That was enough instruction for me. I tapped Bones on the shoulder and said, "OK, Bones, let's go, we're out of here!"

     But of course, Bones wouldn't budge. He was shielding his eyes with his hand, looking up at where the launcher might be.    "Lump, he's a skinny, old bully. I know we can make it up that pile."

     I was about to argue back when something about that blindingly bright light reminded me of . . . hmm, what did it remind me of? Oh yeah, the Estellicane's death stare, it was like a billion-watt lethal laser.

     Wait a minute. Estelle!

     I frantically dug my phone out of my pocket and looked at the clock. Crapola! What with the epic crash and the flying cow, we had completely lost track of time. We had ten minutes to get back home before Estelle finished her bubble bath and came traipsing down the stairs, expecting to see us lounging around. Bones would have to put a lid on his wish for now. We had to go!

     I grabbed Bones by the straps of his helmet and gave him the business. "Listen to me, Bones. I'm sure we could try and head up there to get a look at the launcher. Maybe the Yizzzzza would fire out some rubber chickens instead of hubcaps, but we're not going to find out tonight. We've got less than ten minutes to get back to the house before the Estellicane storms down into the kitchen and starts up her juicer machine."

     Bones looked at me; he must have known I meant business because he turned back to the spotlight and yelled, "We'll be back! We're not afraid of you . . . you older guy!"

     Typical Bones. He couldn't insult anybody, even if you launched a cow at him.

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