When the meal ended and the waiter asked about the check, she did not hesitate.
“Oh, we’ll just split it,” she said cheerfully.
The words landed hard.
I looked at her for a brief moment. She did not look back. She assumed. She always did.
I could have argued. I could have reminded her of our earlier conversation. I could have made the evening uncomfortable in a different way. Instead, I simply nodded and said, “Sure.”
Sometimes, silence buys you time.
A Quiet Decision
A few minutes later, she excused herself to go to the restroom. As soon as she disappeared, I gently raised my hand and asked the waiter to come back.
I spoke calmly and quietly.
“I’d like to add a few entrées to go,” I said.
He looked surprised. “To go?”
“Yes,” I replied. “Please add them to this table’s bill.”
I ordered three full meals. Nothing extravagant beyond what was already on the menu. The same ribeye. A filet. A salmon dish.
The waiter nodded and walked away without question.
I sat back in my chair and waited.
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