The Giant Smugglers by Matt Solomon Page A

Anything wrong with that?”
    Just then the Hummer roared up into their driveway. DJ revved the motor to impress Charlie before killing it. He hopped out of the driver’s side with a bag in his hand. “Hey there, C-Squared. I picked up some doughnuts!”
    â€œCool,” Charlie said. He’d take a doughnut.
    â€œFor the ride to Madison!” he exclaimed. “Surprise! Let’s see what kind of trouble we can get into over at the World of Wheels, then shoot over to the college to get some of those guy-ros with the cucumber sauce and onions. They’re Greek, like olives! Madtown, baby!”
    As always, DJ’s timing was awful. Charlie stammered, “I … I can’t go.”
    The man looked like his cable just went out during the Super Bowl.
    â€œCharlie!” exclaimed his mom, with more than a hint of disappointment in her voice. “DJ went to a lot of trouble to plan this trip.”
    â€œI’m sure he’s got a good reason,” offered DJ, looking to Charlie with an expression that pleaded, It’s not me, right?
    Charlie did have a good reason, but he sure couldn’t let his mom know what it was. Then, out of nowhere, an excuse popped out of his mouth. “I’ve got a … a date.”
    Rita’s eyebrows arched, crinkling her forehead in doubt. “A date date?” she asked. “With a girl?”
    The surface temperature of Charlie’s cheeks rose a few degrees. He was trying to think fast, but his brain felt like it was stuck in quicksand.
    DJ launched into a big grin. “Ten-four, C-B!” He winked at Rita and punched Charlie in the shoulder. “Madison will be there next weekend. But a date with a beautiful girl? You grab those opportunities when they come, am I right?”
    â€œA date at eight in the morning? Sounds fishy to me,” argued Rita, hands on her hips.
    â€œWe’re not supposed to meet until noon, but I wouldn’t be back from Madison in time.” The excuse sounded pretty good to Charlie.
    â€œWho is this girl, anyway?”
    â€œAdele.” Charlie blurted out the first name that came into his head. “Adele Hawkins.”
    â€œThere you go,” said DJ. “Her folks work at the plant. Good people.”
    But Charlie could tell his mom wasn’t quite buying it.
    â€œAdele Hawkins. I suppose I could call her mother and confirm?”
    All of a sudden, the excuse didn’t feel so good after all. A slick of sweat ran down Charlie’s neck. He’d be in a real jam if his mom called, but there was no turning back now. “Sure. Go ahead,” he said, trying to sound casual as he leaned against the stairs.
    â€œAnother time, C-Horse,” said DJ, throwing Charlie the bag of doughnuts. “Have fun today.”
    â€œThanks.” Charlie felt kind of bad, but what was he supposed to do?
    His mom stood up and brushed the grass from her Ed’s Fine Foods shirt. “Well, I need to get to work. I’ll see you tonight, Charlie.” She raised an eyebrow. “I want to hear more about this girl.”
    â€œMy plans just got canceled,” said DJ with a smile. “How about a ride?” She accepted the offer and they both hopped into the H2. With a wave to Charlie, they were off.
    Whew.
    Charlie ditched the donuts and hightailed it across Church Street. He looked up to the high windows, flashed an index finger to signal “Just one minute!” and darted into the dark alley.
    The plan was simple but terrifying: work his way up to the warehouse roof and jump down the elevator shaft. The giant would catch him.
    Hopefully.
    A halo of sunlight glowed around the top of the tree Charlie needed to climb to get up on the roof. He’d imagined the ascent over and over in his head during the night, but the oak was taller and more intimidating when he was standing underneath it. He took a deep breath, reached to grab hold of a low branch, felt the