It was a rainy evening when Jack’s “boys’ night out” racked up a bill of over $800. He expected Lora, his wife, to foot the entire thing. As waitress Melanie watched from the sidelines, she couldn’t bear to see Lora in such distress, so she came up with a daring plan to make sure Jack didn’t get away with it this time.
I’ve been working as a waitress at one of the fanciest restaurants downtown for ten years now. In all that time, I’ve seen all sorts of people—nervous couples on their first dates, families celebrating birthdays with tiny, sticky-fingered children, and the occasional business lunch that felt more like a courtroom trial than a casual meal. But I had never seen anything quite like the couple I was about to serve that night.
Jack and Lora had been regulars at the restaurant for years. They were the kind of couple you’d smile at, always sharing the bill with smiles, ordering the same decadent chocolate cake for dessert every week, and sneaking glances at each other, still in that honeymoon phase.
But recently, something had changed. The smiles were gone. There was a silence between them that felt heavy, like something was off. For the past few months, it was always Lora who had to pay at the end of the night.
Jack, on the other hand, seemed to be throwing his money around with no care in the world. Every time they came in, he’d order the most expensive cuts of meat, the finest bottles of wine, and dessert after dessert, while Lora quietly swiped her card.
But this night? It was different.
Jack arrived with a group of eight loud, rowdy friends, strutting through the door like he owned the place. He announced proudly, “It’s on me, guys, my treat!” They ordered enough food to feed an army, while Lora wasn’t even with them yet. I watched, feeling a knot in my stomach. Lora was always there, sharing in the laughter and meals, but tonight, she was nowhere in sight.
Just as I was about to check if she was coming, Lora finally walked in. She looked like she’d been running a marathon—her face pale and exhausted, eyes red from crying. She stumbled slightly as she approached the group, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.
Jack didn’t even acknowledge her when she sat down. He was too busy barking orders at me to refill drinks and clear plates.
I was clearing a table nearby when I overheard part of their conversation, and it made my blood run cold.
“I won’t pay this time, Jack,” Lora’s voice trembled. “I’m serious. I just can’t do it anymore.”
Jack laughed it off, a chuckle that made my stomach turn. “Sure, babe. Don’t worry your pretty little head about it. I’ve got it covered. Just relax and enjoy yourself.”
But when the bill arrived, it was a different story. The total was $800, and Jack shoved it into Lora’s hand without a second thought.
I watched as her face drained of color, tears welling up in her eyes, and it felt like a cruel joke. Jack didn’t seem to notice or care. Lora stood up quickly and excused herself, running to the restroom. I followed her, worried. As I reached the door, I heard muffled cries.
“So now I’m making 25% more than him, and I have to pay for all his friends? This is ridiculous!” Lora was crying into her phone. “How can he keep doing this to me? How is this fair?”
It wasn’t just about the money. It was about control. Jack had been treating her like an ATM, expecting her to pay for everything while he had all the fun. My heart ached for her.
Taking a deep breath, I walked over to Lora as she emerged from the restroom, her face blotchy and red from crying. I could see how much this was weighing on her, and I knew I had to do something.
“Lora,” I said softly, “Are you alright? Is there anything I can do to help?”
She wiped her eyes and shook her head. “I can’t afford this, Melanie. I just can’t keep doing this.” Her voice broke, and my heart hurt for her.
Suddenly, a plan started to form in my mind. It was risky, but I knew it might be the only way out for Lora.
“Listen,” I whispered, “Here’s what we’re going to do. When I come back to the table, pretend you’ve gotten an urgent call and leave. Don’t worry about the bill—I’ll handle it.”
Lora blinked, confused for a moment. But then, something shifted in her expression. Hope. She looked at me with a mixture of disbelief and relief.
“Are you sure?” she asked in a hushed voice. “What about your job?”
I gave her a reassuring smile, squeezing her hand. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll figure it out. Just trust me.”
She hesitated, but after a moment, she nodded. She pulled out her phone and started typing.
I backed away, my heart pounding in my chest. I couldn’t believe I was doing this, but I knew it was the right thing. The next few minutes felt like an eternity. I forced myself to smile and approach their table.
Jack and his friends were still talking, completely oblivious. I cleared my throat and spoke up loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Excuse me, sir,” I said, trying to sound polite but firm. “The manager informed me that there’s been a double booking for your table. We have another large party coming in, and they specifically requested this booth.”
Jack puffed his chest out like a rooster. “What double booking? We made our reservation for nine people. We’re fine here.”
I continued, my voice smooth. “I’m afraid we can’t accommodate you at this table any longer. The reservation was made under a different name.”
Jack’s face went pale, his bravado slipping. His friends shifted uncomfortably, sensing something was off.
“Can’t we just move to another table?” Jack asked, desperation creeping into his voice.
“We’re completely booked tonight, sir,” I said with exaggerated sympathy. “I can pack your food to go, or perhaps, you and your friends could head to the bar down the street? They have plenty of space for big groups.”
Jack’s face turned crimson. He knew that bar. It was a dive, known for its greasy food and cheap beer—not the kind of place he wanted his friends to see him in.
Just then, Lora stood up abruptly, her phone pressed to her ear. “Oh my gosh! I totally forgot—I have an urgent client meeting! I have to leave now!” Her voice was filled with fake panic.
With a quick “thank you” to me and a pointed look at Jack, Lora grabbed her purse and hurried out, leaving Jack and his group in stunned silence.
One by one, the friends started making excuses and leaving, abandoning Jack as if he were a sinking ship.
Now alone, Jack looked around wildly, realizing he had been left to deal with his mess. He turned to me, his face a mix of panic and anger.
“But… but the bill!” he stammered, his voice high-pitched.
I shrugged innocently. “You’re responsible for the bill, sir. It’s for the entire party.”
Jack’s face went through a full spectrum of emotions, from red to purple. He demanded to speak to the manager, but I told him that the manager was busy.
Eventually, Jack swiped his card, begrudgingly paying the hefty bill, the night’s fun and games dissolving into bitterness. I couldn’t help but smile to myself.
The next day, as the lunch rush started, Lora walked into the restaurant. She looked around until her eyes met mine. She made a beeline straight for my station, a smile on her face.
“Melanie!” she said warmly. “I just wanted to thank you again for everything. You saved me more than just money. You saved me from…”
“From being bullied,” I finished for her gently.
Lora nodded, her eyes filling with tears again. She reached into her purse and pulled out a crisp $100 bill.
“Here,” she said, pushing the money towards me. “This is for you—for your trouble.”
I hesitated. I hadn’t done it for the money, but seeing the genuine gratitude in her eyes, I couldn’t refuse. “Thank you, Lora,” I said, accepting the bill with a smile. “But honestly, seeing the look on Jack’s face was reward enough!”
We both laughed, the tension from the previous night lifting.
“So, what are you going to do with the money you saved?” I asked, a teasing glint in my eye.
Lora’s face lit up. “I was thinking of treating myself to a spa day. Maybe even a massage.”
We both burst out laughing, the weight of everything from the night before gone.
As I cleaned up, I thought about Lora, and all the people like her who might be stuck in similar situations. Maybe, I thought, my little act of rebellion would inspire others to stand up for themselves. Sometimes, the best thing we can offer isn’t on the menu. Sometimes, it’s just a little kindness, a dash of courage, and a whole lot of support.
