The pen pressed hard into the paper.

The broken heater in the car meant she would need a mechanic sooner or later.

The extra forty-five-dollar bank fee from Wednesday had already eaten into her safety net.

Now the full motel cost was threatening everything else.

She looked over at her sons.

Eli was reciting the periodic table while Owen timed him on a cheap digital watch.

They did not care that the room smelled like stale cigarette smoke.

They only cared about winning the state science medal.