I tightened my grip on the white cardboard square.

The land company rep lowered his hand and crossed his arms over his leather jacket.

He stared straight at me, waiting to see if I had any money left in the bank.

He thought he could scare me into walking away.

I locked eyes with the land company rep across the gravel yard.

The man in the wool overcoat didn’t blink.

He kept his hands comfortably in his pockets and chewed a piece of mint gum.