She listened without interrupting.
“What matters now is what you do with the lesson. You can decide that everyone was against you, that I was cruel, and that the whole world is unfair. Or you can remember that you were given several chances to show consideration for another person, and you chose not to take them.”
I paused.
“Next time, choose differently.”
Brittany nodded.
“I want to.”
“Then start with something small. Put your phone away when someone is speaking to you. Say thank you when someone helps you. Apologize when you hurt someone. And remember that nobody owes you attention simply because you want it.”
She smiled faintly.
“My grandmother would have loved you.”
“I suspect she would have corrected me about the slime.”
That made Brittany laugh.
A few minutes later, she reached into her handbag and took out her phone.
She held it for a moment, then put it away again.
