Don’t inconvenience anyone.
Don’t make people worry.
Don’t ask for more than you absolutely need.
“All right,” I said quietly. “We’ll leave.”
Then I noticed the golden retriever again.
“But that dog is inside.”
“Their table ordered lunch.”
I looked back at him.
“So the rule isn’t actually about dogs.”
His expression tightened.
“My name is Christopher. I own this café. I decide what kind of environment I want here.”
Benny leaned against my ankle.
I could have walked away.
Perhaps I should have.
Then Christopher looked down at him and said something I still can’t forget.
“Your dog is old, unattractive, and looks like he’s barely hanging on. Animals like that make paying customers uncomfortable.”
Benny began trembling.
I immediately picked him up and held him against my chest.
“He’s fourteen,” I said. “Being old isn’t a character flaw.”
The couple with the golden retriever turned toward us.
