Inside were expensive steaks.
He opened another.
Fresh seafood.
Another.
Premium coffee.
He turned to Emily.
“Do you eat this food?”
She shook her head.
“Staff meals are usually whatever is left over.”
Thomas looked at Daniel.
“Why?”
Daniel answered quickly.
“Budget.”
Thomas opened the refrigerator.
Inside were dozens of containers marked with dates.
Some were expired.
Some were barely touched.
Thomas frowned.
“How much food gets thrown away every night?”
Emily hesitated.
“Sometimes three or four bags.”
Thomas closed his eyes.
Three or four bags.
Every night.
While people were sleeping hungry outside.
He remembered Margaret.
She had hated waste.
Whenever there was extra food, she would package it and hand it to anyone who needed it.
Thomas looked around the kitchen.
“This isn't my wife's diner anymore.”
Daniel's voice became defensive.
“Business has changed.”
“People haven't.”
Thomas walked back into the dining area.
A few customers were still watching.
One elderly woman stood.
“Mr. Bennett?”
Thomas looked at her.
She smiled through tears.
“I remember you.”
Thomas smiled.
“Mrs. Alvarez.”
She laughed softly.
“You still remember me?”
“You ordered chicken soup every Tuesday for eleven years.”
She shook her head.
“Every Tuesday except when I was sick.”
Thomas smiled.
“You're right.”
The woman looked around.
“I wondered where you went.”
“So did I.”
She pointed at the photograph.
“Margaret would be happy you're back.”
Thomas looked at the picture.
“I hope so.”
Then something unexpected happened.
The elderly woman walked toward the counter.
She picked up the hot dog that had fallen onto the floor.
Not to eat it.
She simply placed it in the trash.
Then she looked at Thomas.
“She always said this place belonged to people, not money.”
Thomas nodded.
“She did.”
Another customer stood.
Then another.
Soon, people began telling stories.
One man remembered Margaret giving his mother free meals during a difficult winter.
A woman remembered Lily doing homework in the corner booth.
A former employee remembered Thomas repairing a customer's car in the parking lot because the customer couldn't afford a mechanic.
The diner slowly filled with memories.
Daniel stood in the middle of them.
He looked smaller than he had minutes earlier.
Finally, Thomas turned toward him.
“Daniel.”
“Yes?”
“You've managed this diner for four years.”
“Yes.”
“Do you know how much money you've made?”
Daniel hesitated.
Thomas already knew.
He had the records.
“Your salary has tripled.”
Daniel looked down.
Thomas continued.
“Yet the staff haven't received raises in two years.”
Daniel said nothing.