On Friday night, I went to the homecoming football game with Mom.

The whole town was there. It's the biggest night of the year in Haddon. Hot dogs, hot chocolate, the marching band, the Hornets in their gold helmets.

At half time, I went back to the parking lot to get Mom's blanket from the truck. Somebody had put a big cardboard sign in the windshield, written in black marker.

FOR SALE. $500. OR BEST OFFER. ASK FOR WYATT. HE NEEDS THE MONEY.

Behind me, I heard laughing. Brett and Dale were standing by Brett's shiny new pickup, with beers in their hands.

“Just trying to help you out, buddy!” Dale called.

I took the sign out of the windshield. I looked at it for a moment.

Then I laughed too. Honestly, it was pretty funny.

“Five hundred's a bit low, Dale,” I said. “She's got a new radio.”

They laughed even harder.

When I got back to the stands, the mayor was speaking over the loudspeaker.

“And before the second half, some news, everybody. The buyer of the old Haddon Furniture Works will be announcing their plans at a town meeting this Monday night, seven o'clock, in the high school gym. Everybody's welcome.”

The whole crowd went quiet. Then people started whispering.

Mom squeezed my hand.

“I hope it's good news,” she said. “Your dad can't take any more bad.”