There’s something quietly sacred about a dinner meant to celebrate. Good food, a shared bottle of wine, the soft hum of conversation — that’s what Amelia (30) envisioned when she and her husband, Ryan (30), decided to toast his recent promotion. They chose a cozy, mid-range restaurant — the kind with cloth napkins, flickering candles, and servers who usually seem to care.
The Check That Shifted the Mood
Dinner unfolded just as they’d hoped. The food was delicious, the service passable, the mood light. When the check arrived — $85 — Amelia felt content. She placed a ten-dollar bill on the tray. A little over 11%. Not lavish, but fair, she thought.
Then came the moment that cracked the evening open.Continue reading…
