“That’s me,” I said, clutching my purse tight against my knees as I leaned my arm on the row of brass mailbox doors.

“Please sign on line three.

It’s a certified delivery from the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Court.”

I pressed the plastic stylus to his electronic pad and took the thick bundle out of his hands.

The return address named the law offices of Vance and Vance on East Trade Street in downtown Charlotte, acting for Patricia Ashford and Spencer Ashford.

The heavy envelope smelled of old glue and fresh toner as I climbed the carpeted stairs back up to apartment 2B.

Helen met me at the door holding a wooden spoon, the soft sound of boiling water drifting from the stove behind her.