Then he spotted me two rows behind him.
**“What the hell did you do?!”**
Several passengers turned to watch.
This time, I wasn’t going to apologize.
***
My name is Celeste, and I’ve never been particularly good at confrontation.
For most of my adult life, I worked as a school secretary.
I’d spent years dealing with frustrated parents, impatient teachers, upset students, and difficult telephone conversations.
I’d learned to calm people down with a gentle voice and a little patience.
Unfortunately, I had also developed a habit of sacrificing my own comfort to avoid upsetting anyone else.
My husband, Steven, used to tease me about it.
Once, while we were shopping for groceries, I accidentally bumped into an abandoned shopping cart.
Without thinking, I whispered, “Oh, I’m sorry.”
Steven burst out laughing.
“Sweetheart, I don’t think the cart’s feelings are hurt.”
“Well, I might have startled it.”
