Despite Grover’s insistence on keeping Percy nearby, Percy ditches him at the bus station and heads home. When he gets home, he finds his step-dad, Gabe Ugliano (whom Percy has nicknamed “Smelly Gabe” for his bad smell and attitude) gambling with his buddies. Percy’s real dad supposedly left before Percy was born, and Percy’s mom says he’s not dead, just “lost at sea” (30). Percy’s mother comes home from work and surprises him with a three-day vacation to the beach, just the two of them.

On the trip, Percy and his mom discuss his expulsion from school. He asks if he has to go to another boarding school. His mother says yes because he needs to be safe. Percy’s father told her to send Percy to a special camp, but she never did because it “might mean saying good-bye to you for good” (41).

That night, Percy dreams about a white horse and golden eagle battling. A thunderclap interrupts the dream, and he wakes to someone pounding on the door. It’s Grover, who is not wearing pants and actually has hooves, not feet. Something outside bellows. It’s chasing Grover and coming for Percy. A terrified Percy tells his mother what happened with Mrs.