“He left a note on my desk before he walked out,” Martha said.

She pushed the white slip across the counter.

“He wanted to know if you’d paid your forty-dollar phone bill yet this month.”

I picked up the slip without looking at the stamped numbers.

“What else did he say, Martha?”

“He said you’ve been getting mixed up about old paperwork,” Martha said.

She leaned closer across the marble.

“He told the branch manager you might need help handling basic household bills until the probate clears.”