They walked to the front of the restaurant and pushed through the glass door.

The bell rang behind them.

I sat alone in the booth and picked up the green check.

The total printed at the bottom was fifty-two dollars and forty cents.

I touched the money in my coat pocket.

It was every dollar I had to my name.

The waitress was wiping down the counter across the room, watching me.

The manager stood near the register, looking straight at my table.