“What did you just say?” she asked.

“The first of the month is still two weeks off,” I said.

“We need that money now, Naomi,” she said, the passive tone gone from her voice completely.

“The bank doesn’t wait around for your convenient schedule.”

“I’m not sending another dollar before the first,” I said.

Margaret folded the towel one more time and pressed it flat against her chest.

“You’ve gotten very cold,” she said softly.