Chapter 44

I coughed. “Allergies,” I lied, neglecting to tell her that I’d been stoned with an old lady that morning. I also didn’t tell her I was about to go lie to a coroner.

She eyed me suspiciously. “Uh huh.”

I gulped. Ma was impossible to fool. I’d learned that the hard way. “You have different trees and grasses up here,” I explained.

She plopped the lunch down along with a Coke. No skim milk or OJ in this house. “You’re up to something, Jack.”

I shrugged. A bead of sweat prickled my forehead. “Just eating a healthy lunch with my mommy.”

She rolled her eyes and went back to her Sudoku.

Dad walked in with Chompers. He also eyed me. “The boy is stoned,” he said, matter-of-factly.

Ma slammed her Sudoku down. “I knew it!”

“Allergies, Dad,” I protested.

He shrugged. “Whatever.” He turned to Ma. “Got any more of those Lunchables? I’m starved.”