I photographed the label on the box, along with the receipt, in rapid succession. Marveling at the text capture setting for the lens, I displayed the images upon my laptop. I reread the instructions. I read them aloud to Miles. We pondered them. "I need a printer!" I declared at long last.

I wrestled the LaserJet away from the mountains of packaged debris jutting from our living room walls. Locating the proper cables, I continued our mission. The hiss was whisper-quiet, chiffon against ironwork, as it issued my printed documents. Eyes alight, I waved them eagerly to Miles. He nodded in his unique blend of interest and boredom. "The rest is up to you!" He nodded again, rising from the couch.

"Will you write the number? Your writing is easier to read." Acquiescent, I reached for my favorite pen (a comely Pilot Fine Point!). "Okay, it's ellexayfivefiveohfiveone—"

"Wait!" I interrupted. "Is that five-five-OH, or five-five-ZERO?" He was reading very quickly, with little regard for me or my pen.

"Zero," he replied on a sigh. He tried to administer a little attitude, but I was unaffected. The tensions were high. We were on unfamiliar ground; we would fare better as a team.

I finished writing the number and addressed the envelope. Folding the paperwork just so, I sealed the flap and affixed the stamp. Our eyes were bright as they connected over the upheld parcel. It was a special moment. We had just completed our first mail-in rebate.