He moved it without argument.
The evening passed without incident.
Near the end of the night, Nora stood beside the service station and watched guests drift toward the coat check. She still wore a gold badge. The words were different now.
NORA VALE — ASSISTANT BANQUET CAPTAIN.
She touched it once, remembering the way Celeste had pointed at the old badge as though a job title could determine the amount of dignity a person deserved.
Then a young server approached carrying a tray.
“Table seven is asking for water.”
Nora took two glasses from the rack and placed them on the tray.
“Then let’s not make them ask twice.”
Across the room, Marian Bell happened to be sitting at table seven.
She saw Nora coming and smiled.
Nora smiled back.
Nothing dramatic happened after that.
No one shouted. No one threatened a career. No glass struck a table hard enough to silence a ballroom.
Nora simply set the water within Marian’s reach.
Marian wrapped both hands around the glass.
“Thank you,” she said.
This time, the words were ordinary.
That was exactly how Nora wanted them.
