I took it for years. I let a coworker present my spreadsheet as his own. I said 'no worries' to the friend who canceled at 6:52 for a 7:00 dinner. I wrote the honest reply, deleted it, and sent the gracious one with a smiley face. Being gracious pays nothing, and the reward is a standing invitation to do it again at Thanksgiving. So that route is shut until further notice. No detour is posted, no reopening date is set, and a sincere apology does not reroute traffic. A funny sarcastic shirt for anyone done being the bigger person, worn calmly to the next family dinner where somebody brings up the wedding toast.

THE FINE PRINT

THE HIGH ROAD arched over a round badge, IS CLOSED curved under it, in heavy distressed varsity capitals. Inside the ring a winding road climbs between mountain peaks and pine trees, its dashed center line in golden yellow, and a red and yellow striped barricade on two posts blocks it at the front.