Insurance companies became involved.
Repair estimates started piling up.
The entire situation became expensive and embarrassing very quickly.
Strangely, I didn’t enjoy Denise’s humiliation nearly as much as I had imagined I would.
For almost a year, I had fantasized about finally catching her.
I thought proving I had been right would feel satisfying.
Instead, I mostly felt tired.
A few days later, Denise knocked on my door again.
This time, she was fully dressed.
And calm.
“I brought you something.”
She handed me an envelope.
Inside was a check covering the first repair estimate for my car.
“I’ll cover whatever insurance doesn’t,” she said.
I studied her face.
“Why?”
“Because I owe you.”
I nodded.
“Yes, you do.”
She winced slightly but didn’t argue.