The Father of My Twins Mocked Me for Ordering a $5 Cobb Salad – I Stayed Quiet but Karma Acted

"It must be nice, huh, Rae? Spending money that you didn't earn."

A table nearby went quiet. A gray-haired couple in the next booth looked over. The woman's mouth tightened like she'd swallowed something bitter.

"You want some crackers while you wait, sweetheart?" Dottie asked, her voice low and kind.

"I'm okay," I said, shaking my head. "Thank you."

A table nearby went quiet.

"No, honey. You're shaking. That happens to me when my blood sugar levels are low. You need to eat."

She left before I could argue. I pressed my hand to my belly, imagining the babies hearing everything. I wished I could shield them from the world. I wished I could keep them from ever hearing their father's taunts.

I wished I could do better... for them.

When Dottie came back, she set down a glass of iced tea and a little bowl of crackers on a napkin.