After the company gala wrapped up, I noticed a wine stain on my overcoat and grabbed a pack of tissues from the restaurant's front desk.
I'd barely finished wiping the stain when the owner strolled over with a smile and informed me the tissues would be ten dollars.
I froze.
This restaurant charged more than most places in the area, and the portions and flavor were nothing to write home about.
But it was close to the office. Convenient.
So every time I hosted clients or organized a company dinner, I chose Gourmet Grace.
When I didn't move, the owner's smile thinned.
"Mr. Dickerson, I'm running a small business here."
"A man of your stature surely wouldn't pinch pennies over something this small?"
I laughed, pulled a hundred-dollar bill from my wallet, and set it on the counter.
"Keep the change."
Her face lit up like a slot machine hitting jackpot, and she thanked me three times over.
The next morning, I walked into the office and had my assistant send out a company-wide notice:
"Effective immediately, any reimbursement receipts from Gourmet Grace restaurant—
—will be denied without exception."
……
The gala that evening had been a success.
As the night wound down, Neville James, the company's financial director, approached with the bill, dipping his head slightly.
"Mr. Dickerson, here's the total for tonight. If you'd like to review it."
I lifted my teacup, took a slow sip, and let my gaze drift to the bolded figure at the bottom of the page:
$138,044.
Roughly twenty thousand more than last year.
A flicker of that's steep crossed my mind—but only a flicker.
It was the end of the year, and the company had posted record numbers. You don't skimp on appearances when you've earned the right to celebrate.
Besides, we'd held the annual gala here for thirteen years. The price crept up every time. I was used to it.
"Looks fine."
I didn't bother reviewing the line items. I drew a pen from the inside pocket of my suit jacket and signed my name in the lower right corner with a clean, decisive stroke.
"Settle it tonight. Cash."
I handed the bill back to Neville.
He nodded and strode off toward the restaurant manager waiting just outside the private dining room doors.
The gala finally wound to a close.
I stood beneath the gilded awning of Gourmet Grace's entrance, wearing the kind of polished smile the occasion demanded, and said goodbye to every important client one by one.
After the last guest's car pulled away, I raised my hand to signal my driver—and my fingertips brushed something cold and damp that had no business being there.
I glanced down. There, on the lower front panel of my charcoal cashmere overcoat, was a dark crimson stain.
Red wine. Probably splashed during one of the many toasts over dinner.
I frowned and looked up. Behind the front desk stood a young woman in the restaurant's uniform. I didn't recognize her—new hire, most likely.
"Excuse me." I walked over and gestured toward my coat. "Could I get some tissues? Thanks."
The girl behind the desk responded right away. "Of course, sir. One moment."
She pulled an unopened pack of white tissues from beneath the counter, tore the plastic wrapper with practiced efficiency, drew out a thick stack, and came around the desk to hand them to me.
I thanked her, dabbed the stain as best I could, crumpled the soiled tissues into a ball, and tossed them in the trash.
I was turning to leave when a familiar voice, laced with warmth, drifted from just behind me.
"Mr. Dickerson—heading out already?"
Gloria Hayworth. Owner of Gourmet Grace.
She wore a dark plum brocade cheongsam with a cashmere shawl draped over her shoulders. Her hair was swept up without a strand out of place, and a designer handbag dangled from the crook of her arm.
I stopped and gave her a courteous nod. "All taken care of. Thanks again for another great year."
"Oh, Mr. Dickerson, you're too kind. We should be thanking you for your loyalty all these years."
Gloria glided closer, her gaze drifting—casually, as if by accident—across the front desk counter before settling, with perfect naturalness, on the opened pack of tissues.
Then, in that same effusive tone, she said the words that made me certain I'd misheard:
