Mara's three o'clock deadline gave me less than two hours to choose between promotion evidence and Thea's first protected evening. My calendar showed no empty place large enough to hold both commitments without another person moving.
I called Thea first because the newly threatened Thursday promise belonged directly toward her. She answered from the illustration supply room, where carts plus distant conversation made privacy limited but sufficient for scheduling.
"Work changed Thursday," I said, explaining the coordinator withdrawal, hours, plus promotion consequence before proposing anything.
"Are you cancelling?" she asked, keeping the decision separate from my explanation.
"I want to ask whether our date can move toward Saturday," I replied, presenting the easiest available solution.
Thea remained silent for several seconds before checking whether Saturday already contained relationship time. I admitted Nina and I had protected Sunday, while Saturday stayed technically open.
