That leaves eighty-five thousand five hundred to go.”

“We need eighteen hundred thirty paper wrappers altogether,” I said, checking the yellow pad in my lap.

“You brought eight hundred from your kitchen drawer.”

“I saved every paper wrapper the elementary cafeteria ever tossed out for twenty years,” Irene said, her gentle Midwestern voice as steady as a clock pendulum.

“I thought eight hundred was a mountain.”

Noah leaned over the edge of the blue plastic tub to reach a pile of clean coins on the towel.

His knee caught the rounded lip of the heavy tub.