“I have learned not to estimate paperwork around your grandfather.”
Frank looked at him. “Smart man.”
Marcus placed the packet on the table and reviewed each item with Emily. Temporary registration. Buyer’s order. Warranty information.
Service contact. Emergency roadside number. He made her sign only after explaining what each page did.
Frank watched carefully but did not interfere.
When they reached the delivery checklist, Marcus asked Emily to walk around the vehicle before accepting it. The car had been washed and dried. The blue paint reflected the white canopy in long clean lines. The fuel tank was full.
Emily circled it slowly.
She found a faint scratch near the rear bumper that had not been obvious earlier.
Marcus crouched beside it.
“That’s in the clear coat.”
“Can it come out?”
“Probably with polish. We can do it now.”
Frank waited.
Emily looked at the scratch, then at Marcus.
“Yes. Please.”
“Absolutely.”
Marcus flagged a detail technician.
Ten minutes later, the mark was gone.
Frank smiled to himself.
A year earlier, Emily might have been too uncomfortable to point it out. Today she had asked without apology.
Progress sometimes looked like a teenager requesting polish.
When the car returned, Marcus reviewed the controls again. Emily paired her phone to the audio system. She adjusted the driver seat. She set the mirrors. Frank made her verify where the spare tools were stored and how to open the fuel door.
“Grandpa, I know how to put gas in a car.”
“Knowing and checking are different.”
“Marcus, do all grandfathers do this?”
Marcus considered the safest answer. “I don’t have enough data.”
Emily laughed.
Frank pointed at him. “Good answer.”
They moved through the checklist one item at a time.
Headlights.
Turn signals.
Hazard lights.
Windshield washer.
Tire pressure display.
Emergency brake.
Roadside kit.
Two key fobs.
Owner’s manual.
Emily placed the manual in the glove compartment, then immediately took it back out and put it in her tote.
“I’m reading it at home.”
Frank nodded. “Your grandmother has returned.”
“Stop.”
Marcus laughed.
As they finished, Trent approached from the showroom.
He stopped several feet away rather than inserting himself into the delivery.
“Emily?”
She turned.
“I wanted to say one thing before you leave.”
She waited.
“I hope the car treats you well.”
“Thank you.”