Across the top line, in bold red marker, was a total debt of nine hundred eight dollars and forty cents.

I looked at the red total at the top of the page again.

Nine hundred eight dollars and forty cents.

My last paycheck from Heckert Auto Repair was nine hundred fifteen dollars.

If every penny was clean and rolled by noon Friday, my check would cover every child on that list with six dollars and sixty cents to spare.

Right under the total was a printed column of twenty-three student account numbers, each tagged in orange with the words collection agency transfer.

I looked at the third account number on the list and recognized the digits printed on Noah’s yellow school library card.