“We all have tough stuff to deal with, Miranda. We’re short on people, and I need you to do your job, not run away,” Michael said, not even looking at her. Miranda had no choice but to serve Colin and Leslie, who were rude and made mean jokes about where she was from. “Look who we have here, Miranda, serving tables. I guess people from your background really do find their calling in the service industry, huh?” Colin said in a nasty way. Miranda managed a strained smile and asked if they were ready to order, hiding her turmoil.
Right then, Colin dropped his fork deliberately, forcing Miranda to retrieve it. And as Miranda did that, Leslie laughed loudly and clapped. “Look at Miranda! She’s good at picking things up!” Now, everyone was looking at her, making Miranda feel even worse. She gave the fork back to Colin with a barely steady hand. “Thanks,” Colin said, but he clearly didn’t mean it. “You’re such a team player.” Miranda tried to stay calm and quickly brought their order, Mexican stew, hoping they would stop being mean. But Colin said the stew wasn’t spicy enough and made a mess by flipping his plate. The mess got all over Miranda’s clothes. “It’s okay,” she said, trying not to sound upset while she cleaned up. But Leslie kept laughing, and people watched her. So many eyes on her completely shattered the confidence and strength Miranda had tried to muster until now. She could no longer hold those tears that were welling up in her eyes. She had to go to the kitchen and hide in a corner, and she was so upset she started crying. As she broke down into sobs, a voice distracted her.
