Martha wiped drywall dust off her palms onto her trousers.

She picked up the paper without touching the check.

“What does line four say?” she asked.

Nathaniel pointed to the tight print above the signature block.

“Full settlement of all outstanding labor claims for the month of December.”

Martha looked up, her eyes quiet and direct.

“Six hundred dollars leaves twelve hundred of my earned pay on his balance sheet.”

“It pays for four weeks of lodging,” Nathaniel said.