The Father of My Twins Mocked Me for Ordering a $5 Cobb Salad – I Stayed Quiet but Karma Acted
I moved slower, sure, but I still moved.
Dottie was behind the counter. Her face lit up when she saw me.
"You came back," she said, removing her apron. "Sit down, sweetheart. I'm taking my break."
She brought hot chocolate first, then a plate of fries, and then a thick slice of pecan pie.
"These are all the things I've been craving," I smiled.
"Sit down, sweetheart. I'm taking my break."
"Honey, I know. I've had my fair share of this life... and I've had my fair share of cravings. The cravings are universal, trust me."
"I keep thinking... maybe he'll change," I said, looking down at my hands.
"You can't build a life on maybe," Dottie said softly, shaking her head. "Not with a baby on the way."
"Babies," I corrected her. "Twins. Girls."
"I keep thinking he'll change."
She reached across the table, and my eyes stung at her touch.
"You want your girls to know what love looks like? Show them by how you let yourself be treated."
I let the words sit with me. I let them soak into the part of me still afraid to want more.
"You don't need a perfect man," she said gently. "You need peace. You need softness. You need a home that feels safe. And until you find that, it's better to walk alone."
I let the words sit with me.
I nodded. This was a promise to myself that I hadn't made in a long time.
When I stood to leave, Dottie walked me to the door and pressed a small paper bag into my hand.
"Refill on the fries," she said with a wink. "And a warm place, if you ever need one. My number is in there, too. Call me anytime, sweetheart."
"Thank you, Dottie."
