Empathy Gap

Friday night, 9:14 p.m. You're on the couch, mid-movie, when your phone rings. The screen reads 'Sumin.' As soon as you pick up, you can hear her crying. 'I… got fired.' You stand and walk to the kitchen, listening. She sobs out the story — sudden notice, packed her desk, doesn't know how to tell her parents. But — you already know. A close coworker has told you Sumin has been late constantly for six months, missed deadlines, received two formal warnings. From the company's side, it had become unavoidable. Then she asks: 'What did I do wrong? It came out of nowhere.' Two answers form in your mouth at once — the soothing 'You did nothing wrong,' and the honest 'Actually…' Her crying continues on the other end of the line.