Episode 1013: Shame

He glared at her.

Adria set the platter on the low coffee table. She sat on the edge of the sofa leaving him plenty of personal space. She took a deep breath. Apologies, eating crow, teamwork, these things were all contrary to the mindset she’d been raised on. “I’m sorry for overreacting.”

“You’re sorry for firing me right before the holidays because I had the audacity to do the job you hired me to do.”

“Yes, that.” Adria chewed on her lip. “I’m sorry I overreacted to you doing your job. It can’t feel great to be fired, I’m sure, and I probably ruined your Christmas.”

“No probably. You did ruin my Christmas. You definitely ruined my Christmas. I was miserable to be around.”

“You’re such a party now,” Adria muttered.

“I think I should go.” Javier stood. “David told me to come see what you wanted to talk about and I told him it would just be another study in aggravation. I was right. So far you’ve barely apologized and now you’re insulting me under your breath.”

“I am sorry,” she insisted. “About the insult and firing you and wrecking Christmas and being a nightmare to work with sometimes. You’re good at your job, necessary for this theater to be viable, to stop my creative impulses from putting this place so deep in debt that there’s no climbing out of it. I promise if you come back, I’ll be better about compromising.”

“You mean you’ll take two breaths before firing me next time, not just one?”

“I really am sorry,” Adria said. “I’m embarrassed I behaved that way. No. I’m more than embarrassed. I’m ashamed I did that to you.”

As tears formed in Adria’s eyes, Javier re-took his seat.

“That was so much like something my dad would do to an employee, and that’s not the person I want to be.” She swiped at her eyes. “Will you please give me the chance to do better? I can’t promise I won’t test your patience, I’ll never be a yes woman, but I’ll try hard not to be a tyrant.”

Episode 1014: Rollercoaster