She did not offer me confidential information I wasn’t entitled to receive.

Instead, she explained which documents I could request as a listed party, what the lender’s confirmation would show, and how to dispute errors if the account appeared on my credit report.

“People assume a car is worth whatever it costs at the showroom,” she said.

“The loan balance has its own story.”

Her words stayed with me.

The SUV was polished and impressive.

Tommy loved its heated seats and the screen that showed the car from above when we parked.