“He forgot they were there,” Evelyn said, setting her rag on the edge of the counter.

“He only comes in to drop off job rosters and eat the pancake specials.”

She went through the double doors into the kitchen and came back three minutes later carrying a thick book bound in faded green vinyl.

She set the heavy ledger on the counter beside his tea.

“He used this for his subcontractors before he bought that black computer,” Evelyn said.

Nathaniel unclipped the brass binder rings and turned the first page.