As Michael Hartwell approached, I felt a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me—fear, anxiety, and a strange sense of resolve. I had acted impulsively, but I couldn’t bring myself to regret it. The elderly man standing beside me deserved respect and assistance, regardless of his inability to verbally communicate.
Margaret reached us first, her eyes flickering between the elderly man and me. “Catherine, what is going on here?” she demanded, her tone sharp and clipped. I glanced at Mr. Hartwell and offered a polite, if somewhat nervous, smile. Before I could answer, Michael Hartwell arrived.
He was a tall, imposing figure, with an air of authority that seemed to make the very air crackle with tension. He glanced first at his father, then at me, before finally addressing Margaret. “I’d like to handle this, Margaret,” he said, his voice calm but firm.
Margaret looked taken aback, her prepared reprimand hanging in the air unspoken. She nodded, stepping back reluctantly. I turned my full attention to Mr. Hartwell, hardly daring to breathe.
For a moment, he said nothing, his eyes studying me intently. Then, a smile—a genuine, warm smile—spread across his face. “Thank you for helping my father,” he said, his voice surprisingly gentle. “I’m sorry for any trouble this may have caused you.”
I blinked, processing his words. The CEO of the company was thanking me. “I’m just glad I could help,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. I glanced at Mr. Hartwell’s father, who was watching the exchange with a proud, grateful expression.
Michael turned to his father and signed fluently, “I’m sorry for the mix-up. I should have been here sooner.” The older man waved it off, a smile tugging at his lips.
“I appreciate what Catherine did,” he signed back, nodding at me. “She’s a good one.”
Michael turned back to me. “It’s not often we have staff who can communicate so effectively, especially in sign language. I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like to talk more with you about your experiences here and how we can make our company more inclusive.”
His words left me stunned. Not only was I not getting fired, but the CEO wanted to speak with me about inclusivity. It was more than I had ever hoped for.
“Of course,” I said, finding my voice. “I’d be happy to share any insights I might have.”
With that, Michael Hartwell signaled for his assistant to join us, already discussing plans for a meeting with me. I watched them go, my heart soaring.
That day marked a turning point. Not just because I had a chance to make a difference, but because it reminded me that sometimes, breaking the rules for the right reasons can lead to unexpected and wonderful opportunities. I was no longer just the quiet intern. I was an advocate, a bridge-builder, and, most importantly, a voice for those who needed it the most.
