“Hello?”

“Hello, sir.”

“Hey, bud. What’s up?”

“Nothing. So, tell me if this shit happens to you.”

“Go ahead.”

“Do you ever have these things that you deal with only because you can’t let it go?”

“Are you talking about, like, trying something new? Or having an awkward conversation with someone?”

“No, no, no. I’m talking about things that are much more petty. Like, things that you don’t actually have to deal with, but that you can’t let go.”

“I assume you have an example?”

“I sure do. So, we had to get our oven repaired last week. It’s this nice, professional style oven that cost a ton. We’ve had it six years and this was the second time we’ve had to have this part fixed.”

“That’s not a good track record.”

“No, it isn’t. It’s like owning a luxury sports car that is much less reliable than a standard sedan and is incredibly expense to repair.”

“That sounds fun.”

“Doesn’t it? Anyway, the guy comes from the store and says he thinks he knows what the problem is. He takes off a panel, finds the piece, and replaces it. Thing’s good as new in about 15 minutes.”

“Problem solve.”

“Correct, but then he gives me the bill. This service cost $385.”

“Jesus.”

“Exactly. Three-hundred and eighty-five dollars for the 15 minutes he was there.”

“Was that just a straight service charge?”

“No, there was a part fee, a trip fee, and professional services fee.”

“Damn. Well, I guess you won’t call them again.”

“No, I won’t. But, here’s the thing. I pay it because this guy is in my house and it’s not like he’s the one setting the prices. But, it eats at me all day. Like, not necessarily the money, but the fact that I feel taken advantage of.”

“I hear you. I would too.”

“So, the next day, I call the place. I speak to someone and he gives me the company line about the cost of things. Ultimately, there’s nothing he can do so he says he’ll have the manager call me.”

“Did he ever call?”

“No.”

“How long has it been?”

“Three days.”

“Huh.”

“Yeah, so, like, each day I have it on my to-do list so I don’t forget about it. But now, as each day passes, not only am I mad about the bill, I’m mad that he hasn’t called me back.”

“Yeah, I get that. But, suppose he does call. What do you expect out of this?”

“That’s the thing, I don’t know. Maybe some money back.”

“Like $50?”

“Maybe. Who knows? But now, I’ve carried this burden all week to rectify the injustice I feel over the bill, plus my own demand for the respect of a returned call.”

“I can tell this bothers you.”

“Hell yeah it bothers me. It bothers me that I’m having to keep this in my head and that I can’t just forget about it. I don’t even really care anymore but I have to keep remembering to deal with it.”
“I know what you mean. I get that way with my cable bill. Like, when it just increases $30 one month for no real reason. Then, the burden is on you to spend 30 minutes on the phone bitching about it.”

“Exactly. When in reality that $30 isn’t worth the actual time you’ll have to spend on it. That’s what I’m dealing with.”

“You know, you could just let it go. Literally. Just forget about it. You paid the bill. The oven is fixed. You won’t call that store again. It can all be over in your world if you decide to just let it go right now at this very moment.”

“I know. But, it’s not that simple. I wish I could. I wish I could just not care. I think that’s what most people would do. But, I can’t. I can’t feel cheated or victimized.”

“No, I get it. It’s like you feel like a lesser man if you allow this to go uncontested.”

“Precisely. I will feel like a weak individual if I let them charge me this money without explanation or if I let this guy just not return my call. Even when I know the end result is probably nothing, I will at least be able to experience closure on my end.”

“So you’re seeking closure for the event of having your oven repaired?”

“Yes, but when you put it that way that it sounds like I’m being dramatic.”

“Well…But, really, I hear you. And, you know that is their strategy. They know most people will let this shit go and so they get away with it. Then, for the few people who protest or speak up, they just ignore you or give you the run around knowing you’ll probably give it up.”

“That’s it. It’s a test of wills. Mine versus this store manager. And, I won’t let this go. I won’t be pushed around. I can’t let this stand.”

“That’s the spirit. If you give ‘em an inch, they’ll take a mile.”

“It has to end somewhere.”

“Keep up the fight, brother.”

“I shall.”