Free Reel to Real by Joyce Nance Page A

mom’s house was right around the very next corner.
    “Do you have any idea where we’re going, man?” John finally asked, glowering.
    “I’m just having a hard time remembering exactly where it is. It’s just been a while.”
    John turned his head sideways. “Didn’t you tell me when we was in the joint that your parents lived in New Mexico?”
    “Yeah, they did. But my mom moved up here.”
    “But you don’t know where?” John shook his head.
    Shane thought for a moment. “You know what? We might actually be in the wrong part of town. Let’s go look over on the south side and check it out over there.”
    “What? No. Fuck that shit, dude. I’m not doing any more of this bullshit. Drive me back to Pueblo. I’ll beg Crystal to let me in if I have to. We’re done here.” John thought for a second and then added, “And you’re not staying either. You’re going back. Tonight.”
    Not saying a word, Shane made a U-turn, shifted into third, and headed towards the freeway.
    February 19, 1996
    Shane’s mom and dad were up for the day from T or C, and dropped by to see him in the early afternoon. They came to see him fairly often, usually leaving him extra cash and food just in case he needed it.
    Feeling at loose ends after they left, Shane dropped by his neighbor Jason’s apartment, bringing over a package of coffee cake and a couple cans of soda his mother had left for him.
    “Hey Jace, what’s happening dude?” Shane said, strolling in.
    Jason looked up from his book and smiled. “Not much, man. Just catching up on my reading. What’s up with you?”
    “Nothing, nothing. My parents were just here and my mom left me some munchies. You want some? You like apple strudel?”
    “Yeah, I do. Cut me some.”
    “Already done, dude.” Shane handed him a pre-cut piece on a paper towel.
    “So what else is new?” Shane asked. “Got any good parties to go to?” Shane was referring to the fact that Jason occasionally worked as a DJ at various events around town.
    “I got one in couple of weeks. I wish I had more. I could really use the cash. I’m taking a few trips in March and the extra bucks would come in handy.” Jason smiled and added, “But I’ll get by.”
    Shane’s face got serious. He seated himself on Jason’s coffee table, facing him.
    “Look, dude, if you need more cash,” Shane said, lowering his voice. “I might have a way.”
    Jason tensed. “What do you mean? ’Might have a way?’”
    “Well, it’s no big deal. No big deal at all. It’s just that I might know a place we could go to where we could get some money. If we went at just the right time, there’d only be a few people there, but there’d be a ton of cash. I'm talking major money. It would be quick and should go really smooth. No one would have a clue we were involved.”
    Jason didn’t respond. His eyes were wide and his breathing shallow.
    Shane, unaware, continued, “But if something did go wrong, don’t worry about that either. I’ve got that covered. A few people could maybe get hurt, but I would be the one to handle that. I would take care of any problems. You’d just be the helper.”
    Shane finally stopped talking and looked over to see Jason’s reaction. He saw the color drain from his friend’s face. He looked almost ghost-like. Instantly, Shane realized he was barking up the wrong tree.
    Jason sat without moving.
    Shane burst into loud laughter. Then he stood up and playfully slapped Jason on the back, still laughing.
    “Dude? Dude?” he said, gasping for air and squatting down to a level even with Jason’s face.  “You didn’t think I was serious, did you?” Shane looked him in the eye.
    Jason took a deep breath and looked uncomfortable. Shane let out several more exaggerated guffaws and then put his hand on his friend’s shoulder and held it there, trying to normalize the situation.
    “Sorry, brother. It was just a joke, I didn’t mean to scare you,” Shane said, standing back up.
    Jason