“In the top drawer.”

“Thanks.”

He carried the pieces down and loaded them into my trunk himself, then stood there with his hands in his pockets.

“This is ridiculous,” he said.

“Both of us paying lawyers by the hour.”

“You’re the one who handed me the paper on this porch, Brandon.”

“I know what I handed you.” He looked at the gutter, at the door, at anything else.

“My mother and I had a talk.