“Did he refuse to pay your wages electronically?” the reporter asked, scribbling on her pad.

“The payroll matter has been resolved,” I said.

“The shop owner gave four thousand three hundred dollars to set up the permanent lunch fund.”

“Will you be filing a formal complaint with the state labor board about the missing pay stubs?” the reporter asked.

“No,” I said.

“That matter’s closed.”

The reporter waited for more, but I shut my notebook and put it in my bag.

By four o’clock Friday afternoon the school hallways were quiet.