Page 20 (1/2)

"In other words, we’re lost," Linc said

"Le us directions?"

King, or whatever his na too much "I could--for a price"

Linc slapped a ten-dollar bill on the counter

The grouch eyed the ain, it etting"

"Fine" He pocketed the money and slouched off toward the kitchen "I’ll be back with your order"

Tenpacked with sandwiches, potato chips and canned sodas Linc decided not to ask how old the meat loaf was He paid the tab and didn’t complain at the price, which seemed seriously inflated

"About those directions?" Linc asked

Ned took out the hter had drawn and spread it on the linoleu place looked pretty direct, and Linc didn’t kno he’d ht," the grouch told the out the last word

"Big-time lost," Ned added

This was a point that did not need further emphasis Linc would’ve preferred his brothers keep their mouths shut, but that wasn’t likely to happen

"Okay, you’re here," King infor a circle around their current location He highlighted the street names at the closest intersection "You’re near the corner of Burley and Glenwood"

"Got it," Linc said

"You need to head east"

"East," Linc repeated

"Go down about two ot that"

The grouch turned the directions around and circled the Harding ranch "This is where Cliff and Grace Harding live"

"Okay"

"So, all you do after you cross the highway is go east Keep going until you see the water, then turn left The Harding place will be about three-quarters of a mile down the road on the left-hand side"

"Thanks," Linc said Those directions seeh for anyone to follow Even the three of the fortheir sandwiches, Linc handed the bag to his youngest brother and they piled out the door

"Merry Christrasped yet that this rouch’s frown darkened "Yeah, whatever"

Linc waited until they were back in the vehicle before he coe," Mel said

Ned tore open the sack and passed one sandwich to Linc and another to Mel Linc bit into his The old grouch ht now that compensated for a lot

The three of thehway overpass

"Hey, you two, I’ the last bite "Pay attention, will you?"

"Sorry" Ned stared out at the road

"He said to drive until we can see the water," Linc reminded them

"It’s dark," Mel protested "How are we supposed to see water?"

"We’ll knoe find it," Ned put in

Linc rolled his eyes "I hope you’re right, that’s all I can say"

Linc couldn’t tell how far they’d driven, but the water never ca?" he asked his brothers

"Keep going," Mel insisted "He didn’t say e’d see the water"

"He didn’t," Linc agreed, but he had a bad feeling about this The road wasn’t straight ahead the way the grouch had drawn it on the ain, so confused he no longer knew if he was going east or west

"You don’t think that King guy would’ve intentionally given us the wrong directions, do you?"