I reached into my bag for her bottle, hoping to calm her. But before I could unscrew the cap, I felt it—eyes on me.
At the next table, a woman wrinkled her nose. “Ugh, this isn’t a daycare,” she muttered, loud enough to sting.
Their words sliced through the room. Patrons glanced up—some curious, some annoyed. I shrank into my seat. Outside? Into the storm? My chest tightened.
“I wasn’t trying to cause trouble,” I said softly. “I just needed somewhere dry to feed her.”
The woman scoffed. “Feed her in your car. Don’t ruin our afternoon.”
My hands trembled as I fumbled with the bottle. That’s when the waitress appeared—young, nervous, tray clutched like a shield.
“Ma’am… maybe it would be better if you took her outside. Some customers are complaining.”
I stared at her. “Outside? In the rain? She’s a baby.”
She shifted. “It’s just… you’re disturbing others.”
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