I overheard her on the phone in the den.

She told someone she’d have the money by December.”

“The money for what?”

“That’s the part I couldn’t make out.”

She got out, then leaned back in with the door half open and the cold sneaking in around her.

“If she asks me to sign it tomorrow, what should I say?”

“Tell her you have to read it first.”

She nodded and walked back toward the school with her hands shoved in her pockets.