Sorry-Not-Sorry: Holiday Special

(I am in a huge electronic store. It’s before a holiday and myself and five people are patiently waiting for help from the sales rep. A woman walks up with a smarmy smile on her face.)

Woman: “Oh, my husband is waiting for me in the parking lot. I’m sure you won’t mind if I go ahead… I need just one item.”

(We reluctantly let her go ahead. She gets the item from the rep and thanks us all with the same false smile. She passes me on the way to the check-out lines.)

Woman: *still smiling* “I’m really sorry.”

Me: *in a low voice only she can hear* “No, you’re not!”

(I turned away at that moment but my mother, who was standing behind me and hadn’t heard what I said, saw the woman turn white.)