Mark hadn’t just let his mother and sister use my line of credit.

He had saved every slip so he could track their balance step by step.

I picked up a slip from a luxury outfitters store in Cedar Rapids.

The total came to six hundred forty dollars for outdoor gear and leather travel bags.

My fingers touched the edge of my silver wristwatch.

I adjusted the band against my skin, listening to the house clock tick on the wall.

Downstairs, the back screen door slammed shut.