It had no yard, and its counters were old yellow laminate.

I wanted a place Ethan and I could stay if returning to the house was delayed.

A deposit, the motel, initial legal costs, and travel had consumed most of my separate reserve.

I set aside $350 for a private process server from what remained.

The twelve dollars in my day-to-day checking account did not stretch any farther because I was frightened.

Frank’s office helped me arrange the necessary payment and keep a record of it.