Kendra’s silence lasted only a few seconds. Then she started crying and said Dustin had promised the money was his share, that I had agreed, and that he would bring my signed form later. She had stamped it anyway. Dustin had never mentioned that his girlfriend worked at our credit union. Ingrid called the credit union’s fraud line on speaker before anyone could leave. Dustin tried to grab the paper, and Mrs. Albano blocked the door with her cane.

The credit union froze the account that night and opened an investigation. Within a week, they reversed most of the withdrawals because of the forged signature and their own broken rule requiring both account holders. Ingrid said she had rarely seen a paper trail so complete. Kendra lost her job and her notary commission. Dustin was charged with forgery and theft. The Harbor Pointe lease was in his name, and he could no longer pay it.

Kendra moved out of the apartment within a month. She sent me a handwritten apology I still haven’t decided how to answer. Ingrid helped me file for divorce and child support, and the court ordered Dustin to repay the rest of the children’s savings in monthly installments. The blue folder turned up in his car, with the earrings still in their box beside it. Clara got new sneakers too, with no marker needed.

We still eat rice some nights, because Clara likes it with butter. But the refrigerator is full now, and I bought her a new winter coat the first week the money came back. Mrs. Albano comes up for dinner every Sunday. I finally stopped counting every dollar. Felix keeps his savings statement taped inside his closet door, right beside a drawing of a stethoscope. Every month, he checks the balance. Every month, it goes up.