"She Can't Speak Chinese!" Millionaire Laughed — Then the Black Waitress Spoke
Chapter 17
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At the service station, Emily touched Maya's elbow. "You want me to take 12?""No.""He's doing it on purpose.""I know.""Thomas would switch us.""I know.""Then why stay?"Maya looked through the opening toward table 12. "Because leaving would make Richard believe he had correctly identified the problem: her." But that was not the answer she gave. "They haven't finished the first course."Emily stared at her. "Maya...""I'm okay."It was not entirely true, but it was true enough to keep moving.When Maya returned, Richard and Daniel were discussing community access around Pier 17."We've gone above every requirement," Richard said. "Tenant support, public meetings, translated materials. We've been extremely thorough."Maya's hand slowed near Grace's water glass, only for an instant: Pier 17... translated materials. Inside her apron pocket, H-17 seemed suddenly heavier. She remembered the mismatched phrases, the notices Walter had given her. She also remembered Helen Wu: Know what you know, know what you don't. Maya poured the water and said nothing.Grace noticed the hesitation; Richard did not. He was too busy speaking."We've had the usual complaints," he continued. "Every redevelopment gets them."Daniel asked, "What kind?""People don't like change."Grace finally looked up. "Sometimes people don't like being displaced."Richard's smile tightened. "Which is why we have a relocation program."Maya stepped away. She had almost reached the service station when Richard snapped his fingers—not loudly; he didn't need to."Maya."She stopped. He had remembered her name now; that somehow made what came next worse. She returned."Yes, Mr. Hale?"Richard nodded toward Daniel and Grace. "Mr. Chen and Ms. Chen may want to discuss part of the menu in Mandarin."Daniel said, "English is perfectly fine."Richard ignored him. He looked at Maya. "Do you speak Chinese?"The question was casual; the expression wasn't. Maya understood what he wanted: a mistake, a reason to prove his earlier judgment."Yes."Richard blinked. "You do?""I speak Mandarin."A beat passed. Then Richard laughed. It was louder than necessary. A couple at the next table turned.Richard leaned back. "She speaks Mandarin."Laura looked uncomfortable. "Richard—""What? I'm impressed." He looked at Maya again. "Say something."Maya remained still. "If Mr. Chen needs assistance, I'd be happy to help."Daniel's gaze moved toward her. Grace's hand stopped above her folder.Richard shook his head. "No, no, don't hide behind that.""I'm not hiding.""Then say something."Maya felt the attention spreading outward from the table. Emily had stopped near the service station. Thomas was at the bar speaking with a vendor and had not yet noticed what was happening.