He Bet $10,000 the Black Waitress Couldn’t Speak German — Unaware She Was a Court Interpreter!
Chapter 3
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"I was trying not to make it worse.""For who?"Ruth turned back to the stove. Owen pulled up another crate. Nia folded the check."You're right," Owen said. "I should have stepped in sooner.""I don't need you to fight everybody for me. But don't ask me to smile while they do it.""I won't."Before she could answer, a server appeared in the doorway. "The German lady is asking for you."Marta was waiting away from the table near the coat room. She offered Nia a business card. "We're opening a training center here. Our visiting staff will need language support. Would you send my office your experience?"Nia looked at the card. "My schedule is complicated.""Then tell us your schedule.""It's not only that. My mother had a stroke. I stopped taking assignments because hearings ran late and I couldn't leave her alone. Restaurant shifts were easier to arrange."Marta nodded. "I asked about your experience, Nia. You don't have to defend your life."For the first time that evening, Nia had no answer. Marta smiled and returned to the dining room.Nia was turning when she heard Victor's assistant: "The English copy is already in her folder."Then Victor's voice: "Make sure she does not lose it.""I have updated the manifest.""And the German one?""He is still at the airport. Should I arrange a car?""Still the older version.""Good. Let's keep dinner moving."Nia slowed."Is everything ready for the guests?""We are on schedule. Don't worry."A moment later, Victor stepped into the hallway. His eyes moved from her face to the business card in her hand. "Lost?""No, sir.""Then get back to work."At home, Lily was asleep on the couch. Nia carried her to bed. She sat beside her mother and showed her the check.Her mother adjusted her glasses with her good hand. "All those years I told you to stop arguing with people.""I wasn't arguing.""You brought home $10,000. You were doing something."Nia laughed. Her mother looked again."What did he make you do?"The laughter stopped. "Speak.""I'm listening, baby. Tell me what's on your mind.""I just don't know how much longer I can do this.""You don't have to do it alone."Nia looked down."And now you're wondering why something you worked so hard to learn still had to be proved to a stranger," her mother said, reaching for her hand. "Deposit it in the morning."Three days later, the check cleared. Nia paid what she owed, filled the refrigerator, and bought Lily two school shirts. Then she opened the old laptop she had not used for professional work in almost a year. Her resume was still there. So was a photograph from the courthouse, taken on a day when she had felt certain about the future. She stared at it until Lily climbed onto the chair beside her.