Iris Held On to Her Paid-Off Title When Her Father Threatened to Call the Police

“The BMW dealership called this morning,” Eleanor said, her coaxing tone climbing into a sharp, desperate pitch.

“They said the monthly payment on Chelsea’s car is going up by four hundred dollars because there’s no trade-in equity from your Toyota.”

She paused, waiting for me to apologize, but I stayed quiet.

“He got eighty-five dollars for the gold,” Eleanor whispered into the phone.

“That signet ring belonged to your grandfather, Iris.

Your father sat in his pickup truck in the rain and wept while Chelsea cried in her bedroom.”

“Chelsea could return the BMW and lease a used sedan,” I said.