When they’ve finished their dessert, please bring the remaining balance to the gentleman at the head of the table, or to my husband Derek beside him.

They’ll be taking care of it tonight.

I did not name a figure.

I did not need to; the figure would speak for itself soon enough, and loudly.

I only needed to redirect the folder, the little leather folder that had drifted toward me at the end of every family meal for two years, so that for once it would land somewhere else.

I was not punishing anyone.