“Let’s skip the settlement conference,” he said.

“I’ll sign anything your attorney drafts.

No contest, no motions.”

“Gordon is going to want it in writing.”

“Gordon can have anything he wants.” He leaned back and crossed one ankle over his knee.

“I just want us to finish this with dignity and no more legal bills.”

I watched a woman across the path pulling a red wagon with a little boy riding in it.

The boy held a cordless phone to his ear and pretended to make a call, and his voice carried: Hello?