Lori's Company has the following items: cash in a checking account, $$5,000$; cash in a savings account, $$8,000$; high $-$ grade government securities due in one month $($purchased last month$),$ $$3,556$; accounts receivable, $$3,000.$ How much should appear as Cash and Cash Equivalents on the balance sheet?

A$.$ $$19,556$

B$.$ $$16,556$

C$.$ $$8,000$

D$.$ $$16,000$