I remember that cold day in October three years ago as I walked down the endless rows of new and used cars. I was oblivious to the sounds of the congested afternoon traffic around me. All that was on my mind was anticipation, a little hope, and a checkbook in my pocket that seemed to weigh so heavy despite the lack of funds it represented. It was only a matter of time before one of the salesmen would notice me wandering aimlessly through the car lot and eagerly approach me. In the meantime I continued to inspect each car carefully. I felt like a child in a toy store who wanted the most expensive toy but only had a handful of change. I was lost in the moment when I heard, "Can I help you with something?"
             I had been waiting to hear those words for what seemed like an eternity and now I could finally get down to business. As we shook hands the salesman introduced himself as David Burke. He was a stocky guy with a firm handshake. There was no sign of desperation in his eyes which was a relief. Remembering what my dad told me I substituted his face with a vision of someone I hated most, but his smile that went from ear to ear seemed to swallow and overpower that vision. He asked me what I was interested in and I immediately led him in a beeline across the lot to the car that I desired. I ignored the cries of the cars that I passed along the way and stopped at a white 1996 Acura Integra. He was only briefly intrigued with the car that I had chosen before he asked how much money I was able to use as a down payment. When I told him I only had eleven hundred dollars, I could almost hear the mental laughter that was coming from inside his mind.
             A few minutes later I was sitting in an office sipping on a cup of stale coffee while David and another man were running numbers through a computer. As I sat there and waited my anticipation transformed into nervousness. I visualized myse
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