My mother-in-law showed up at my restaurant with 38 friends and announced, “Order the most expensive things. I’m treating everyone today,” even though she knew she had no intention of paying. Instead of throwing them out, I looked at the manager and said, “Serve them everything.” Three hours later, when she saw the $23,289 bill and the folder I placed on the table, she stopped smiling.

Several of the women snickered behind their napkins.

“She cooks wonderfully,” one woman remarked quietly, “but she seems a bit too simple for someone who runs a place like this.”

Beatrice took a slow sip of her wine before responding.

“Camilla has always been like this, but she is excellent at her labor, which is why you keep her around.”

I squeezed the neck of the glass bottle tightly in my hands, but I forced myself to keep smiling.

Then one of her wealthy friends leaned forward and askeda sudden question.

 

“And where is Lucas today? I have not seen him around in a very long time.”

Beatrice leaned in close to them with an eager look, as if she were about to share the juicy gossip of the year.

“My son is doing better than ever, and he even has a lovely young woman on the side who adores him.”