I met a woman in town. We bonded. She was an urban sophisticate. Not a sophisticate, I am urban. We met several times for lunch.
Knowing that my SO is of a certain ethnicity, she made several subtly disparaging comments about the group. I cringed, but stayed, doubting I had understood correctly. I told her of a bid I made to buy a house. I had played there as a small child and old Mrs. Alcorn had treated me with kindness (there had been for me, not much kindness in those times...but that I did not share.)
When next we met she told me she was bidding on the same property. I finished the last few bites of lunch. I said nothing.
She emailed a couple of days later canceling our date for an all day bridge lesson in a large city nearby.
What did I want to do? she asked.
Cancel, I replied. Just that.
How did I want to get the refunded money? Make a date for lunch? Stop by her house? She could send me the money.
Don't worry about it, I wrote back.
"I get it" she replied. I'll donate the money.
"She's trying to insult you," said my SO.
Feeling insulted but not knowing why, I wrote back. Don't worry. You don't have to donate the money. Thanks for letting me know.
Again she wrote back.
Some nonsense.
I let go.
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