The formation papers came first.

My signature appeared where I remembered signing it.

Farther back were the operating agreement, property documents, and part of the financing file from the year Ethan’s development company had nearly run out of time.

I remembered that year in fragments.

Ethan at the kitchen counter after midnight.

A call he did not want to answer.

His father’s old contacts offering advice that did not produce funds.

The relief on his face when the package finally closed.