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“Yes, it is.”
“But you’re not going to report it.”
I’ll admit I was irritated. He wouldn’t go tell his superiors that a backstabber was putting other soldiers in danger… but he’d warn the frail, defenseless little girl that she was in over her head.
“If I go to Command, they’ll ask for proof,” he explained. “I don’t have any. Then they’ll bring in the guy who told me. He’ll deny he said anything. And even if he doesn’t deny it, he doesn’t have any proof, either. And if it gets back to Delgado, then we’re both on his shit list.”
His logic was sound – but there was a hint of condescension in his voice, like I should have figured all that out on my own.
Little did he know, I already had – long before he opened his mouth.
I just wanted to see how well he would communicate his thoughts.
Not as well as I would have liked.
The more generous part of me whispered, You DO realize English isn’t his native language, right? He might be fluent, but maybe he’s not the world’s greatest expert in the intricacies of tone.
However, the irritated part of me? The one that had dealt with dozens of other chauvinist pigs over the years?
That part won out.
“So… you decided to spread a little gossip instead,” I said.
Henriksson’s demeanor immediately cooled off several degrees. “I was just trying to help.”
OHHHHHH – you were just trying to HELP.
NOW I see.
My bad.
“Like Delgado was ‘trying to help’ by suggesting I stand down?”
He seemed to take real offense to that.
“I came to you in private,” he said coldly.
“I guess I should thank you for trying to undermine me in private, then, instead of in public.”
Now he looked downright irritated. “I’m not trying to undermine you – I’m trying to warn you. You just publicly humiliated a man known for stabbing other people in the back – ”
“I can handle Delgado, Henriksson,” I said brusquely. “But thank you for your input.”
Then I handled him the way I handled every other man who thought I didn’t belong in the room:
I turned away and ignored him.
That was when he showed his true colors.
“How much combat have you seen?” he asked in a snotty voice.
I have to admit, that got my hackles up.
“Oh, so now you’re questioning my credentials?” I snapped. “You’re right, you’re not like Delgado at all.”
He glowered at me. “I’m wondering if you know how important it is to thoroughly trust the men you go into battle with.”
The MEN you go into battle with.
