I’m Sorry

“Sorry” sounds like an apology, but often isn’t one. Take, for example, the case of Dafna’s complaint to her husband Mendy:

Dafna, in a tearful voice: “…and I specifically told you how important it was that you be on time for this. We kept everyone waiting, and my parents were so upset. I knew this would happen because you just never listen and you never care. I was so humiliated…”

Mendy, mumbling, sounding irritated: “I said ‘sorry’ already. What do you want from me?”

Mendy is confused. What else can he do after he messed up? What’s done is done. He has an issue with time, and Dafna knows it. His lateness isn’t personal; he was late for his own flight just last week. Time management is something his brain doesn’t comprehend. What’s he supposed to do — get a brain transplant?