Doesn't cause a scene. She simply walks to the register and tells Rosie the difference. Rosie's face falls just slightly, doing the math on a slow week. I'll cover it, Josie says quietly. Take it out of my tips today.
Absolutely not, Rosie says. That's not on you. Before either of them can argue, a hand sets a bill on the counter. Frank, still on his usual stool, not even looking up from his paper. That should cover it, he says simply.
Frank, I can't let you do that. You're not letting me do anything, he says. I'm just doing it. Rosie opens her mouth to argue again. Frank cuts her off gently.
This town's been quietly footing bills for that family's mistakes for years. Rosie, might as well be a bill worth paying for once. Something in his voice makes both women go quiet. Josie studies him for a moment. Something like recognition passing behind her eyes.
"That's a kind thing to do, " she says. "It's not kindness, " Frank says. "It's just paying a debt somebody else won't. " He goes back to his paper like nothing happened. But Josie notices the way his hand isn't quite steady on the cup.
Like the words cost him more than the money did. She doesn't ask, "Not yet. " But she files it away the way she files everything else these days. Waiting for the day all these small pieces finally fit together. By Thursday, it's worse again.
Chase leaves a folded napkin under his water glass. Instead of a tip, Josie finds it later. Back by the sink, expecting change. Expecting nothing much at all, she unfolds it, reads seven words written in blue pen. Waitress is like, "You never last long here.
" She reads it once, her face doesn't change, folds it back along its crease, drops it in the trash. Quiet, quick, like she's used to throwing away things not worth keeping. Meg catches her doing it. Catches the flicker around her eyes. What was that?
Nothing, Josie says. Josie, it's nothing, Meg. Really? Me? Doesn't push.
Not right then. But her jaw sets. You know what? Meg finally says, mostly to herself. I'm getting real tired of this town letting that family get away with everything.
Josie glances at her, something gentle in her expression. It's not your fight. Maybe it should be somebody's, Meg says. They stand there a moment, both leaning against the sink. Can I tell you something?
Meg asks. Of course. I almost left this town after high school. Had a scholarship lined up. State school 2 hours north.