The contested work would require a $2,500 retainer.

He explained what it covered, how it would be recorded, and that it was not a guarantee of success.

I counted out twenty-five bills.

Elena gave me a receipt.

I kept it beside the bank record.

Five hundred dollars remained from the withdrawal.

It was not enough to become comfortable, but it gave me choices I had not had the night before.

I bought groceries and the prenatal vitamins recommended by my clinician.