Jacob nodded.
“Of course.”
Graham touched Meredith’s elbow.
“Come on.”
She pulled away.
“No.”
That surprised everyone, including him.
“I am tired of this place changing every time we come.”
Jacob looked confused.
“What changed?”
“The standards.”
Nia felt the case shift.
Not conclude.
Shift.
“What standards?”
Meredith turned toward her.
“You really want to do this?”
“You brought it to my table.”
Meredith’s jaw tightened.
“People used to dress appropriately.”
Nia looked down at herself.
Leather jacket.
White blouse.
Black trousers.
Clean shoes.
Graham wore shorts.
Nia looked at his khaki shorts.
Then at Meredith.
Meredith noticed.
“That is not what I’m talking about.”
Nia almost laughed.
“Then please explain.”
Meredith’s cheeks reddened.
“This used to be a certain kind of place.”
“What kind?”
“Oh my God.”
She looked toward Jacob.
“Do you see what she’s doing?”
Jacob remained quiet.
Nia knew exactly what she was doing.
She was refusing to finish Meredith’s sentences for her.
That was all.
Meredith looked back at Nia.
“You people always want to turn everything into something.”
The patio changed.
Nobody moved.
Nia felt her body react before her face did.
Small tightening in her chest.
Not surprise.
Recognition.
“Which people?”
Meredith shook her head.
“You know perfectly well.”
“No.”
Nia’s voice remained low.
“I want you to tell me.”
Graham stepped forward.
“Meredith, stop.”
Too late.
Meredith pointed.
“This is exactly the attitude I’m talking about.”
Nia looked at the finger.
“What attitude?”
“Entitled.”
That word almost made her laugh.
The woman demanding another person surrender a table because she preferred it was accusing the seated customer of entitlement.
Nia did not laugh.
She asked:
“Entitled to what?”
“My reservation?”
“My lunch?”
“My chair?”
Meredith’s mouth tightened.
“You are incredibly rude.”
“So far, I have stayed seated.”
That sentence caused someone nearby to laugh.
Meredith heard.
Her humiliation became anger.
She reached toward Nia’s plate.
Nia thought she meant to move the water glass.
Instead Meredith caught the edge of the serving tray beneath the burger and fries.
Jacob stepped forward.
“Mrs. Langford—”
Meredith shoved.
The entire tray slid off the table.
A burger tipped sideways.
Fries scattered.
The salad bowl hit the concrete and rolled.
Two small condiment cups bounced beneath an empty chair.
The metal tray clattered loudly enough to turn every head on the patio.
Nia sat completely still.
She looked down.