I thought it was just going to be another ordinary day at work. But things changed quickly when a stranger made fun of me for something I couldn’t control. When I found out who she was, I didn’t hesitate to speak up. The best part? My dad was there to back me up.
There’s a saying: if your partner mistreats service workers, it’s a red flag. It shows how they treat people they think are “beneath” them. I found this out for myself in a way I never expected.
I’d been working at a restaurant for about a year, balancing my job with my Anthropology studies. Usually, I’d sneak in a bit of studying during quiet moments, but this particular evening was busy, and I hadn’t had a chance to even glance at my books. I was feeling stressed and a little overwhelmed.
And then she walked in—a woman in her fifties, wearing a red dress and radiating entitlement. My stomach knotted up with anxiety. But I pushed it aside and walked over to her with my usual friendly manner. “Good evening! I’m Alice. May I take your order, please?” I said with a bright smile, hoping to ease the tension I felt coming off her in waves.
But instead of softening, she looked me up and down with a frown. “What kind of outfit is that? Where’s your apron?” she snapped.
I felt my throat tighten, and I could feel my old stutter trying to break through. “M-ma’am, I, I’m…” I tried to answer, but she cut me off with a dramatic roll of her eyes.
“I can’t HEAR you! Do you speak proper English? God, I’ll fire you the moment I own this little shack,” she spat, her voice dripping with mockery.
I was shocked and on the verge of tears, trying to figure out what she meant by “owning” the restaurant. I was about to defend myself and the place I worked when something unexpected happened.
From behind her, I heard my dad’s voice. “Oh, you two have already met—perfect!”
Met? What was he talking about? The woman, who had been so confident and cruel just seconds before, suddenly started stuttering, her face going pale. “H-h-honey, what do you mean?” she stammered, all her confidence gone.
My dad walked over, smiling warmly. “You don’t get it yet? This is my daughter, Alice!” he announced, pulling me into a side hug.
The woman’s face turned bright red, and her earlier arrogance turned into embarrassment. I could tell that things were about to get really interesting.
With my dad standing next to me, my fear melted away. I looked her straight in the eye and smiled. “Please, go on, ma’am. What were you saying about firing me when you own this… what did you call it again? Ah, yes—this ‘shack’?” My voice was steady and confident.
She tried to find her words, clearly flustered. “Oh, darling, you misunderstood. I was just joking!”
My dad’s smile disappeared as he began to connect the dots. “What exactly were you joking about, Donna?” he asked, his voice firm.
She forced a smile, but it only made her look more nervous. “I was just… I didn’t mean any harm,” she tried to say, but her voice wasn’t as strong as it had been.
“Oh, so you can s-s-stutter too, but others can’t?” I shot back, mimicking her earlier tone.
My dad stood there, silent but clearly upset by what he was hearing. I turned to him, my heart racing but determined. “Dad, I’m sorry, but it seems your taste in women has gone downhill since Mom.”
Donna reached for my dad, her voice filled with panic. “Please, honey, it was just a misunderstanding,” she pleaded, her mask of confidence crumbling.
My dad shook his head, disappointment clear on his face. “I can’t believe you’d speak to my daughter—or anyone—like that. Is this how you treat people when you think no one’s looking?”
Donna’s eyes widened as she realized her behavior had completely backfired. I crossed my arms, feeling stronger than ever as I watched her try to wriggle out of the mess she’d made.
“No, no, I didn’t mean it that way. I was just having a bad day!” she insisted, her voice shaky.
“Even a bad day doesn’t excuse your behavior, Donna. You’ve shown me who you truly are,” my dad said, his voice filled with sadness.
“And it’s not a pretty sight,” I added, standing tall beside him.
“Please, give me another chance. I promise I’ll do better,” Donna begged, her arrogance now replaced with desperation. She clearly hadn’t expected to be exposed like this.
For a moment, I felt a little sorry for her. She seemed to care for my dad, but the way she treated me said a lot about her character. How many others had she treated like this?
But in the end, it didn’t really matter. “First impressions last,” as they say, and Donna had made hers very clear.
My dad looked at her with a mix of sadness and resolve. “No, I think it’s best if we part ways. I can’t be with someone who disrespects my daughter and others like that.”
“Goodbye, and enjoy your last meal here, because you’re no longer welcome,” I said, feeling a wave of confidence wash over me.
Donna’s face twisted with anger and humiliation, but she didn’t say another word as she stormed out of the restaurant. My dad turned to me, his expression softening. “I’m so sorry, Alice. I had no idea she was like that.”
“It’s okay, Dad. I’m just glad you know now,” I replied, relieved that the truth had finally come out.
We hugged, and the other customers, who had been watching the whole thing, started clapping. I felt proud of myself for standing up, and even prouder that my dad was right there with me.
As the restaurant calmed down, my dad and I sat together, sharing a cup of coffee. The confrontation was still fresh in our minds, but we felt comfort in each other’s company.
“Dad, why didn’t you ever tell her about me?” I asked, curious.
He sighed, stirring his coffee. “I wanted to, but it never seemed like the right time. I didn’t think she would react like that.”
“Well, now you know,” I said, with a hint of bitterness. “It’s not the first time someone’s mocked my stutter, but it hurt more coming from someone you cared about.”
He reached across the table, taking my hand in his. “I’m so proud of you, my angel. You’ve grown into such a strong and resilient young woman.”
His words warmed my heart, and I smiled. “Thanks, Dad. That means a lot.”
Seeing how heartbroken my dad was, I reached out and hugged him tightly. “I’m sorry, Dad.”
“Thanks, pumpkin,” he smiled sadly. “I did care for her. We were together for almost a year, and I thought she was the one… until today.”
I felt sad for my dad, but I was also relieved that Donna wouldn’t be a part of our lives. Something told me my stutter would have been the least of my worries with her around. Thankfully, fate had other plans.
As the night went on, we talked about everything and nothing. The restaurant staff, who had witnessed the drama, gave me nods and supportive smiles. I felt a deep sense of pride and belonging.
A few days later, things went back to normal. The regular customers came and went, the kitchen buzzed with activity, and I moved with a new sense of purpose.
One night, as I was closing up, my dad came over, looking thoughtful. “I’ve been thinking about what happened with Donna,” he said.
“Yeah?” I replied, looking up from wiping down a table.
“I realized I’ve been too focused on finding someone new, and I haven’t been paying enough attention to you,” he admitted.
“Dad, it’s okay. I want you to be happy,” I said sincerely.
He shook his head. “No, it’s not okay. I need to be there for YOU more. You’ve always been there for me, and I want to do the same for you.”
I felt a lump in my throat, touched by his words. “Thanks, Dad. That means a lot.”
We hugged again, feeling closer than ever. The restaurant wasn’t just a place to work; it had become a place of growth, strength, and family.
The incident with Donna taught me that people’s true colors always show eventually. And when they do, they have to face the consequences. For me, it was a victory—knowing I had the strength to stand up for myself, and that my dad was right there beside me.
