Grover called me as I sat out on my fire escape. He said he tried to tell Percy everything, but he ran. Percy's in his room, his lights were on. So I told Grover that he was okay.

"Em!" I looked down and saw Sally, Percy's mom.

"Hi, Sally!" I smiled at her.

"I have some candy in my bag. How about you come over and share it with us?" Sally asked.

"Sure! Thanks!" I told her before going back inside.

I went over to the house and didn't even look at Percy's step dad as I followed Percy and Sally into Percy's room. I sat on the floor with Percy next to me as we ate the candy and Sally asked questions about the school year.

"I have a surprise for you two." Sally smiled after we finished our stories. "We're going to the beach."

"Montauk?" Percy questioned.

"Three nights, same cabin." Sally said.

"When?" I asked.

"As soon as I get changed." She answered.

I was actually planning on going to Camp Half-Blood, but I'm sure I can miss a few days. I'm not all that excited for it, I only have a few friends. Annabeth being one of them. I don't even have my own cabin. Since I haven't been claimed, I stayed in the Hermes cabin with all the other unclaimed kids or children of minor gods and goddesses.

I looked up as Gabe appeared in the doorway, "Bean dip, Sally? Didn't you hear me?"

"I was on my way, honey." Sally told him, "We were just talking about our trip."

"The trip? You mean you were serious about that?" Gabe questioned.

"I knew it. He won't let us go." Percy said.

"Of course he will," Sally replied, "Your stepfather is just worried about the money. That's all. Besides, Gabriel won't have to settle for bean dip. I'll make him enough seven-layer dip for the whole weekend. Guacamole. Sour cream. The works."

"So the money for the trip... it comes out of your clothes budget, right?" Gabe asked.

"Yes, honey."

"And you won't take my care anywhere but there and back."

"We'll be very careful."

Gabe scratched his chin, "Maybe if you hurry with the seven-layer dip... and maybe if the kid apologizes for interrupting my poker game."

I grabbed Percy's hand and squeezed it. I know he doesn't want to, would do anything but apologize to that man.

"I'm sorry." Percy said through his teeth, "I'm really sorry I interrupted your incredibly important poker game. Please go back to it right now."

Gabe narrowed his eyes, "Yeah, whatever."

Gabe went back to his game and Sally went to go make the dip. I left and went to go pack. My mother wasn't home, so I left a note before leaving. Gabe reluctantly gave up his Camaro and we left for the beach.

When we got there, we went for a walk on the beach and ate blue food.

Yeah, that's right. Blue food.

That night we sat outside the cabin around a fire and Sally told us about Percy's dad.

"He was kind. Tall, handsome, and powerful. But gentle, too. You have his black hair, Percy, and his blue-green eyes. I wish he could see you. He would be so proud." Sally said.

"How old was I? When he left?" Percy questioned.

"He we only with me for one summer, Percy. Right here at this beach. This cabin." Sally answered.

"But... he knew me as a baby."

"No, honey. He knew I was expecting a baby, but he never saw you. He had to leave before you were born." Sally corrected.

Percy was silent for a few moments, "Are you going to send me away again? To another boarding school?"

"I don't know, honey." She answered, "I think... I think we'll have to do something."

"Because you don't want me around?" Percy asked and I stared at him with wide eyes,

Who would say that to their mother?

"Oh, Percy, no. I have to, honey. For your own good. I have to send you away." Sally said, tears in her eyes.

"Because I'm not normal."

"You say that like it's a bad thing, Percy." I mumbled.

"Percy, you don't know how important you are." Sally told him, "I thought Yancy Academy was far enough away. I thought you'd finally be safe."

"Safe from what?" Percy questioned.

"I've tried to keep you as close to me as I could." Sally said. "They told me that was a mistake. But there's only one other option, Percy. The place your father wanted to send you. And I just... I just can't stand to do it."

"My father wanted to send me to a special school?"

"Not a school." I corrected, "A summer camp."

"I'm sorry, Percy." Sally sniffled, "But I can't talk about it. I couldn't send you to that place. It might mean saying good-bye to you for good."

"For good?" Percy looked at me, "I thought you said it was summer camp."