Matthew would be her stomach growled a reminder that she had yet to even order let alone eat Camille took a deep breath and decided to flag Ethan down the next time he asked she was done sitting quietly and being ignored as soon as he reappeared from the kitchen she raised her hand again this time there was no way he could miss her excuse me she called out her voice louder than before her tone firm Ethan paused turning toward her with a blank expression he approached her table and for a brief moment Camille thought she might be
overthinking the whole situation maybe he just hadn’t noticed her before but the look in his eyes as he neared her made her second guess that hope what can I get you he asked flatly no trace of the enthusiasm or warmth he had shown to every other table Camille blinked her frustration bubbling just beneath the surface I’d like to place my order please I’ve been waiting for quite some time Ethan Shrugged slightly we’ve been busy Camille’s eyebrows lifted her frustration quickly turning into disbelief she glanced around the
restaurant again watching how effortlessly Ethan moved between the other tables never missing a beat busy sure but not too busy for everyone else she kept her tone measured not wanting to escalate things too quickly I’ve noticed you’ve been able to attend to the other tables without any issue is there a reason I’ve been sitting here for nearly 30 minutes without even having my order taken Ethan shifted on his feet his eyes narrowing slightly maybe you’re just being sensitive Camille’s grip on her glass tightened
but she kept her composure she had heard variations of this line before accusations that her experiences were imagined that her feelings were invalid she wasn’t about to let this slide sensitive she repeated her voice low but sharp I’m asking for the same service you’re providing to every other customer in here I don’t think that’s being sensitive I think that’s asking for basic respect Ethan sighed as if she were wasting his time look we’re short staffed and there’s a lot going on I’ll take your order but if you’re going to
accuse me of I’m not accusing you of anything Camille interrupted her voice steady I’m simply pointing out the difference in how you’re treating me compared to everyone else in this restaurant and I think you know exactly what I’m talking about Ethan’s expression hardened his mouth pulling into a thin line he said nothing for a moment then pulled out his notepad what do you want to order he asked the coldness in his voice unmistakable Camille held his gaze refusing to back down I’ll have the house special she
said her tone matching his Ethan scribbled something on his notepad and walked away without another word Camille watched him go her frustration now mixed with a deep sense of indignation she had seen this behavior before this subtle almost invisible discrimin ation that so many tried to pretend didn’t exist but tonight it was right in front of her undeniable and infuriating she leaned back in her chair exhaling slowly as she tried to calm herself her fingers tapped against her phone resisting the urge to text Matthew he’d be here soon enough
but even as she tried to focus on the food that was finally hopefully on its way Camille couldn’t shake the feeling that things were only going to get worse this wasn’t over Camille sat in silence her frustration simmering as the minutes ticked by Ethan hadn’t returned since taking her order and though the restaurant bustled around her she felt like she was in a bubble ignored overlooked and isolated in a place that should have made her feel welcome she glanced at her watch it had been nearly 45 minutes since Ethan had scribbled
down her order still no food no updates and no sign of him the soft clinking of plates and murmured conversations filled the air nearby tables continued to be showered with attention as servers brought out dish after dish drinks constantly refilled a a sense of disbelief washed over her how could someone in a place like this where service was supposed to be impeccable get away with this kind of behavior her patience had officially run out she flagged down Sarah the waitress who had brought her water earlier Sarah
approached quickly a concerned look on her face ma’am is everything okay she asked her voice tinged with genuine concern Camille sighed trying to keep her voice steady despite the growing anger I’ve been waiting over an hour now I ordered the house special and I still haven’t received any food can you check with the kitchen for me please Sarah’s eyes widened slightly oh I’m so sorry that’s definitely not normal let me see what’s going on Sarah rushed off toward the kitchen leaving Camille to Stew in her frustration she clenched her jaw
watching as other tables received their meals with no issues all while she sat there forgotten the weight of the situation pressed down on her but underneath that a deeper feeling started to Bubble Up something closer to anger this wasn’t just bad service this was intentional a few minutes later Sarah returned looking flustered and apologetic I checked with the kitchen she began nervously clutching the tray she was holding and they said they never received your order Camille’s eyes widened in disbelief what how is that
possible Ethan took my order almost an hour ago Sarah bit her lip clearly uncomfortable with the situation I’m really sorry ma’am it looks like he never put it in Camille’s pulse quickened her frustration now bubbling into full-blown anger she stared past Sarah toward the kitchen doors where Ethan had disappeared after taking her order he had deliberately neglected her again Camille stood up her hands resting on the edge of the table can you please get Ethan to come over here she asked her voice calm but with an edge sharp
enough to cut through the tension Sarah nodded quickly and hurried off clearly eager to avoid further confrontation Camille watched her go feeling the eyes of other patrons briefly flick in her Direction before turning back to their meals she knew the looks they were the kind that appeared when something uncomfortable was happening but no one wanted to get involved a minute later Ethan appeared walking slowly toward her table his expression as unreadable as ever he approached with a slight Swagger as if nothing were wrong at all that was
what infuriated her the most the nonchalance the audacity of his attitude is there a problem he asked his voice completely devoid of any genuine concern Camille stared at him for a long moment Gathering herself she didn’t want to explode not yet but she was done being polite yes there’s a problem you never put my order in Ethan blinked his face remaining expressionless I’m sure that’s just a misunderstanding Camille’s eyes narrowed a misunderstanding I’ve been sitting here for over an hour you took my order and now I find out you never
even bothered to put it in how is that a misunderstanding Ethan Shrugged and Camille felt a surge of anger at his indifference look we’re busy tonight mistakes happen Camille’s temper flared it wasn’t a mistake you’ve ignored me from the moment I walked in you’ve given every other table exceptional service but you can’t even be bothered to give me the basic courtesy of taking my order and now you’re telling me it’s just a mistake Ethan’s eyes darkened a flicker of something more dangerous Crossing his face he crossed his arms over his chest
his posture defensive if you’re going to start accusing me of things maybe you should just leave Camille’s breath caught her anger now boiling over accusing you I’m pointing out exactly what’s been happening all night you’ve ignored me treated me like I don’t exist while bending over backward for everyone else this isn’t about a mistake this is about you thinking you can get away with treating me like this because I’m a black woman sitting alone in this restaurant the words hung in the air between them sharp and heavy the nearby
tables had gone quiet and Camille could feel the weight of the other Diner eyes on her but she didn’t care she wasn’t going to let him brush this off not when it was so obvious what was really happening Ethan’s face flushed red and he shifted uncomfortably I’m not going to stand here and let you accuse me of being a racist he said his voice tight with barely controlled anger if you don’t like the service maybe you should leave Camille’s fists clenched at her sides her heart pounding I’m not going anywhere she said firmly I’m paying to