“Your mother came to see me six years ago.

Right after Delroy left her.” She said it the way you say a thing you have been holding for someone, waiting for them to come and claim it.

“Nettie Mabry sat right where you’re sitting now, and she made me promise that if she passed before you found the tin, I’d tell you everything myself.

I’ve been keeping that promise ready for six years.” She unlocked a filing cabinet and drew out a blue ledger and a small key.

“Your mother didn’t only save cash in that tin,” she said.