Fate's path is one filled with twists and turns, with winding roads and high hills you have to climb. I should have known that better than anyone else.

Yet, for a moment, I had forgotten the path that took me to this place and time. Had I not lost sight of that, I might not have been as surprised by what occurred that night.

Upon arranging everything to K's specifications, I had decided to remain at Rebecca's apartment to assist if necessary.

From what K communicated, the doctor taking charge was female. Thus, I assumed that K would require my assistance. After all, women are the weaker sex and may not be able to carry out the transfer without male strength.

At nine o'clock promptly, I heard a commotion in front of the apartment and hurried on to open the door. It was in my very nature to be a gentleman, and that was just the extension of that necessity that was at the very core of my being.

As I opened the door, I noted that my assistance would not be required since several male nurses were taking care of the transportation. Stunned as I was that men dared choose such a feminine profession, I still maintained enough reason to move out of their way, standing in the hallway while they wheeled Rebecca in, using a moving bed.

I idly wondered if I would ever manage to grasp all the innovations that this world had to offer when a heavy hand fell on my shoulder.

"Shawn, my man, thank you for everything. You're the man!" K said, louder than necessary.

As I contemplated why he would say I was 'the man' since that fact had been apparent since the moment he met me, the appearance of a new person in the narrow hallway made me stop in my tracks.

For the first time since I can recall, my mind stopped working. It refused obedience, rebelling against me as naughty child rebels against its devoted parents.

The person that was approaching us was Marisol. Therefore, I knew at that moment, that fate was a cruel mistress, and the woman whom I had offended so greatly would be the one to help my friend recover.

"Oh, doctor Ramirez, there you are! I want you to meet my friend, Shawn." K said.

"We've met," Marisol said, entering the apartment without any further acknowledgment of my presence.

As the clicking of her high heeled shoes faded from my ears, entering further into the apartment, I could feel K's intent gaze on me.

"What is it you wish, K? If it is to generate a hole in my head with your stare, you are approaching goal completion." I say utterly annoyed that he would choose that exact moment to be more perceptive than usual.

"Sorry, my man, I am just wondering what you did to anger doctor Rodriguez. She is usually so kind, but right now, she was colder than ice. What did you do? Did you run over her dog or something?" K asked.

"What? Why would I run over her dog? She doesn't even have a dog, and I do not possess a car!" I said exasperated.

"Just an expression, my man, just an expression," K said in a patronizing tone.

I thoroughly disliked when he addressed me in such a manner as if I were a dimwit, yet I chose not to release my anger on him.

"So, what happened between the two of you?" K asked, not willing to stop his interrogation.

"I may have uttered a few statements that have proved offensive to her," I said hesitantly.

"Shawn, I told you that you have to be careful what you say to women here," K said, sounding frustrated.

"My comment did not refer to the fact that she was a female," I said indignantly, annoyed that he would assume that.

"Then what did you say?" he asked.

"Wait a minute, you didn't say anything racist, did you?" K asked, looking at me with disapproval.

"I might have made a few chosen assumptions based on the color of her skin," I admitted.

"Dude, you can't do that. What were you thinking? Haven't you ever heard of political correctness?" he asked.

"As a matter of fact, no, I have not. Where I come from, those would have been valid assumptions based on facts." I said.

"Where is that? The middle ages?" K asked.

As he is not that far off from the truth, I was stunned into silence. I wished not to reveal my true identity, but I also did not desire to be viewed as a hateful monster. Consequently, that left me in a situation from which I saw no release.

"I am sorry, man. I forget how old you are. Your folks were probably racist or something, so they taught you to be the same. I know that you are a good guy, and maybe if you apologize and try to do your best to become better, I am sure doctor Rodrigues will forgive you." K said.

I contemplated the best way to do so, though I was unsure if Marisol could go past my transgression. She appeared angrier than I have ever seen her.

"Marisol seemed furious. I am not certain that any words could make the situation better." I told K.

"Of course, she was mad. You don't know how hard it has been for her or anyone different in any way. It's normal for her to go crazy on you for something like that. Especially since you two seem to be on the first name basis. By the way, how do you know her?" K asked.

"We have encountered each other from time to time, entering or exiting the building. Thus, we have conversed several times though we do not possess a lot in common. We just engaged in polite discourse." I said.

"Whatever the case might be, you need to apologize and accept your punishment," K said.

"Is that the way the world functions now?" I inquired, feeling utterly uncomfortable.

"More or less," K said as he went inside the apartment.

Gathering my courage and preparing myself to wound my pride, I followed him in. After all: "Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie."

K continued to the bedroom where Rebecca was already comfortably transferred, while I proceeded towards the open kitchen door through which I could see Marisol rearranging things.

"Marisol?" I approached her carefully.

"What is it?" she asked harshly.

"I wish to apologize. I proved myself to be an uncultured man, and I beg your forgiveness if my words caused you any distress," I said as humbly as I could.

"No worries," she said dismissively.

Her emotions did not match her words, and I was at a loss as to how to proceed.

"May I be of assistance?" I asked her.

"You know what? Yes, you may. I was planning on making myself a cup of tea, but I feel too tired. Would you mind making me a cup of tea?" she asked.

I was shocked that a woman, and a woman of her stature, would demand such a thing of me.

However, that was when I recalled that she was my equal in every way, perhaps even better than me.

"I would be delighted," I said.

That was the first time I saw her smile, and it surprised me to see that viewing her smile made me feel good.

I wished to experience that emotion many times more.