Page 132 of My Boss

Myth #2:AS has no feelings.

Bullshit! He has, and they can be intense. He can be sensitive, gentle, compassionate, and passionate, just in his own way. Unfortunately, there are times when emotion loses out to logic. The latter is unquestionably Jan’s favorite.

Example:

“Wait.” I mute the sound of the TV, where the news is currently running, and turn shocked toward Jan. “You mean to say that you’re not moved by the fact that this fucking bomber got out of a truck that was a moving bomb, grabbed a random child in the square, then blew himself up with him?”

“Thanks to the fact that he got out of the truck and grabbed the child, the boy’s father was able to notify the police, who ordered the immediate evacuation of the square. As a result, only two people lost their lives, not two hundred.”

Empathy vs logic 0:1.

Myth #3:AS is sometimes boorish.

No. He is just a great observer, honest to the bone. He says what he thinks, and unfortunately, neurotypical people have trouble accepting the bitter truth.

Example:

“Jan, how about this one?” I look at myself in the mirror in the store’s dressing room.

The dress is in our national colors because it’s for a volleyball match that we plan to watch on TV with friends. It’s wide at the hips and shoulders, a fitting style, supposedly very fashionable now.

Jan squints.

“You look like a van of the Polish Post Office courier. Let’s get out of here. This bright light is killing me.”

Asshole!

Myth #4:AS is selfish.

I would rather call it a focus on the activities being performed, which totally distracts him from reality.

Example:

“Jan, we are leaving in ten minutes. The party starts at eight.”

“No.”

“What do you mean?”

“I have other plans.” He glances at his watch.

“But we made arrangements. We have been preparing this New Year’s Eve with Toska for a month.”

“And I had been planning it for six months.”

“But what? This is some damn excuse not to go to the party? I told you that everyone will have their Bluetooth headphones, so the music won’t bother you. The lights will be subdued. They’re supposed to serve roasted potatoes and pickles separately, and the tenderloins will be well done. Just the way you like them. Everything for you, and you say you’re not going. I have already ordered a cab.”

“Then cancel it.” He adjusts his tie in the mirror and glances at his watch again.

I’m about to start howling, feeling totally helpless. My guy is so damn selfish!

Take it easy, just take it easy.

“But why?” I try to speak in a composed voice. “You are ready, and so am I. What is so important now that we can’t go to New Year’s Eve?”

He turns toward me. He is focused, tense. Once again, he adjusts his tie. Shit, why is he so pale?

“What’s going on?” I ask, and then he gets down on one knee in front of me, pulls out a black box from his pants pocket and opens it.

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