I opened my laptop and went to the school payment portal.

The tuition bill was due Friday.

I entered the amount, the account number, and the date.

The screen said scheduled.

I closed the laptop.

Then I made a cup of coffee in the kitchen.

The machine was old and loud, but it worked.

I carried the cup back to the desk and set it beside the astronaut.

The tiny plastic astronaut stood guard beside the freshly poured cup of coffee.