What I Learned Today

A waitress at a small Asian restaurant in Phoenix wasn't going anywhere.

She was counting up divided bills. One of the kids asked her if she had overheard their conversation.

She was quick to say no, but it didn't feel authentic enough to her. So she explained that the only time she actually listened was when a couple came in and one of the two was angry at the other while ordering.

"Then I listen," she said.

And I was at the next table over, quitely overhearing, silently promising never to be the angry one.

Surely there was no reason to be, not at this place in this city in this universe.