I have always lived for my son, saving every penny and living frugally. My life was simple and unadorned. I lived in a modest home, wearing the same clothes year after year, and never spending money on luxuries.
I had raised him alone, pouring all my energy and resources into his education and future.
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John had grown up to be intelligent and hardworking, and he had opened his own business, making me incredibly proud.
That day, I decided to surprise my son, John, by visiting his new restaurant.
Dressed in my simple yet neat outfit, I stepped off the bus and entered the restaurant, deciding to have a modest cup of tea while waiting for my son.
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The restaurant was bustling with activity, the clinking of cutlery and the soft murmur of conversations creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere. I chose a cozy table by the window, appreciating the sunlight streaming in.
As I sat there, sipping my tea and admiring the décor, a young woman with a smug expression approached my table. Her designer clothes and confident stride immediately caught my attention.
“Excuse me,” she said, her tone condescending.
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I looked up, surprised and a bit confused. “Oh, I didn’t realize,” I replied politely. “There wasn’t a reservation sign on the table.”
She raised an eyebrow, her smile more of a smirk.
“That doesn’t matter. This table is meant for someone dressed a bit more… appropriately. You wouldn’t want to embarrass yourself or anyone else.”
Her words stung. I felt humiliated but didn’t want to cause a scene. I quietly gathered my things and left the restaurant.
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As I walked to the bus stop, my mind raced with thoughts about the situation.
How could someone make me feel so insignificant in a place that represented my son’s hard work and success?
On the bus ride home, I couldn’t shake the feeling of humiliation. I had always lived frugally and sacrificed so much to ensure John had a better future. I was made to feel small and unimportant by a stranger.
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I decided not to mention the incident to John. We had planned to have lunch together, and I didn’t want to spoil the mood with my hurt feelings. The humiliation still gnawed at me, making it hard to think about anything else.
My mood was ruined, but I hoped that our meeting the next day would lift my spirits.
Little did I know, tomorrow would bring even more unpleasant surprises.
The following day, I was waiting for John and his girlfriend for lunch. I had spent the morning preparing, wanting everything to be perfect. It was our first meeting, and I wanted to create a pleasant atmosphere. The table was set with my best china , and I had cooked John’s favorite dishes. Nervously, I checked the clock and adjusted the flowers in the vase one more time.
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When they arrived, my heart sank. I recognized the same young woman who had forced me out of my seat at the restaurant. She recognized me too, but acted confidently and arrogantly, as if nothing had happened.
“Hi, Mom!” John greeted me with a warm hug. “This is Sarah.”
“Nice to meet you,” Sarah said, her tone dripping with insincerity.
“Nice to meet you too,” I replied, forcing a smile.
We sat down to eat, and the atmosphere was tense. John, unaware of the tension between Sarah and me, chatted happily about his restaurant and their plans. Sarah chimed in occasionally, her voice always holding that same smug tone.
