by Gloria Jones

Created on: May 30, 2009

Myra was putting on her makeup and getting ready for their guests to arrive. Her husband, Robert had invited his boss and his wife for dinner. It was a special occasion as Robert was hoping to better his career and had asked for a higher position at his work place. He was number two on the list of potential employees for the new job. This was a great oportunity to make a good impression on his boss. Robert was excited but worried as this would be the first time Myra had met the Owens. The Owens were not aware that Myra was of African American descent, Robert being of caucasion descent as the Owens' were, and that Robert and Myra had two children just reaching their teen years.

Mr. and Mrs. Owens arrived right on time and the greetings went well although Myra was slightly surprised, the Owens were not at all as she expected. They were middle aged, mid forties and no children. This was not as she had pictured them. Myra had a mental picture of a sweet, elderly couple with grandchildren. Bringing pictures of their children and grandchildren to display and praise. None of this being the case, just the opposite.

The Owens had no idea that Myra was African American and this took them off gaurd to an extent. Being a couple from the old south so to speak, they had not fully accepted the aspect of interracial marriage. The couple were supercilious, showing a condescending manor towards Myra.

They were all close in age but the manorisms was held in place. They Owens' did not insist that they use given names on this occassion although Robert had heard from co-workers how the Owens were insistant on first names when visiting the homes of employees.

As the children were brought up in the conversations, Mrs Owens made her feelings clear that she and Mr. Owens preferred their life without the complications of children as they are so unruly and could stop an advancing carreer from going farther. There was nothing worse than being tied down by children.

As the evening went on, Myra was feeling more and more left out of the conversations and feeling a bit insulted. Small remarks were made from the Owens, such as "I'm sure you've had a diffucult life Myra" and once making a statment, "Myra, we're sure you didn't go to college, maybe we can help you to step up the ladder a little." Myra was a college graduate and held a high priority job at the office of the Internal Revenue Service.

This was it, the last straw. Robert rose with a smile and looked his boss straight in the eye. "Mr Owens, it's been nice working for you but tonight I've lost all respect for you as you have displayed nothing more than disrespect for my wife and myself in our home. I've had another offer working beside my beautiful wife and I was unsure of what to do but tonight you gave me insight as to what will be best and right for me and my family. Mr Owens I thought I'd never say these words to anyone but you can take your job and shove it. Please leave my home now."

Myra was so proud of Robert and today they are retired and living a wonderful senior life in a most highly rated resort area. I would say that Robert made the right decision.

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