Thirty-eight million, nine hundred and fifty-seven thousand, three hundred and eighty-seven dollars and twelve cents.

“I make ends meet,” I said.

“Making ends meet isn’t a plan,” Arthur said.

“When I was thirty-seven, I had fourteen thousand dollars in cash reserves and two utility trucks paid off.”

“Times change, Arthur,” Helen said softly.

She held her coffee mug closer to her collarbone without taking a sip.

“Math doesn’t change,” Arthur said.

“If you spend more than you bring in, you sink.”