Re: In Person: Steve/Sharon
[Sharon finished putting a casserole dish away and turned to face him as well, hip leaning against the counter. Stern didn't bother her, she had worn a similar face more than once, but for now she held off. Her face was calm, her voice even.] I don't think she should have asked you. I think she should have felt confident enough in her abilities to politely inform you what she was going to do, with her request and arguments in hand, and also as a courtesy in case something did go wrong. But she's a grown up, who clearly trusts her own experience and no one wants one mistake - no matter how bad - held against them forever.
That being said, because I don't generally ask a lot of permission myself, I don't think you were wrong in showing concern. Or asking the questions you did. I know you didn't mean to be condescending, but she's had a rough week, actually, [she said with a sad smile] longer than that. And this is something you both feel strongly about. She was offended, and I find when we offend people we owe them an apology even if we didn't mean to offend.