Annabeth Chase and the Lightning Thief

Chapter 39 - I become Grover's mama goat

On the Fourth of July, we all went down to the beach for a fireworks display organized by Cabin Nine. Hephaestus's kids always did the displays as they made the rockets themselves. And it was never lame either. The children of the fire god always had something up their sleeves.

Seeing as it was Percy's first time, I sat with him so I could tell him all about it, as I'd seen it tons of times. He didn't seem to mind me explaining how the rockets exploded in such a sequence that they created forms of warriors and other moving animations across the starry sky. I think he was just happy to be able to relax, not having the fate of the world resting on his shoulders any more.

We were spreading out a picnic blanket to sit on when Grover came to say goodbye. I'd known he was leaving to start his search for days now, but still, it was a shock that this was the last time I'd see him for awhile. Maybe forever.

But I hid my fear from him, plastering a smile on my face as I hugged him.

"Remember to keep your fake feet on," I said, seeing that he was all dressed as a human in preparation.

"What are you going to seek first?" Percy asked.

Grover looked embarrassed. "Kind of a secret. I wish you could come with me, guys, but humans and Pan . . ."

"We understand," I said. "You got enough tin cans for the trip?"

"Yeah."

"And you remembered your reed pipes?"

"Jeez, Annabeth," he grumbled. "You're like an old mama goat."

But he didn't sound annoyed and I didn't fell insulted. He knew it was because I cared for him. He was practically a brother to me.

As he gripped his walking stick and slung a backpack over his shoulder, I was shocked to see how much he'd changed. He looked older, a wispy goatee on his chin and his horns a little longer. He no longer looked weak and defenseless, but strong and confident. My worries subsided slightly. He'd be fine.

"Well," he said. "Wish me luck."

I hugged him again and he and Percy slapped shoulders, acting like the macho men they were. Then Grover turned and headed over the dunes, away from us.

Before he completely disappeared from sight, Percy called out to him one last time. "Hey Grover."

He turned, just nearly invisible in the darkness.

"Wherever your going," Percy said, "I hope they make good enchiladas."

Grover grinned, then turned and disappeared from sight.

Looking at Percy, I saw the some worry on his face that I felt. Grover was his best friend. And there was a high chance he'd die searching for Pan, like every other satyr had.

"We'll see him again," I said, half to convince myself as well as Percy.

He didn't look that reassured, but fortunately the fireworks display started up. We sat back down on the picnic rug in companionable silence and watched in awe and scenes explode above us: Hercules killing the Nemean lion, Artemis chasing the boar, all other famous demigods throughout history, such as George Washington, Amelia Earhart, Martin Luther King Junior. And at the end, Spartan Warriors burst into life, slashed at each other and erupted into millions of sparks. No matter how many times I'd seen it, it was still my favourite part.

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After awhile, life seemed to settle back into normal. Our celebrity status for surviving the quest gradually wore off, which was alright with me. I'd never wanted to be famous myself, although I did want my name known, but rather because of my work, most likely as an architect.