I went back in and got the boy and we drove home.

Part Nineteen: The Receipt

The heater in that truck has one of those small moulded trays under the dial.

Silas had the oak case on his knees and as the engine warmed the case slid an inch on the vinyl and the lid came up, and he said, “Let me fix it,” and pressed the brass clasps shut.

And a piece of paper came out of the wrapping that was still tucked underneath and landed in the tray.

Thermal paper.