The Night Eleanor Switched On the Clippers Was the Night Three Years of House Payments Came to an End

“The movers are finished.”

I opened my coat pocket once more and drew out the sealed white cashier’s check for twelve thousand four hundred dollars.

The heavy paper felt crisp and cool in my fingers.

“This check settles the division of marital equity set out in the court decree,” I said, handing it to Mr.

Vance.

He raised the check to the gray afternoon light, checking the bank seal, the date, and the payee line.

“Everything’s in order,” Mr.