Later that afternoon, Amanda and I took my car to the detailing shop.
The technician tested a small area and explained that the paint could be safely removed, although it would require careful cleaning and several hours of work.
Thankfully, the finish underneath appeared undamaged.
Amanda arranged to pay the final bill directly.
Two days later, she called to tell me the detailing shop had finished cleaning my car.
When I arrived at her house to pick up the keys, Lily was waiting by the front door with a folded piece of paper.
“Aunt Jessica, I made you another birthday present.”
I smiled.
“Oh, really?”
She hesitated.
“Can I give it to you?”
“Of course.”
She unfolded the paper.
There were flowers, hearts, three smiling stick figures, and a little blue car.
Under it, she’d written, “I LOVE YOU AUNT JESSICA.”
“It’s beautiful,” I told her.
“Do you want to keep it?”
