Can't Blame the Other Person

The bar counter. Aya has a beer, Mina has oolong tea.

Mina “A patient got angry at me today.”

Aya “What happened?”

Mina “The IV needle didn't go in on the first try.”

Aya “Oh.”

Mina “So I apologized, and they said, "Are you new at this?"”

Aya “Ouch.”

Mina “I'm not new. But this person has tiny veins. I can't exactly say that.”

Aya “Yeah, you really can't.”

Mina “Jobs where you can't blame the other person — they wear you down sometimes.”

Aya “I get that. Design is the same.”

Mina “How so?”

Aya “When a client can't put their vision into words, and everything you show them is "not quite right." But you can't say, "Your brief was vague."”

Mina “Same thing.”

Aya “Exactly the same.”

Both of them hold their glasses and go quiet for a moment. A tenor low in the background.

Mina “…But the second try went in fine.”

Aya “Yeah.”

Mina “And then they said thank you. In this tiny voice.”

Aya “That's a good story.”

Mina “Is it?”

Aya “Yeah. Another round?”

Mina “Oolong tea.”