Our Clients/Our Selves - Mezzo Morning/Mourning Mezzo – Intervene (W)here? (!)

by Gregory Gross, MSW

#1.       I’m sorry

#2.       Sorry?

1.         Yes, Sorry.

2.         Sorry for what?

1.         For what I said.

2.         You’re sorry!!

1.         Yes, for what I said.

2.         You said it!

1.         Yes, I said it and I’m sorry

2.         (silent)

1.         Uh, for what I said.

2.         You should be.

1.         I am.

2.         Well, …

1.         I said I was sorry.

2.         So you said.

1.         Sorry for what I said

2.         You always say that.

1.         Say what?

2.         “Sorry”

1.         I am sorry.

2.         “Sorry,” “Sorry,” “SORRY”

Always “sorry”

1.         You don’t want me to be sorry?

2.         No.

1.         No?

2.         Noooo, I want you sorry.

1.         Well then?

2.         But not saying you’re sorry…

1.         I’m sorry.

2.         There you go again.

1.         Where?

2.         Right there?

1.         Here?

2.         Yes, here…and sorry all over again.

1.         But you said…

2.         Yes…

1.         that you like that.

2.         Yes, I do.

1.         Why?

2.         So I can forgive you.

1.         For saying I’m sorry?

2.         No, for being sorry.

1.         But if I don’t say it, how do you…

2.         (interrupting) Oh, I know!

1.         Forget it.

2.         If I forget it, I can’t forgive it.

1.         But you like forgiving.

2.         If I don’t forgive you…

1.         Yes?

2.         I’ll have to forget you.

(pause)

(pause)

1.         (weakly) Most people can forgive and forget.

2.         Oh, I forgot.

Sorry….

1.         You’re sorry!

Epilogue

2. Well, goodnight, Dear. (pause) Tomorrow is a new day.

1. One can hope.

Gregory Gross, MSW, is a professor of social work at the College of St. Rose, Albany, NY.