Coin Heist by Elisa Ludwig Page B

prom gig,” Max said.
    â€œHow can we have a gig if we can’t practice?” Chaddie asked. It was a chicken-and-egg dilemma. “It’s your fault we’re in this mess, Jason. So I think you need to take care of it.”
    I knew what he was getting at. But if no one was going to mention my dad outright, I certainly wasn’t going to.
    â€œOkay. I’ll find us a new space,” I said, finally. What else could I do? I had to just go with the flow, even if the flow was more shit. “Let me look around.”
    â€œI’ve gotta go write my history paper.” Chaddie was already halfway up the stairs. Max followed him, saying he was going to get a soda.
    Ugh. The doubt had already spread around like some green toxic gas in a cartoon. I could feel it hanging in the room, as everyone packed up the instruments they hadn’t even used.
    I wanted to be in a band. I wanted to be in a great band. The problem was, deep down, or maybe not even so deep down, I knew they were right about me. I couldn’t be counted on to make it happen. It was just like my dad always said, that I stopped short of delivering the goods. No wonder he was embarrassed of me.
    â€œThanks,” I said to Zack once it was just the two of us.
    â€œWhat? I had to air my doubts.” Zack chomped down on his sandwich, whatever it was. I wanted to grab it from him and chuck it across the room. And then what? We’d fistfight or something? We were best friends who hung out and debated the merits of Jarvis Cocker’s vocal style. So instead I just packed up my gear and told him I’d call him later.
    When I pulled the Jetta up to one of the spots outside the apartment, I found my mom waiting on the front step. She was all bundled up in her winter jacket and scarf, which made her look even tinier than usual.
    â€œWhere’ve you been?” she asked, standing up. “We have to go. Visiting hours are almost over.”
    â€œI don’t want to see Dad. I’m sorry, but I’m not going.” I had barely talked to him since he was put in the slammer. “I have homework to do.”
    â€œWell, he wants to see you,” she said, all annoyed. “And really, right now? You’re going to start doing homework, today of all days? Let’s go.”
    â€œIt’s cold out here,” I said. “You could have called.”
    â€œI didn’t want to use up our minutes. Let’s take your car. You get better mileage.”
    The Montgomery County Correctional Facility was a good half hour away in Norristown, a long way off from the Main Line. My mom sped the whole way, making me fear for the safety of my car.
    She parked in the lot in back of the jail after a guard waved us in. I noticed two very large dogs barking and tussling around in the SUV next to us when we pulled up. It had an HF sticker on the back windshield.
    â€œI guess Harold Smerconish is here,” my mom said.
    â€œThe trustee guy?” I asked. That was good news. Maybe he was here to tell my dad how they were going to rescue the school. “You can go in without me. I’ll watch the car.”
    â€œThe guard will watch the car. This is a prison. No one’s going to steal it.”
    â€œWhat about escaped convicts?”
    â€œI'm not going in without you, Jason. You’re coming.”
    My voice was hoarse, like something was caught in my throat. “I don’t want to. Mom, please.”
    â€œLook, Jason. This isn’t easy for any of us. But you sitting out here pouting is just going to make my life more complicated, okay? Because then I’ll have to explain to your father why his son is abandoning him. Don’t make me do that.” She put her cold hand on my arm, and I noticed her diamond engagement band was missing. She was only wearing the slim gold wedding band, and there was a pale spot where the other one used to be.
    I looked up into her face, her sad, shiny eyes. For a