She walked me through the repairs one by one
The brakes had been tested and the steering checked
The damaged bracket had been replaced and the wheel bearing repaired
Peter had completed the required documentation and confirmed the car was safe for a controlled road test
He offered to drive first
I accepted
We traveled along a quiet industrial road while he checked the cars response
The engine sounded deeper than I remembered
The brakes worked smoothly when he slowed for a stop sign
He pulled into an empty lot and turned toward me
He asked whether I wanted to take the wheel
I sat motionless for a moment
The seat smelled of old vinyl and the faint citrus cleaner Laura liked
I thought of every hour she had spent making the car feel like ours
Then I changed places with Peter
I adjusted the mirror and placed my hands on the steering wheel
The leather was warm from the sun
I drove slowly at first
Peter gave directions without rushing me
When we returned to the shop I realized I had been smiling
Celia asked how the car felt
I said it felt like coming home through a door I had been afraid to open
She looked at Peter and grinned
He said that was as good a review as he had ever received
I paid the invoice and collected the photographs and inspection report
The repair costs would be included in my documented claim
I did not expect the process to be quick
I was grateful that the Mustang was no longer waiting for someone elses permission to move
That night I placed Lauras notebook on the passenger seat
I did not drive anywhere
I simply sat behind the wheel in the garage and listened to the cooling engine
The next morning I woke to a call from the independent attorney
He said the audit had uncovered payments that did not match approved board minutes
The matter had been referred to the appropriate authorities for review
He could not tell me whether Meredith would face charges
He could tell me the association had begun contacting residents whose vehicles had been removed under the disputed policy
He asked whether I would be willing to give a statement about the effect of the towing attempt
I agreed
He said he would send a written request
When I hung up I looked at the Mustang through the kitchen window
