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“I’ll… I’ll be right back.”
As soon as he walked away, Leo let out a soft laugh.
“What?”
I asked.
“Nothing.”
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His grin said otherwise.
I leaned closer.
“Knock it off.”
“I didn’t even do anything.”
I held his eyes for another second before letting it go.
Maybe that would be enough.
It wasn’t.
A few minutes later, Sam returned with our drinks.
He carefully placed each glass exactly where it belonged. Then he opened his small notebook.
“Today’s special is…”
He looked down to read.
“…our grilled sir…”
He paused.
“…sirloin.”
He gave a small, self-conscious smile.
“Sorry. I still get stuck on that word.”
“It’s okay,” I said warmly. “You did just fine.”
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Before Sam could continue, I heard it.
A snort.
Leo covered his mouth.
His shoulders shook.
My heart dropped.
I kicked him lightly beneath the table.
Hard enough to get his attention.
He looked at me.
Rolled his eyes.
Then looked back at Sam.
“I’m sorry,” Sam said. “I’ll start over.”
“No need,” I replied. “We’re ready.”
I ordered first.
Leo barely looked up from his phone.
“I’ll have the ribeye. Medium.”
Sam carefully repeated everything back.
Then he thanked us and headed toward the kitchen.
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The second he disappeared through the swinging doors, Leo unlocked his phone.
His thumbs flew across the screen.
A second later, he laughed.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing.”
“Leo.”
He sighed dramatically.
“I texted Tyler.”
“What did you say?”
He turned the phone away.
“Nothing.”
“Show me.”
“It’s just a joke.”
“Leo.”
With exaggerated annoyance, he held the screen toward me.
My stomach twisted.
“This waiter is moving in slow motion. I think I’ll be old before my steak gets here.”
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Below it was a laughing emoji.
Then another message.
“Pretty sure I could do his job faster.”
I stared at the words.
Then back at my son.
“Delete that.”
“Oh, come on.”
“Delete it.”
“It’s funny.”
“No.”
“It’s cruel.”
He shrugged.
“He’s never going to see it.”
“That doesn’t make it okay.”
Leo leaned back.
“Mom, everybody jokes about people.”
“Not like this.”
“It’s not that serious.”
Before I could answer, Sam returned carrying a basket of warm bread.
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He smiled as he placed it on the table.
“I hope… you enjoy.”
Leo waited until Sam turned away.
Then he exaggerated the careful way Sam walked.
Shoulders stiff.
Steps slow.
Head tilted.
He whispered, “I hope… you enjoy.”
Then he snickered.
I froze.
The couple at the next table had seen it.
The older woman looked horrified.
Her husband shook his head.
Across the aisle, another family had gone completely silent.
Nobody laughed, nobody smiled.
Only Leo.
He looked around as though he expected everyone else to find him hilarious.
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Instead, the room seemed suddenly smaller.
Colder.
I felt heat rush into my face.
Not anger.
Shame.
Deep, overwhelming shame.
I looked toward the kitchen.
Sam hadn’t seen it.
At least I hoped he hadn’t.
I reached into my purse.
Pulled out my wallet and placed my credit card on the table.
When Sam returned a few minutes later, I stopped him before he could speak.
“I’m so sorry.”
He looked confused.
“For what?”
I glanced toward Leo.
Then back at Sam.
“For how my son behaved.”
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Sam blinked.
“Oh.” His smile faded slightly. “I… didn’t…”
He hesitated.
“I didn’t know if… maybe…”
He never finished the sentence.
That hurt even more.
He had noticed.
He’d simply chosen to pretend he hadn’t.
“I’m very sorry,” I repeated. “You deserved better.”
His smile returned.
Small.
Gentle.
“It’s okay.”
“No,” I said quietly. “It isn’t.”
I pushed my credit card toward him.
“We’re going to leave.”
His eyes widened.
“But… your dinner…”
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“I’ve lost my appetite.”
He nodded slowly.
“I’ll… I’ll bring the bill.”
“And thank you for your kindness.”
He gave me the smallest smile.
“You’re welcome.”