They came without demands attached.

The following Wednesday, I was preparing for a large floral installation when Dan texted.

*“Can we stop by for a couple of minutes? Ruby says it’s an emergency.”*

I smiled.

I knew Ruby.

Her emergencies could range from a lost hair ribbon to a question about the moon.

I went downstairs.

Dan’s work truck pulled into the parking lot.

Ruby climbed out holding a glass jar against her chest.

Caleb followed.

He looked slightly embarrassed but excited.

Ruby hurried toward me.

“Aunt Micah! I have something for you!”

She held out the jar.

A strip of white paper had been taped around it.

In large purple letters, she’d written:

**AUNT MICAH’S PAY.**

Inside were coins.

A few crumpled dollar bills.

And a two-dollar bill I’d given her the previous Christmas.