I thought it was just another normal day at work, but everything changed fast when a rude stranger made fun of me for something I couldn’t control. When I found out who she was, I didn’t hold back—I called her out right then and there. The best part? My dad stood right beside me.
You know how they say if someone is mean to waiters or service workers, it’s a bad sign? It shows what they think of people they consider “beneath” them. Well, I learned that lesson the hard way with a shocking experience.
I had been working at a restaurant for about a year while also studying Anthropology. Sometimes, I’d sneak in a little studying between orders or when things were slow. But this particular evening was super busy, and I hadn’t had a chance to even look at my books. I could feel the stress building up inside me.
Then, she walked in—a middle-aged woman in a bright red dress, looking like she owned the place. I felt a wave of anxiety hit me. Still, I put on my best smile, walked up to her, and said, “Good evening! I’m Alice. May I take your order, please?” I was hoping my friendly tone would help ease the tension that seemed to be radiating from her.
But instead of relaxing, she narrowed her eyes at me, looking me up and down with a scornful expression. “What is this look you’ve got going on? Where’s your apron?” she snapped.
I felt my throat tighten, and I could feel my old stutter threatening to come back. “M-ma’am, I, I’m…” I tried to speak, but she cut me off with a dramatic roll of her eyes.
“I can’t HEAR you! Do you even speak proper English?” she sneered. “God, I’ll fire you the moment I own this little shack.”
I was shocked and nearly in tears, trying to make sense of what she just said. What did she mean by “owning” the restaurant? I was about to defend myself and this place I loved so much when something unexpected happened.
Suddenly, I heard my dad’s voice from behind her. “Oh, you two have already met—perfect!”
Met? What was he talking about? The woman who had been so confident and rude just seconds before suddenly lost her composure. She stuttered, “H-h-honey, what do you mean?”
My dad walked over with a big smile on his face. “Don’t you get it? This is my daughter, Alice!” he said, pulling me into a side hug.
Her face turned bright red. She glanced back at me, and all that arrogance disappeared. That’s when I knew things were about to get interesting.
With my dad beside me, all my fear vanished. I looked her straight in the eye and smiled. “Please, continue with what you were saying, ma’am. What was that about firing me when you own this… what did you call it again? Oh, right—this ‘shack’?”
She fumbled, trying to find the right words. “Oh, darling, you misunderstood. I was just joking!”
My dad’s smile faded as he started to understand what had happened. “Joking? Really, Donna? What exactly were you joking about?” he asked.
She forced a smile, but it only made her look more fake. “I was just… I didn’t mean any harm,” she stammered, but her voice lacked any confidence.
I decided to give her a taste of her own medicine. “Oh, so you can s-s-stutter too, but others can’t?” I said, mimicking her tone from earlier.
My dad stood there, his face thoughtful as he pieced everything together. I turned to him, feeling my heart racing but staying strong. “Dad, I’m sorry, but it looks like your taste in women hasn’t been great since Mom.”
Donna’s face twisted in panic as she tried to reach for my dad. “Please, honey, it was just a misunderstanding,” she begged, her act falling apart.
My dad shook his head, disappointment clear in his eyes. “I can’t believe you’d speak to my daughter—or anyone—like that. Is this how you treat people when you think no one is watching?”
Donna’s eyes widened, realizing she had messed up badly. I crossed my arms, feeling a newfound strength as I watched her squirm.
“No, no, I didn’t mean it like that! I was just having a bad day!” she insisted, her voice shaky.
“Even a bad day doesn’t justify your behavior, Donna. You’ve shown me who you really are,” my dad said, his voice filled with sadness.
“And it’s not a pretty sight,” I added, standing firm by his side.
“Please, give me another chance. I promise I’ll do better,” Donna pleaded, her arrogance completely gone. It was clear she hadn’t expected to be caught for who she really was.
For a moment, I felt a bit sorry for her. It was obvious she had feelings for my dad, but the way she treated me showed her true colors. How many other people had she belittled like this?
But in the end, it didn’t matter. “First impressions last,” as they say, and Donna had made hers clear.
My dad looked at her, his face a mix of sadness and determination. “No, I think it’s best if we part ways. I can’t be with someone who disrespects my daughter and others like that.”
“Goodbye, and enjoy your last meal here, because you’re no longer welcome,” I said, feeling strong and proud.
Donna’s face twisted in anger and humiliation, but she said nothing as she stormed out of the restaurant. My dad turned to me, his expression softening. “I’m so sorry, Alice. I had no idea she was like that.”
“It’s okay, Dad. I’m just glad you know now,” I replied, feeling relieved that the truth had come out.
We hugged, and the other customers, who had been quietly watching, started clapping. I felt proud for standing up for myself, and even more proud that my dad had my back.
As the restaurant quieted down, my dad and I sat together, sharing a cup of coffee. The argument was still fresh in our minds, but being together made us feel better.
“Dad, why didn’t you ever tell her about me?” I asked.
He sighed and stirred his coffee. “I wanted to, but it never seemed like the right time. I didn’t think she would react like that.”
“Well, now you know,” I said, a little bitterness in my voice. “It’s not the first time someone’s mocked my stutter, but it hurt more coming from someone you cared about.”
He reached across the table, taking my hand in his. “I’m so proud of you, my angel. You’ve grown into such a strong and resilient young woman.”
His words warmed my heart, and I smiled. “Thanks, Dad. That means a lot.”
Seeing how sad my dad was, I hugged him tightly. “I’m sorry, Dad.”
“Thanks, pumpkin,” he smiled sadly. “I did care for her. We were together for almost a year, and I thought she was the one… until today.”
I felt sad for my dad, but I was also relieved that Donna wouldn’t be a part of our lives anymore. Something told me that my stutter would have been the least of my worries with her around. Thankfully, fate had stepped in.
As the night went on, we talked about everything and nothing. The restaurant staff, who had seen the whole drama, gave me thumbs-ups and supportive smiles. I felt a deep sense of pride and belonging.
A few days later, things at the restaurant went back to normal. The regulars came and went, the kitchen was busy, and I felt more confident than ever.
One night, as I was closing up, my dad walked over with a thoughtful look on his face. “I’ve been thinking about what happened with Donna,” he said.
“Yeah?” I asked, looking up from wiping a table.
“I realized I’ve been too focused on finding someone new, and I haven’t been paying enough attention to you,” he admitted.
“Dad, it’s okay. I want you to be happy,” I said, meaning it.
He shook his head. “No, it’s not okay. I need to be there for YOU more. You’ve always been there for me, and I want to do the same for you.”
I felt a lump in my throat, touched by his sincerity. “Thanks, Dad. That means a lot.”
We hugged again, feeling closer than ever. The restaurant wasn’t just a place of work anymore; it was a place of growth, strength, and family.
The experience with Donna taught me that people’s true colors always show in the end. And when they do, they face the consequences. For me, it was a victory—knowing I had the courage to stand up for myself and the unwavering support of my dad.
