Sucking It Up

So here is my most recent dilemma.

A couple of years ago, I was "wronged".  A person who I barely knew, made what I consider an professionally unethical move which adversely affected myself and my family.  No it was not life threatening but it was insulting, slanderous and caused me a great deal of emotional pain.

Of course, I fought back.  I was like a caged wild animal.  My fought involved going to her superior to ask for her resignation.  That superior agreed that what she had done was wrong, however he felt that any emotional toil I experienced would "blow over" and stated that she was a very difficult person to deal with but she was good at her job.  I did not continue this losing battle, simply decided that I (and my family) would avoid her at all costs and I  continue to personally despise her very existence.

That stance had been working fine.  Although she is friends with one of my friends, I have been able to ignore her at social events, refrain from beating her senseless when our paths do cross and keep her away from my family.  Here is where is gets sad.

She is now in a position in which I need to "work" with her.  I have no faith or trust in anything she does, regardless of her skill set but I have no choice in the matter.  So today I had to write an email to this  person requesting necessary information from her.  I am stuck with her for the next 4 years and will need to converse regarding this "project" with her during that time frame.  Basically she is in a position that is essential to this "project".  If I do not, I will be hurting someone I love dearly.

Now what?  I did not start this, I tried to take the high road by avoiding her and now I am screwed. This entire situation makes me nauseous and will continue to.  I am trying to be the bigger person by feigning respect for her "skill set".  I need her at this point and again it makes me sick.

So here I sit full of bile while I write straightforward emails and "beg" for her help.  Not sure how I could have done this better.  Sometimes you just feel like a punching bag.