“I’m here to hear your offer, Attorney Vance.”

Vance gestured to one of his associates, who slid a six-page legal agreement across the smooth glass toward me, along with a heavy silver fountain pen.

“This is a full release of all civil and criminal claims arising from Sunday afternoon,” Vance said, his voice smooth and condescending.

“In exchange, your father has agreed to pay your son’s current hospital balance in full.”

“And the thirty-day eviction notice delivered to my apartment building this morning?” I asked.