Noah pointed at the metal lunchbox.
“Why is your money on our lawn?”
The woman looked inside the box.
Then back at Noah.
“Because apparently I’m terrible at arranging surprises that don’t look like crimes.”
Cyril covered his mouth.
I knew he was trying not to laugh.
The woman pointed to the work badge.
“That’s me. My name is Tessa.”
Noah looked suspicious.
“You put the money there?”
“With several responsible adults supervising me.”
She smiled.
“I’ve heard eight-year-olds can be very strict accountants.”
That finally made Cyril laugh.
Hannah came closer, carrying Lucy.
“The lunchboxes came from families connected to the community center,” she explained.
“I posted a picture of Lucy wearing her dress last night.”
Noah’s eyes widened.
“You told everyone I stopped eating lunch?”
“I told them what you did,” Hannah said gently.
“And I also told them that your mother made you promise never to do it again.”
