A Twenty-Dollar Bill Dropped Into the Dust Beside a Tennessee Highway

“My birthday isn’t until Tuesday,” I said.

“I know, but Friday’s the merger signing, and we’ll both be way too busy then,” Tiffany said.

She stepped away from the stove and touched the diamond pendant at her throat.

“Sit down and let me serve you.”

I pulled out a heavy wooden chair at the granite island and sat down carefully.

The folded transfer request in my boot dug into my skin every time I shifted.

“The lawyers sent the merger papers over this afternoon,” I said.