The counter was still scratched.

The pen had left a blue dot in the laminate.

She opened the manila folder on the table and put the permission slip in with the birth certificates, squared the edges, and closed it.

In her coat pocket were the two halves of Daniel’s check.

She dropped them in the trash under the sink and set the lid back on.

In her purse were two envelopes from the electric company, still sealed, the red print on the front gone soft with handling.