“If you sign over the title this week, your father promised he’ll keep a formal ledger of the car’s full market value.”

“What kind of ledger?” I asked.

“He’ll give you full financial credit for the Toyota toward a down payment on a new townhome whenever you decide to buy,” she said.

“He wrote the dollar amount down on his yellow legal pad.

It’s a real investment in your future, Iris.”

I traced a circular water ring on the edge of the table with my thumb.

“My Toyota is seven years old and completely paid off.”