A month passes. Thanks to Mrs. Buchanan’s sister, you were able to pay last month’s rent—but unfortunately, no work has come your way since then. You find yourself, once again, sitting at the kitchen table one afternoon, transfixed by the diamond ring resting in your palm. Your most valuable possession.

It’s decided. You stand up and walk across the room to retrieve your outerwear and boots. You walk out the front door into the snow. When you reach the end of the drive, you pause for a moment. Are you sure about this?

You’re sure.

You take a deep breath and turn . . .