The casita was pitch dark when I unlocked the side door at ten.

I left the main overhead light off and switched on only the little brass reading lamp on the nightstand.

My hands were calm and steady as I put my purse down on the mattress.

I took out my wallet and removed the white printed lottery slip from the side pocket next to my checkbook.

I laid the two-dollar slip flat on the polished wood of the nightstand next to Harold’s blue ceramic mug.

I took my cell phone out of my sweater pocket, opened the web browser, and pulled up the state lottery results page.