The waiter guided Victoria and Thomas toward a quiet table by the marble fountain.
Crystal chandeliers hung low from the tall ceiling, casting warm light on white tablecloths.
Wealthy diners spoke in soft tones while silver utensils clinked gently against fine china.
Victoria sat down gracefully and opened her menu immediately.
Thomas excused himself to step toward the entrance hall.
He had instructed the young busboy at the side entrance to let Leo inside through the service door.
Thomas had spent his entire monthly allowance to buy a hot meal for his savior.
He saw Leo standing awkwardly by the archway, feeling completely out of place.
Leo wore an oversized faded jacket that was patched at the elbows.
His face showed clear cuts across his forehead and dark marks near his eyes.
Thomas grabbed his arm gently and led him toward a table near the center of the dining floor.
Thomas: Sit down, Leo. Eat before it gets cold.
Leo: I shouldn't be here, Thomas. Look at this place.
Thomas: You belong here just as much as anyone else.
The young waiter brought out a large steaming plate of fresh spaghetti with rich tomato sauce.
Leo looked at the plate as if he had not seen real food in days.
His hands trembled slightly as he picked up the heavy silver fork.
Thomas watched with a mixture of deep relief and burning anger at the world's unfairness.
Suddenly, sharp heels clicked fast against the polished oak floorboards.
Victoria had noticed her son standing across the room with a stranger.
She marched over, her face turning red with sudden embarrassment and anger.
Several guests at nearby tables stopped talking and turned their heads to watch.
Victoria looked at Leo's messy hair and torn clothes with deep distaste.
Mother: Thomas! What is that boy doing here?!
Thomas: I invited him, Mom! He hadn't eaten in two days!
Mother: This restaurant is not a shelter!
Her voice cut through the quiet room like a sharp knife.
Leo shrank back into his seat, trying to hide his bruised face from her glare.
Thomas did not back away or lower his eyes.
He stepped directly between his mother and the dining chair where Leo sat.
He raised his chin high, his heart pounding wildly against his ribs.
This was the moment he decided he would stop keeping his family's dark secrets hidden away.