I work as a waitress at a local diner, and let me tell you, I’ve seen it all. From first dates gone horribly wrong to families celebrating milestones, my tables have been front-row seats to the theater of life. Among the many faces that grace our booths and tables, Jack and Lora stood out. They were regulars, coming in at least twice a week. In the beginning, they seemed like the perfect couple, sharing smiles and whispers over steaming cups of coffee. Jack was always charming, with a quick joke and a disarming grin, while Lora was the quiet, sweet counterpart, her eyes reflecting a gentle warmth. They were the couple that everyone secretly rooted for, a beacon of normalcy in the chaos of the restaurant. But as the months passed, a subtle shift occurred. The smiles became less frequent, the whispers more strained. Jack’s jokes seemed to lose their humor, replaced by a certain edginess. And Lora’s eyes, once so bright, now carried a hint of weariness. It was around this time that I noticed a disturbing pattern emerging. Whenever the bill arrived, Jack would suddenly develop a pressing need to use the restroom, leaving Lora to quietly foot the bill. At first, it was just a few dollars here and there, spare change that I’m sure Lora barely even batted an eye at. However, as time passed, the amounts began to grow. It became increasingly clear that Jack was taking advantage of her, subtly shifting the financial burden onto her shoulders.
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I found myself growing increasingly uncomfortable with the situation. Lora was such a kind and gentle soul, always polite and appreciative. She deserved better than to be used as Jack’s personal ATM. I wrestled with myself, wondering if I should say something, but I was unsure if it was my place to interfere. After all, who was I to meddle in their relationship? But the waitress in me, the one who had seen too much, just couldn’t bite my tongue anymore.
Then came the night that pushed me over the edge. Jack swaggered in with a group of eight of his friends, all loud and boisterous. He made a grand announcement that it was “his treat” for the evening. Lora arrived later, looking pale and drawn. She slid into the booth beside him, her eyes conveying a mixture of resignation and something else…something I couldn’t quite decipher. As the evening progressed, the atmosphere grew increasingly raucous. Jack and his friends were laughing and shouting, oblivious to the other diners around them. I tried to avoid their table, but as a waitress, it was my job to ensure their needs were met. While clearing some plates, I overheard Lora whisper into her phone that she had gotten a raise, making **25% more** at her job. She was happy, but I could see the stress in her eyes.
When it came time for the bill, the total was over $800. As I placed the bill on the table, Jack, without even glancing at it, slid it directly towards Lora. My blood started to boil. I watched as Lora’s face crumpled, her eyes welling up with tears. She glanced at me, a silent plea in her gaze. I knew I couldn’t stand by and watch her be taken advantage of any longer. I walked over to their table, took a deep breath, and put on my most polite smile. “Excuse me, sir,” I said, addressing Jack. “I believe there’s been a slight mistake with your bill.”
Jack, mid-sentence with one of his buddies, turned to me with a confused look. “What do you mean?” he asked, his brow furrowed. I took the bill from Lora and pointed to a section at the bottom. “I noticed that you were here earlier today for lunch,” I said, improvising as I went along. “I think your lunch bill got accidentally added to this one.” Jack’s eyes widened. “Oh, yeah! That’s right! I forgot about that.” He turned to Lora, a sheepish grin on his face. “Sorry, babe! Must’ve slipped my mind.” I could see Lora’s eyes shining with relief. She quickly calculated the amount and handed me the appropriate payment. As I walked away, I overheard her quietly thanking me under her breath.
After that night, Jack and Lora stopped coming to the diner. I never saw them again. I don’t know what happened between them, but I hope that Lora finally realized her worth and found someone who truly appreciated her. As for me, I continued to work as a waitress, always keeping a watchful eye on my tables, ready to intervene whenever I see someone being taken advantage of. Because sometimes, all it takes is one person to stand up and say, “Enough is enough.” And because sometimes, being a waitress is so much more than just serving food.
