I put my pen down on the table and couldn’t come up with a reason to lift it again.

For maybe four seconds I was back in the old kitchen with the parade on low and Gloria at my elbow, telling me to sit down, telling me I worked too hard.

David’s pen went still.

“Harper.”

“I’m here,” I said, and pushed the settlement across the table.

At two o’clock I read my own terms aloud, because I didn’t want anybody’s lawyer voice softening them.

“One.