Kerry curiously asks, "What do you mean Tony? How does she take advantage of me?" Tony says, she prays on your good heart, and she tries to guilt you Ker. She knows you like her, and you like your relationship with her. So, she uses it against you."
Kerry still isn't sure of what he means; so she says, "Give me an example." He nods as he says, "Okay. If she was your friend and she had an issue with us going to Judy, before talking to her. As a friend, why didn't she just call you afterwards, or even call you back when you called her, so you could discuss it?" Kerry sits, thinking about what he's saying, and he sees her in thought.
He gives her a moment to think; but he has to finish his thought. He says, "The reason why she didn't call you babe. Is because she knew that giving you the silent treatment would bother you immensely, and she's right. You're really upset about this, and I bet she doesn't give a damn whatsoever. She's probably busy figuring out how to get revenge on us."
Kerry purses her lips, as she says, "Tony, come on. You don't believe that." He responds, "Yes, I do Kerry. Because it's true. When I hear you talk about this issue with Shonda being handled differently. All I hear is that Shonda is upset that she wasn't in control. She wanted to control the situation, and it pissed her off that we not only took care of it. But, we did it without her being involved. We basically took control, and took matters out of her hands, and she's throwing a fit about it."
Hearing him out; she has to admit he has a point. Shonda had every chance to talk to her before today. But, she never once responded to her via phone, email or text regarding the conversation. All she's received from her is work related information. Knowing she's processing his words, he hopes that she finally puts this to rest, because he's beyond done with it.
Like a flash, she comes out of her thought processing and says, "I can't say you're wrong about her wanting to be in control. I honestly get why she'd be upset. But, like you said she didn't talk to me about it to resolve any concerns like I expected. So, it's like setting the stage for a huge fall out." Tony is smiling inside, because he believes she's finally catching on to what's going on. But his hope is dashed, or at least put on hold when he hears her say. "I think I just need to talk to her; so we can clear the air."
She sees the look of concern return to his face, and she asks, "What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?" He realizes in that moment his face deceived him; so he has to be honest. He sighs as he says, "I think that's a terrible idea Kerry." She asks, "Why? Shouldn't we clear the air? You could come with me, and we could both let everything out so we can start with a clean slate."
Tony feels himself getting upset, and he can't contain it any longer. He says, "First of all, I don't have a damn thing to say to her about this. I gave her my take when we met with her and Judy. So I'm fine if she never talks to me again on a social level. Second, the idea of a clean slate, only works if the other person is open to it, and I'm convinced she's not open to resolving anything. She just wants her way, and I'll be damned if I give it to her just because. Besides, Judy already told us to beware of her; so clearly she's not in the mood to resolve anything. It's not in her nature to do so Kerry. She's proving that to be the case."
Kerry feels her annoyance building, because she feels he's being super negative. She allows her annoyance to influence her words as she says, "Tony, you're not being fair here, and this isn't a pissing match! Why do you insist on fanning the flames on this? Why not talk this out, so we can move forward?" He doesn't want to argue with her on this, but they're here now. So he says, "Ker, I'm not trying to make this a battle of wits with her, and I'm not fanning any flames. I'm just not willing to kiss her ass. So if anything, she's the one being unfair. Not me."
Kerry is both offended and frustrated with him, as she asks, "Oh, so I am kissing her ass. Is that what you're saying?" Tony takes a breath, as she pulls her hand away from him in anger. Frustrated too, and trying to maintain. He puts his hand to his forehead as he says, "Kerry, come on. I didn't say that. Don't put words in my mouth. Just try to understand where I'm coming from here, and don't be so defensive."
Kerry allows her anger to rise, as she urgently asks, "Well, what are you saying? Because that's how it's sounding to me!" He sees the anger in her eyes, and despite him knowing his next sentence is going to upset her even more. He has to say it. He asks, "Tell me this. Why are you going out of your way to appease someone, who doesn't appreciate it Kerry? Do you really think if the shoe was on the other foot; she'd do the same for you? Because that's what this is about. That's what I'm saying to you. She gives no fucks about what you're feeling, or how you're feeling, but you're bending over backwards to accommodate her feelings. So basically, you're in a one sided friendship.
His words sting, and she gets angrier as she says, "You don't know that Tony! You're just saying that because you don't like her." Frustrated too, but not willing to let this go any further left. In a controlled voice he says, "Kerry, here's what I know. You're trying to be reasonable, and I applaud that approach. With a reasonable person your approach would work. But Shonda isn't reasonable. She's a controlling, narcissistic, manipulative individual who gets her rocks off on keeping people on pins and needles for her enjoyment, and it's ridiculous."
Kerry feels like he's piling on, and making this about more than their current issues with Shonda. She feels like he's being unfair, so she continues to defend her, again letting her anger continue to rise as she replies, "Tony stop it! She's not that bad." He shakes his head in annoyance as she responds, "To you she's not that bad Kerry. But I can only speak from what I see. And from where I'm sitting; that's exactly what she looks like to me."
That statement seems to reaffirm for Kerry that still talking it out with Shonda will resolve the issue. So she says, "This is why we need to talk to her, so you can give her a chance to respond to what you're thinking, and we can quash this, so things can go back to how they used to be." Tony hears her plea, but he's done. He defiantly says, "No, I don't want or need to talk to her Kerry. But if you want to talk to her, which I know you do. Go ahead. But, will you do me a favor?" She sighs as she asks, "What?" He says, "Tell me if she blames you for allegedly ambushing her, to play on your guilt, and if she follows that up with challenging your thinking."