The kettle on the stove had finished whistling, leaving only the quiet hum of the refrigerator.

“What does that mean, exactly?” I asked.

“It means the outstanding balance of two hundred and twelve thousand dollars has been paid in full,” Mr. Vance said.

The number hung in the air, heavy and strange.

“The lien on your home has been lifted,” he said.

“The lien?” I asked, my voice barely a breath.

I had never known there was a lien on our house.

I looked at David, whose head was now bowed, his shoulders shaking slightly.

“Yes,” Mr. Vance said. “The paperwork is being dispatched to your home address today.”

“Thank you, Mr. Vance,” I said.

“You are very welcome, Mrs. Whitaker,” he said. “Have a good afternoon.”

I set the receiver back on its cradle.

The small red light on the wall unit stopped flashing.

The kitchen was entirely silent.

Rachel looked from me to David, her eyes wide with confusion.

“What lien, Mom?” Rachel asked. “What is he talking about?”

I didn’t answer her right away.