“Mark talked to your father yesterday at the grain elevator, and he said household money is tight until the school board renews his administrative contract next month.”

She held the folded bills out toward the pocket of my work shirt.

“We’re doing fine, Mom,” I said, keeping my hands flat at my sides.

“Keep that money for the tractor diesel.”

“Mark is being sensible,” Grace said, tucking the bills back into her apron pocket.

“A vice principal knows how to run a strict household budget during harvest season.

It takes real discipline to cut back on household spending when prices go up around here.”