Update:

OK, I lucked out. It ended up just needing a cable replaced. I was sure I heard and felt a crunch in that shifter and thought it was damaged. But they checked it all out and it was fine. Yes!

NY, you are right that it is his problem but it is also partly mine because I let these type of people intimidate me and then go into a shell. I am trying hard to stop shutting down when I am in situations I am not confident in. I want to be able to ask questions and learn about things but I can't with people like him. I did get a new mechanic, my husband!