The man in the corner glanced up from his phone and casually raised his finger.

“$900 from Mr. Reynolds. Do I have $950?”

This was it.

Maya had only $900. She couldn’t go higher. She had to make a choice: use every penny she had or walk away.

Maya raised her hand.

“$900,” she said.

The auctioneer looked confused.

“The current bid is $900, ma’am. Are you offering $950?”

“No,” she said louder this time. “I’m offering $900. The same as him.” She pointed to the man in the corner.

The auctioneer looked between them.