gently.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Come with me.”
Madison immediately objected.
“Amber, those tables are reserved.”
“Which one?” Amber asked. “Can you show me the reservation?”
Madison said nothing.
Amber guided me to a small table beside the front window.
“Would you like some soup?”
“Please.”
“Our chicken and dumplings are wonderful. It’s the owner’s mother’s recipe.”
I almost smiled.
“I’d like that.”
A few minutes later, Amber returned with a steaming bowl of soup, warm bread, coffee, and ice water.
She arranged everything neatly in front of me.
The same way she would serve any valued customer.
I stared at the soup.
Mom’s recipe.
Luis was still making it perfectly.
I lifted the spoon with trembling fingers.
After eating half the bowl, I placed my four dollars on the table.
Amber noticed.
“Keep your money,” she said.
“I can pay.”
