“What’s this?”
“Your bus fare and lunch money, with interest.”
“You gave me nine dollars.”
“I rounded up.”
“That’s too much.”
“Ruby.”
She counted the bills.
Then placed four back on his desk.
“This is enough.”
Nathaniel stared at the four dollars.
Claire laughed.
“Don’t argue. You won’t win.”
Nathaniel picked up the money.
“I’ve negotiated billion-dollar contracts.”
“And?”
“I’ve had easier negotiations.”
Ruby put the remaining five dollars in her backpack.
Then she noticed something sitting on Nathaniel’s shelf.
A framed copy of Eleanor’s original letter.
Not the private one.
The first letter asking Graves Energy to honor its promise to the tenants.
Below it was a small metal plaque:
Doing the right thing matters most when nobody’s watching.
Ruby stared.
“That’s what my mom says.”
Nathaniel looked at Claire.
“She told me Eleanor used to say it.”
Claire nodded.
