you want?”
“The invoice paid.”
He laughed nervously.
“Seven thousand dollars?”
“Seven thousand and eighteen.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“You already had the car.”
“We can have another shop inspect it.”
“You can.”
“And if they find anything wrong?”
“Then we’ll discuss it.”
“And if they don’t?”
“Then you pay.”
Another pause.
“What if we offer you four thousand?”
I almost laughed.
“You refused to pay seven thousand eighteen dollars six hours ago. Now you’re offering four?”
“We’re trying to resolve this.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because you didn’t negotiate with me last night.”
I could hear his breathing.
“You humiliated me in my own shop.”
“No, Craig. We were joking.”
“You dropped my invoice on the floor.”
Silence.
“You threatened me with my children.”
Silence again.
That one landed differently.
When Laura used the boys as leverage, I had felt something inside me change.
Not rage.
Something colder.
Clarity.
“You don’t get
