When I arrived at the restaurant in Richmond, they were already seated at a table that was clearly meant for five people. Kimberly was wearing expensive perfume and jewelry that sparkled brightly under the crystal chandeliers.
She pointed out that I was late while looking at her gold watch with a look of annoyance. She called me by my first name instead of calling me Mom which felt like a deliberate attempt to ignore our relationship.
The restaurant was an impressive place with high ceilings and white tablecloths where every dish cost a fortune. I recognized some of the wealthy local politicians and business owners sitting at the nearby tables.
The waiter brought leather menus to the table but Kimberly did not even bother to look at the prices. She snapped her fingers to get the waiter’s attention and ordered four large lobsters along with a bottle of white wine.
Justin glanced at me briefly and mentioned that they only needed four lobsters instead of five. Kimberly smiled in a cruel way and told the waiter that they did not provide extra food for me.
She instructed the waiter to bring only water for me while the rest of the group enjoyed their expensive meal. Justin intervened by claiming that I had already eaten before coming to the restaurant to avoid any further questions.
I felt something break inside my heart when I realized that my son had become a coward who would not defend me. I agreed that water was fine and watched as the waiter walked away with an uncomfortable look on his face.
Kimberly’s parents ignored me completely and focused on talking about how exclusive the dining room felt. The lobsters arrived shortly after and the smell of butter and herbs filled the air around the table.
I sat there with my hands in my lap while observing the theatrical way Kimberly enjoyed her first bite of food. She praised the quality of the meal while her mother agreed that the restaurant was the best in the city.
Justin kept his eyes on his plate and focused on his food to avoid looking at my empty spot. I stayed silent because I wanted them to continue showing their true colors without any interruption from me.
Kimberly’s father asked if I had always been this quiet while speaking about me as if I were not even there. Justin replied that I was a simple person from a different generation who preferred to stay humble.
Kimberly repeated the word humble with a tone that was full of contempt and hidden insults. Her mother poured more wine and suggested that people of my age often failed to plan properly for their financial future.
She implied that I was a burden who had no savings and no real purpose in the modern world. Justin tried to defend me weakly but it was clear that he did not truly believe the words he was saying.
