The television came on low.

I moved the yellow binder to the center of the counter and opened it to the first page.

Dennis’s signature sat above the notary stamp, plain as a date on a calendar.

David came back to the kitchen doorway.

“Carl asked if you were bringing anything.”

I looked at the three binders and the black ledger beside them.

“I spent five years in a ring learning how to stand my ground.

I’m not stepping back now.”