Forty Thousand Dollars and the Deed to Maple Avenue Bakery

to let him drag Beatrice’s name into his mess.”

“It is our mess now,” I said. “The final payment is due tomorrow at noon.”

Clara turned to the sink, turning the brass tap on with a sharp flick of her wrist. She washed her hands, her movements fast and impatient.

“I cannot pay it,” she said, her back still turned to me. “I do not have the money.”