(7) Back at Max's


They arrived back at Max's house. "Hey Max!" Yelled Douglas.

Max came out on his deck. Unexpectedly, he dropped down a rope ladder for them. "Climb up. I have everything ready for you," he said.

One by one they took turns climbing up; first Noah, then Jake. "Hope" said Grandma, "it is your turn."

Instead of climbing the rope ladder, Hope smiled and climbed on Douglas' back. "Are you ready?" He asked. "Yes," she said and he flew her up to the deck.

Grandma laughed and climbed up the ladder to join them.

Max's house was filled with an eclectic blend of furniture and artifacts. Some things seemed hundreds of years old.

The table had 4 place settings people size and two dragon sized. Grandma was surprised. "Max how do you come to have dishes and glasses just the right size for us?" Grandma asked. "The Professor had to use a thimble to give me a little orange juice."

Max and Douglas laughed. "I am an explorer. I have been traveling the globe for centuries and have brought back lots of treasures. I thought people might visit someday and I wanted to be prepared."

"That's wonderful and wise," said Grandma.

The food looked delicious. Hope said a blessing and they all enjoyed the succulent assortment of grapes, apples, oranges and pineapples.

In addition, Max and Douglas ate salad, a huge salad, made of assorted leaves, flowers and blossoms.

They were having fun but Grandma knew they were on a mission. They had a problem to solve. They still needed to make it possible for the dragons to get food from McDonalds without fear of being harmed.

As soon as they finished eating, Grandma explained the plan. "That sounds like it will work," Noah, Jake, Hope, Douglas and Max all replied.


"Step one; we need to head back to Texas as soon as possible. We need to show the citizens that they have nothing to fear from Douglas."


"We'll fly you back to your balloon," said Douglas. "That will be faster."

"May we help with the dishes first?" Asked Grandma.

"No," said Max. "I'll help Douglas get you back to the beach. I can do the dishes later."

"Thank you, that would be wonderful," responded Grandma.

Noah and Jake climbed on Max and Grandma and Hope climbed up on Douglas.

Away they flew to the beach where they left their hot air balloon. As they inflated the balloon they noticed there was a tiny hole and the air was leaking out. "What can we do?" Asked Jake.

Grandma had an idea. "Get your backpacks. We'll use the bubble gum to patch the hole."

They took it out and started to chew it. To make it soft and pliable. "Grandma this is a fantastic idea," said Noah.

Douglas and Max stood watching.

Hope and Grandma worked together to patch the hole.

"It's working," yelled Max, and Douglas.

Noah and Jake loaded up the balloon. Everything was set for the launch.

According to the plan, Hope was going to fly to Texas on Douglas' back. It was agreed that when people saw that Hope wasn't scared it might help them to be unafraid.

It would also proctect Douglas. The National Guard would be cautious not to put Hope in harm's way.

The rope they had created earlier was reattached to the basket and Douglas.

Grandma double checked with Hope. "Are you sure you are okay about flying back with Douglas?"

"I'm not scared. I'll be fine," Hope reassured her.

"Hold on tight," said Noah and Jake.

"I will. I promise," said Hope.

They waved good-bye to Max as they went up, up and away.