Everything was perfect… until it wasn’t.
The Check That Shifted the Mood
Dinner unfolded just as they’d hoped. The food was delicious, the service passable, the mood light. When the check arrived — $85 — Amelia felt content. She placed a ten-dollar bill on the tray. A little over 11%. Not lavish, but fair, she thought.
As the waitress reached for the check, she paused, frowned, and said, “Ten bucks? This isn’t the 1950s anymore, you know.”
Amelia froze, fork midair. Ryan looked up, startled.
“Excuse me?” Amelia asked, her voice sharpening.Continue reading…
