CHAPTER NINE — A PLACE AT THE TABLE
At five ten, Saira welcomed eighty-two guests into a hall decorated with folded paper stars made by the apprentices.
She did not explain the entire dispute while families were still taking their seats.
She thanked the students, described the evening’s menu, and told everyone that some dishes had been adapted because a promised delivery had failed.
The room applauded, but the applause did not solve the payroll problem.
Ethan carried trays beside Priya and noticed how often Lacey glanced toward the entrance.
“He isn’t coming here to stop it,” Ethan whispered.
“You don’t know that,” she said.
“No,” he admitted.
“I don’t.”
They served the first course, and conversation rose above the scrape of plates.
Rosa stood at the doorway watching the students work and refusing to let anyone rush them.
Halfway through the second course, Victor appeared in the back of the room.
He wore his restaurant suit and carried a folded program.
Saira walked to meet him before he could reach the serving line.
“You are welcome to attend as a guest if you can do so respectfully,” she said.
“I’m here for my people,” he replied.
“The students are here with their families.”
Victor pointed toward Ethan.
“That boy stole from me and now he’s serving food at your event.”
Several guests turned in their chairs.
Ethan put down his tray because his wrists had begun to shake.
Saira told Victor to lower his voice.
“You don’t get to steal my staff,” Victor shouted.
Rosa approached from the kitchen.
“Nobody stole me,” she said.
“I finished the shift you scheduled me for and then came to teach here.
”
“I can fire you.”
“You can tell me that tomorrow,” Rosa answered.
“Tonight is not about you.”
Victor looked at Lacey and raised his voice again.
“You can forget that hotel job if you walk away from my training.”
The dining room fell silent.
Lacey set down her serving spoon.
She looked toward her aunt, who made no gesture at all.
Then she faced Victor.
“I already learned how to cook,” she said.
“I came here to show it.”
Victor moved toward her, but Paul Henley entered behind him with two members of the community center staff.
Paul explained that the private banquet had been delayed because Victor had failed to supply the workers and food promised in its contract.
He wanted the manager to return and explain the change to his paying clients.
Victor stared from one face to another.
For once, the room would not arrange itself around his anger.
He turned and left with Paul following him.
Ethan picked up his tray again and finished serving the nearest table.
The guests began speaking in low voices until a woman in the front row stood.
“I came to taste the food my grandson made,” she said.
“Could someone please bring the next course?”
Laughter broke the tension, and the apprentices returned to work.
Walter stayed seated at the back, smiling into his napkin.
