Rebels by Accident by Patricia Dunn Page A

never wanted to go. He used to joke if you’ve seen one pyramid, you’ve seen them all. And your mother didn’t feel comfortable letting you go without your baba going.”
    â€œYou didn’t want to go?”
    â€œI had seen these pyramids so many times in my life, on so many school trips, I had no desire to push the issue. Besides, I thought you’d appreciate the experience more when you were older.”
    â€œThe pyramid’s a lot taller than the pictures make it look.”
    â€œOne hundred and thirty-nine meters, or, as you would say in America, about four hundred and fifty feet,” Hassan says, joining our conversation. “It used to be the tallest structure in the world until the French built the Eiffel Tower.”
    â€œActually, the spire of Lincoln Cathedral was built first,” I say, surprised at how annoyed I sound.
    â€œOh, well, I stand corrected.”
    Deanna and Sittu lift up their sunglasses and look at me.
    I’m about to apologize when Hassan says, “I’ll be right back. I’m going to get tickets.”
    â€œYou know, Mar, I’ve been to DC, and no way is it that tall,” Deanna says.
    â€œThat’s the Lincoln Memorial,” I say, still irritated, but at Deanna for defending Hassan.
    â€œWell, it must be nice to know so much,” Sittu says.
    I look at Sittu and Deanna, then run to catch up with Hassan.
    He waits for me to speak.
    â€œThank— Shukran , I mean, for driving us here today. This really is pretty amazing.”
    â€œ Afwan .” He nods at me, and it’s clear he knows I’m apologizing. That cute dimple, right there in the middle of his chin, makes me think he forgives me. Maybe he’s not such a bad guy after all.

chapter
TWELVE
    We meet Hassan at the base of the pyramid.
    â€œReady to go inside?” he asks.
    â€œIf you don’t mind, my darlings,” Sittu says, sitting down on one of the pyramid’s base stones, “I will wait for you here. I’ve made this climb more times than I care to count.”
    â€œSo we have to climb up through that entrance?” I ask, pointing to a hole in the side of the pyramid.
    â€œYes,” Hassan says.
    â€œIs it a long climb?”
    â€œIt’s a bit steep,” Hassan says.
    â€œOh.” I don’t like heights.
    â€œWould you mind watching my pack?” Deanna asks, pulling her cell phone from her backpack before handing it over.
    â€œYou want to call the mummies?” Sittu asks.
    â€œIt has a camera too. This way I can take photos without looking like a nimrod tourist.”
    â€œNimrod?” Sittu laughs. “Noah’s great-grandson?”
    â€œIf someone calls you a nimrod, they’re calling you an idiot,” Deanna explains.
    â€œAnd you, habibti ?” Sittu turns to me. “You don’t want to look like a nimrod either?”
    I’m used to it , I think. “I don’t like taking pictures.”
    â€œGood. Better to live in the moment than to snap at it like a turtle,” Sittu says, just as Deanna clicks her phone at Sittu’s face.
    Deanna shows Sittu the screen. “This is a great picture of you.”
    â€œYou can make a call and take a photo?” Sittu asks.
    â€œAnd upload it to the Internet if I actually had a connection here.” Deanna’s obviously not getting that Sittu’s playing with us. Sittu surfs the Internet, but she doesn’t know phones have cameras inside them? I don’t think so.
    â€œTechnology is too crazy for me, but I will be very happy when they make a phone that can cook.”
    Deanna laughs as she takes her first step up. “Can you believe one of these stones weighs almost two tons?” She grabs one of the huge stones to help her climb up onto the next. “It took over two million of them to make this thing.”
    â€œShall we?” Hassan says.
    â€œYou know, I think I’ll stay and keep you