I walked down the main corridor toward the cafeteria kitchen to turn in my signed employment paperwork.

My new job as the school district’s nutrition coordinator started Monday morning.

It paid twelve dollars and fifty cents an hour, with full pediatric health coverage for Noah and Lily beginning on my first day.

Irene stood by the silver milk cooler in the kitchen, wiping down the stainless steel counter with a damp cloth.

“Dale stopped by the kitchen door an hour ago,” Irene said, never stopping her arm.

“Did he leave anything?” I asked.