Chapter 5: The Dealership
The next morning, Dad drove straight to the dealership.
Neither of us spoke much.
The sky was gray, and rain streaked the windshield.
My eyes hurt from staring at the road.
Dad kept both hands on the steering wheel.
Finally, he said, "You don't have to come inside.""
"I'm coming.""
"Emma.""
"I want to see what happened.""
He glanced at me.
Then nodded.
"Okay.""
The red sports car was sitting beneath a row of bright showroom lights when we walked in.
It looked exactly like the picture.
Beautiful.
Expensive.
Completely wrong.
A salesman approached us.
"Mr. Carter?""
Dad nodded.
"Yes.""
"I'm Mike. I spoke with you last night.""
Mike glanced at me.
"Are you Emma?""
"Yes.""
His smile disappeared.
"I see.""
Dad placed the dealership documents on the desk.
"We need the entire transaction.""
Mike nodded.
"Of course.""
He opened a folder.
"Tyler purchased the vehicle three days ago. Your wife was listed as the financial guarantor.""
Dad's jaw tightened.
"Guarantor?""
Mike hesitated.
"She signed several documents.""
"Show me.""
Mike slid the papers across the desk.
Dad read them.
I watched his finger move down the page.
Then he stopped.
His face went pale.
"What is this?""
Mike leaned forward.
"Which part?""
"This.""
Dad tapped a line near the bottom.
"Home equity guarantee.""
Mike nodded.
"That was part of the financing package.""
Dad looked at me.
"She used our house.""
Mike cleared his throat.
"The loan was secured against the property.""
Dad pushed back from the desk.
"How much?""
"Thirty-six thousand, including fees and the initial financing.""
Dad looked at Laura's signature.
She had forged nothing.
She had signed her own name.
That somehow made it worse.
Dad turned toward Mike.
"Can this deal be canceled?""
Mike shook his head.
"Not automatically.""
"Why?""
"Your son-in-law—"
"He's not my son.""
"Sorry. Tyler took delivery after all financing conditions were satisfied.""
Dad's voice became cold.
"And the thirty thousand?""
Mike looked uncomfortable.
"That was the down payment.""
I felt my throat tighten.
"Can the car be returned?""
"If the lender agrees, there may be options.""
Dad stood.
"Call them.""
Mike hesitated.
"Sir, I can't simply reverse a completed sale.""
"Then find someone who can.""
Mike picked up the phone.
While he called the finance department, Dad walked toward the showroom window.
The red car sat outside.
I stood beside him.
"She really did this.""
He nodded.
"I know.""
"Why would someone choose a car over their own kid?""
Dad looked at me.
"Some people convince themselves they're solving one emergency.""
"And create a bigger one.""
"Exactly.""
The finance manager arrived ten minutes later.
Her name was Patricia.
She shook Dad's hand.
"Mr. Carter, I understand there's a dispute.""
"There is.""
Patricia looked at the documents.
"The vehicle loan is valid.""
"Even though my wife's down payment came from my daughter's savings?""
Patricia's expression changed.
"I wasn't aware of that.""
"I have bank records.""
She studied them.
"Then you may have a separate legal issue.""
Dad nodded.
"I know.""
Patricia lowered her voice.
"There's another problem.""
Dad looked at her.
"What?""
"The home equity guarantee hasn't been funded yet.""
Dad froze.
"What?""
"The lien paperwork is pending. If you're contesting the transaction, you need to act immediately.""
For the first time all morning, Dad looked relieved.
"How long?""
"Potentially twenty-four to forty-eight hours.""
He nodded.
"Then we're canceling it.""
Patricia looked toward the showroom.
"The vehicle can be surrendered, but there may still be fees.""
"I'll pay the fees.""
I looked at him.
"Dad—"
He shook his head.
"No.""
"But—"
"No.""
He looked directly at me.
"Not one more dollar of yours.""
We completed the paperwork.
The car would be returned.
The loan would be challenged.
And Dad would deal with the financial damage himself.
But when we stepped outside, I noticed a black SUV parked across the street.
Tyler was sitting behind the wheel.
He got out.
His face was furious.
"You took my car?""
Dad stepped forward.
"It's being returned.""
"You can't do that!""
"I can.""
"You promised me!""
Dad stared at him.
"I never promised you anything.""
Tyler pointed at me.
"This is because of her?""
I stepped back.
Dad's voice sharpened.
"Don't point at my daughter.""
Tyler laughed bitterly.
"She always gets everything.""
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"My money?""
"Tyler," Dad warned.
"You don't understand!""
"I understand perfectly.""
Tyler's eyes were red.
"Mom said you knew about the loan!""
Dad went still.
"What loan?""
Tyler's anger disappeared.
He looked suddenly frightened.
"I...""
Dad took one step toward him.
"What loan, Tyler?""
Tyler swallowed.
May you like
Then he whispered something that made my father's face change.
"The car wasn't the only thing Mom paid for.""
