When I pulled into the driveway, I immediately understood why the couple’s confidence had disappeared. Standing beside my grandpa were two unexpected people: a uniformed sheriff’s deputy and a sharply dressed woman holding a leather folder. Grandpa gave me a calm nod, as if we were meeting for coffee instead of confronting the people who had refused to pay him.

The husband stood in the doorway wearing his robe, his face changing from irritation to unease. Grandpa looked at him and smiled. “You told me I was just one old carpenter working alone. That was mostly true. But in fifty years, I’ve never worked without a contract.” He introduced the woman as his attorney and reminded them about the paperwork they had signed the day before. The wife appeared behind him, coffee in hand, as Grandpa explained that their signature proved they had refused to pay the $5,400 they owed. Then his attorney slowly opened the folder and pulled out another document.