The Deal The was our signal for my telling Mom if I really wanted to leave. "Oh, you're right, " said Mom, getting up. I could tell she was pretending to check the time on her watch. "I'm sorry, everbody. I lost track of the time. We have to go pick up my daughter at her new school. She's taking an unofficial tour today." This part wasn't a lie: that Via was checking out her new school today. Th..