“He dropped them in his coat pocket.”

“Get those keys back today,” Monica said.

“Check your credit profile online right now, and keep that paper title in your personal bags.

Don’t leave it lying on a nightstand.”

By half past six, the family had gathered in the living room around the low coffee table to open Christmas presents.

The room smelled of dried pine needles and burning oak logs.

I handed Eleanor a small square box wrapped in silver paper.