“What do you think happens when you don’t pay taxes?”

“Thoreau didn’t pay taxes. He went to jail because he refused.”

“She just finished reading Civil Disobedience,” Phil told Lina before returning his attention to Katie. “Thoreau didn’t have a family to support. He could afford to go to jail. And if I recall correctly, he was only there for one night before one of his relatives paid his taxes for him. Do you realize our taxes pay for the infrastructure in this country? If everyone thought like Thoreau, we would probably still be living like it was the 1800s.”

“That could be cool,” Logan said. “We could shoot our own food.”

“And people weren’t so materialistic,” Katie said.

“Ah, the dreaded materialism again,” Phil said, his eyes moving between his children. “The two of you could practice not being materialistic if you’re concerned.”

“I’m not concerned,” Logan said. “That’s all Katie.”

“That smartphone you’re hiding under the table,” Phil began as he turned back to Katie. “Do you really believe it’s necessary? What do you think Thoreau would think of a cell phone that was probably assembled by someone in China who makes so little money he has to work eighty hours a week just to afford to live? Owning that phone,” he said, pausing as he tapped the table in front of her, “is saying you approve of those conditions.”

“I didn’t pay for it,” Katie said, lifting her chin. “You did.”

“He’s lowered her Prozac again,” Phil told Lina as they prepared for bed later that evening. “He’s also switching her appointments to bi-weekly.”

“Bi-weekly? Is she ready?”

“She’s probably been ready for weeks. You were the lure for weekly meetings.”

“That’s not true.”

“Isn’t it? Why hasn’t he ever asked to meet with me after Katie’s session? He used to meet with you, didn’t he, by yourself?”

“He had things to tell me.”

“Like the fact he’s lowering her meds or changing her appointment schedule? He gave Katie a note to pass to me. Not once in the four times I’ve sat in that waiting room have I heard him call back a parent. He was using Katie as an excuse to be close to you.”

“Will you please let it go?” As the words left her mouth, Lina tried without success to recall whether she witnessed Dr. Drayton call another parent back to his office.

The following Saturday, Lina drove Logan to a sports complex in Baltimore where he’d been invited to try out for an All-Star lacrosse team that would be comprised of the best high school–aged players in the state.

“Just let me out here,” Logan said. “I’m going to be late, and I still need to check in.”

“Relax, you have fifteen minutes.” She touched his arm. “You’ll do great.”

“Bye.” He let himself out of the car.

Lina watched him cross towards the field and felt a tug at her heart. She couldn’t remember ever seeing him so nervous. He really seemed to want to make this team. She hoped it was for himself and not his father.