“My mother built her
life around feeding people. I let someone remove her donation jar and mistreat the customers she would have welcomed.”
Luis remained silent.
Then Amber appeared at the kitchen entrance.
She had returned for something she’d forgotten.
“Amber,” I said, “would you sit with us?”
She hesitated before pulling up another crate.
The three of us sat quietly.
“I want to thank you,” I told her.
“For what?”
“For treating someone with kindness when you thought he had nothing.”
She shook her head.
“I didn’t know you owned the place.”
“I know. That’s why your kindness meant so much.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
I asked whether she’d ever noticed suspicious activity at the hostess counter.
She admitted she’d once questioned Madison about an unusual device, but had been told it was backup equipment.
Shortly afterward, Kyle began criticizing her for offering complimentary coffee or helping customers.
