Thrown Out
Mary Johnson was an 88-year-old woman who loved to eat at this local restaurant. She loved to sit at the table by the window, so she always picked a place with a view.
She ordered the specials and ate alone, just like any other day. For the old woman, it was the highlight of her day. But one evening, the restaurant manager kicked her out and ended up regretting this action when he discovered who she was and why did she act so strange.
Mary Johnson
Mary was very active for her age. She loved to go out and visit her friends while staying in touch with her entire family.
But her favorite activity was to visit this neighborhood restaurant she had been frequenting for almost three decades with her husband. But when the woman received this news, she realized she could not keep her usual routine.
Family Tradition
Mary didn't always visit the restaurant alone. She and her husband had eaten at the place the first time it opened, and then they became regulars. It was also their 30th wedding anniversary venue, where they danced till late into the night.
Unfortunately, her husband took ill about a year later and passed away, leaving her alone. It was a terrible time for Mary. Gradually, she became a shadow of her once happy self. The old woman didn't want any visitors or to go out and ate very little. Everyone was worried for her.
Not Paying
Mary was a regular at the restaurant, and all the staff loved her. They couldn't wait for her to bless them with her big smile whenever she visited. She was a ray of sunshine and always had a kind word for her server.
Then one day, she came to the restaurant, visibly nervous. The old lady ate her meal in silence. When she was done, she stood up and left without paying. The staff attending to her wondered what must have happened. But her waiter was too late in following her to ask for the money. He wasn't worried, though. He knew she was a regular and would return. Then he made a shocking discovery.
A Letter
Mary was in a terrible state until one day when she received a letter. It was from the restaurant, and it said that their favorite customer had been conspicuously absent at their place, and they offered her a free meal. This was the encouragement she needed to help her get past her grief.
It wasn't easy, but Mary took the bold step and had a meal at the same restaurant alone. It had been three months, and a lot had changed for Mary, but the restaurant stayed the same. It had a friendly atmosphere, and the kitchen's aroma was always inviting. But something was off, and the staff soon realized what was wrong with the 88-year-old woman.
An Old Friend
Mary sat at the table by the window as always, and the restaurant owner sat with her and assured her he would be there for her. He was also old, had been through loss, and had known her for 30 years.
It was a great evening and the beginning of a new chapter in Mary's life. She then slowly returned to her old bubbly self and began visiting the restaurant daily again.
Unexpected News
A week prior, Mary took some routine medical tests. Then the old woman finally received a call from the hospital. It was the test result. She didn't know what to expect and was extremely nervous.
The doctor informed Mary that she had blood cancer. It was as if a knife pierced Mary's heart. She asked how serious it was and how long she had. The doctor told her the cancer was in the final stages, and she had between six months to one year left. The news was soul-crushing.
Change
Mary had that three-month period where she changed a lot and stopped visiting the restaurant. Everything seemed the same in the restaurant that once helped her in her time of great sorrow.
But there was a change in the restaurant actually. It had a new manager who was strict with the staff and didn't know about Mary's history with the establishment. This would lead to an unexpected turn of events.
New Rules
The new manager always had harsh words for the staff and criticized them. It seemed like he didn't like to see them happy and relaxed.
The atmosphere in the restaurant became somber, and a lot of guests even stopped coming in as much as they did before. The once happy staff now came to work with a frown on their faces.
Coming From The Hospital
Mary went to see her doctor to discuss her options in more detail. After the 88-year-old woman visited the hospital, she went straight to the restaurant to try and chase away the bad thoughts. She sat down at her table by the window, and the staff immediately brought in the day's specials.
Mary tried to make small talk, but the manager's eyes were fixed on the staff, so the waiter quickly left her table. The new manager had heard about Mary from the team. They all spoke fondly of her, and he wanted to finally meet her. But it wasn't because he thought she was a wonderful person.
The Real Reason
The manager wanted to see Mary because her unpaid bill was still on the bulletin board, surrounded by hearts and kind words. The staff never asked the old woman to pay it in the end.
The manager approached the old woman and said the restaurant only accepted paying customers. He told her, "it doesn't matter how nice everyone thinks you are. We are not a charity." And he asked her to leave, not knowing what he actually did.
A Note
At that moment, Mary took out a pen and a piece of paper and wrote on it, then placed the note on the table and left without saying a word.
While the server cleared the table, he saw the note the 88-year-old woman had left behind in the black folder. Curious, the waiter opened the note. He screamed when he saw what Mary had written. What did he just read? Mary's words would change everything for the restaurant.
A Final Message
The note Mary left behind was addressed to the restaurant staff, saying, "I've loved coming to this restaurant for over 30 years. I've seen your establishment change everything. Staff left, and new ones came in."
"Even the menu changed a dozen times, but I've always been here. I had such a great time here. Even in bad times, you always supported me." It was a final message from the old lady to the staff of her favorite restaurant.
A Legacy
Mary continued, "now that I am old and I'll pass away soon, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you by leaving a sufficient sum of money for you."
Written at the bottom with a pen was the request that the manager won't get a penny from her money and that she would report him to the owner. Turning the note, the waiter saw the ridiculous amount of 462.1 million bequeathed to the restaurant from the old woman.
An Old Client's Request
The waiter couldn't believe his eyes and handed the note to the owner. He burst into tears as Mary and her dear husband had been like family to him for over 30 years, and he knew in his heart he wasn't going to see her again.
Then after a brief phone call with Mary, the manager was immediately fired. In order to protect the privacy of those depicted, some names, locations, and identifying characteristics have been changed and are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblances to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.