Chapter 3 - The Breaking Point
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Amelia walked back to the coffee station, her hands trembling so badly she could barely lift the glass pot off the burner. She closed her eyes, counting to ten, forcing the ghost of Raymond Fletcher back into the dark corners of her mind. She was in New York. She was safe. She was an employee, and she had the right to refuse service to anyone who crossed the line.
She walked back to the corner booth.
The coffee had not touched Derek Lawson’s cup when Amelia finally spoke.
She placed the heavy glass pot down on the center of the table because she knew she would drop it if she tried to pour. Then, she took a step back and folded both of her hands tightly against her apron to hide the shaking. The movement was small, defensive, and entirely deliberate.
“I’d like you to pay for your coffee and leave, sir,” Amelia said.
Her voice wasn't loud, but in the afternoon lull of the diner, it carried perfectly.
Derek looked up from the corner booth, his arrogant smile freezing on his face.
His two friends stopped smiling instantly.
At the counter, Mr. Del Monaco’s fork touched his ceramic plate with a sharp, metallic click. Then, everything in the diner became absolutely, terrifyingly quiet. Even Tony stopped scraping the grill in the back kitchen.
“You’re telling me to leave?” Derek asked, leaning forward, the disbelief twisting his features into something ugly.
“Yes,” Amelia said, keeping her chin raised despite the instinct to lower her eyes.
Derek stood up. He pushed the table away from him hard enough to rattle the glass sugar dispenser and spill a few drops of water from the nearby glasses. He stepped out of the booth, towering over her.
His quieter friend, Nikki, suddenly looked panicked. He reached out and caught Derek’s leather sleeve.
“Derek. Come on, man. Not here,” Nikki warned, his eyes darting nervously toward the large red letters painted on the front window.
Derek violently pulled his arm free, shaking off his friend. He turned his full, furious attention back to Amelia.
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“You know what your problem is?” Derek sneered, taking a step closer.
Amelia stepped backward, her breath catching in her throat. Her hip bumped hard against the counter. She had nowhere else to go.
