying that. I thought about Paul and my mom, how she
smiled and laughed more whenever he was around, and how Paul had gone out of his way to get me into
high school. I found myself saying, “I think that’s a great idea, Paul. Go for it.”
He smiled really wide then. “Cheers, Percy. Let’s join the party.”
***
I was just getting ready to blow out the candles when the doorbell rang.
My mom frowned. “Who could that be?”
It was weird, because our new building had a doorman, but he hadn’t called up or anything. My mom
opened the door and gasped.
It was my dad. He was wearing Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt and Birkenstocks, like he usually
does. His black beard was neatly trimmed and his sea-green eyes twinkled. He wore a battered cap
decorated with fishing lures. It said NEPTUNE’S LUCKY FISHING HAT.
“Pos—” My mother stopped herself. She was blushing right to the roots of her hair.“Um, hello.”
“Hello, Sally,” Poseidon said. “You look as beautiful as ever. May I come in?”
My mother made a squeaking sound that might’ve been either a “Yes” or “Help.” Poseidon took it as a
yes and came in.
Paul was looking back and forth between us, trying to read our expressions. Finally he stepped forward.
“Hi, I’m Paul Blofis.”
Poseidon raised his eyebrows as they shook hands. “Blowfish, did you say?”
“Ah, no.Blofis, actually.”
“Oh, I see,” Poseidon said.“A shame. I quite like blowfish. I am Poseidon.”
“Poseidon? That’s an interesting name.”