My Sister Said, ‘We Don’t Feed Extras,’ As She Gave My Son Water While Her Kids Ate Lobster…

The Reservation at Meridian

The reservation at Meridian was for 7:00, prime time for the restaurant. Every table was full, the dining room buzzed with conversation, and the kitchen ran at full capacity.

My sister Claire had picked the location. “It’s the best seafood in the city,” she texted.

“Perfect for a family dinner. You’ll love it.”

I’d said nothing, just confirmed we’d be there. My son Tyler, 14 years old and growing out of every shirt I bought him, sat beside me in the booth.

Across from us, Claire’s twin daughters, Sophia and Emma, both 16, were already looking at the menu with the confidence of people who ate at expensive restaurants regularly. My mother sat at the head of the table, reading glasses perched on her nose as she studied the wine list.

“The Maine lobster is supposed to be incredible here,” Claire said, not looking up from her menu.

“Fresh flown in daily. Girls, you should try the lobster platter. It comes with drawn butter and everything.”

“Can I get that too?” Tyler asked, looking at the menu description.

“It sounds really good.”

The Guests of Honor

Claire glanced at him, then at me, then back at her menu. “That’s a bit expensive for… well, you know.”

“For what?” I asked calmly.

“For everyone, I mean. We’re celebrating Sophia and Emma getting into their top college choices. This dinner is really for them. Everyone else should probably order more modestly.”

Tyler looked confused. “But you just told them to get the lobster.”

“They’re the guests of honor, sweetie. Different situation.”

The server arrived, a young woman named Ashley whose name tag I recognized because I’d approved her hiring three months ago. She didn’t acknowledge me beyond a professional smile, which was exactly what I trained the staff to do when I was dining as a guest.

“Good evening, everyone. Can I start you with drinks?”

Claire ordered a bottle of Chardonnay for the table. Mom ordered a martini. The twins both ordered sparkling water with lemon.

“And for you, young man?” Ashley asked Tyler.

Before he could answer, Claire interrupted. “Just tap water for him. Regular glass, nothing fancy.”

Tyler’s face fell slightly, but he didn’t argue. Ashley wrote it down and left.

Main Characters and Extras

“Claire, that was rude,” I said quietly.

“What? I’m trying to keep costs reasonable. You know how expensive these places are.”

“You just ordered a $75 bottle of wine for the celebration.”

“Look, Amanda, not everyone needs the full treatment. Some people are here to celebrate, and some people are just extras.”

Tyler stared at his empty place setting. “Extras?” I repeated.

“You know what I mean. Like in a movie, some people are the main characters, some are supporting cast, and some are just background extras. They’re there, but they’re not really part of the story.”

Mom set down her menu. “Claire’s right, Amanda. Tyler should understand his place at this dinner. It’s about the girls and their achievement. Not everyone gets to be the center of attention.”

Ashley returned with the drinks. She placed the wine glasses carefully, poured for Mom and Claire, set down the sparkling waters for the twins, then pulled out a simple water glass, the kind we use for tap water, and slid it across the table to Tyler.

Not placed, slid, like he’d slide a bowl to a dog. Tyler picked it up without looking at anyone.

We Don’t Feed Extras

“Are we ready to order?” Ashley asked.

“Yes,” Claire said.

“The girls will both have the Maine lobster platter with drawn butter and garlic roasted potatoes. I’ll have the sea bass. Mom, the scallops, please.”

Ashley wrote it all down then looked at me. “And for you?”

“The lobster platter as well, please.”

“Excellent choice. And for the young man?”

Claire answered before Tyler could open his mouth. “He’s fine with the water. We’re not ordering for him.”

Ashley’s pen paused over her notepad. “I’m sorry, nothing at all?”

“We don’t feed extras,” Claire said as casually as if she were commenting on the weather.

“He can eat at home later.”

Ashley looked at me. I saw the recognition in her eyes; she knew who I was and she knew this was wrong, but she was professional enough to wait for my direction.

I smiled at Claire and noted. “What does that mean?” Claire asked.

“It means I heard you. Please continue.”

Ashley took our menus and left. Tyler sat very still beside me, staring at his water glass. Across the table, Sophia and Emma looked uncomfortable but said nothing.

The Flow of Conversation

The appetizers arrived, oysters for the table, which Claire had ordered without asking. Tyler watched everyone else eat. I didn’t touch mine.

“Amanda, you’re not eating,” Mom observed.

“I’m not hungry.”

“Suit yourself. More for the rest of us.”

The conversation flowed around Tyler like he wasn’t there. Claire talked about the girls’ college plans; both had gotten into prestigious East Coast schools.

Mom praised their achievements. The twins basked in the attention. Tyler drank his water and said nothing.

When the entrée arrived, Ashley placed the lobster platters in front of Claire’s daughters with a quiet description of each component. The sea bass for Claire, the scallops for Mom, and my lobster platter, which I still had no intention of touching.

And nothing for Tyler. He watched his cousins crack open their lobster tails, dip the white meat in drawn butter, and take their first bites while making appreciative sounds.

“Oh my God, this is amazing,” Sophia said.

“Mom, you have to try this,” Emma added, offering Claire a bite.

Claire took it, savored it, and nodded. “Worth every penny.”

Tyler took another sip of water.

The Owner of Meridian

That’s when I saw Chef Michael emerge from the kitchen. He always did a walkthrough during prime hours, checking on tables and ensuring everything met his standards.

He was heading our direction. I stood up as he approached. “Chef,” I said loud enough for nearby tables to hear.

“Could you join us for a moment?”

Michael looked surprised but approached. “Of course. Is everything satisfactory?”

“The food is excellent as always, but I wanted to introduce you to my family. My sister Claire, my mother Patricia, my nieces Sophia and Emma, and this is my son Tyler.”

Michael greeted everyone politely then looked at me with a question in his eyes.

“Michael has been the head chef here at Meridian for almost two years,” I said to the table.

“He’s extremely talented. We’re lucky to have him.”

“Thank you,” Michael said carefully.

“The restaurant has been very successful.”

“It should be. I invested quite a lot to make sure it would be.”

I smiled at Claire. “Actually, I should clarify. I don’t just invest in Meridian. I own it. Purchased it outright 18 months ago. Michael reports to me, as does everyone working tonight.”

The table went silent. Claire’s fork stopped halfway to her mouth. “What?”

“I own this restaurant. The building, the business, the entire operation. When you made this reservation, Claire, you made it at my establishment.”

Mom set down her wine glass. “Amanda, is this true?”

“Completely true. I own Meridian. I also own two other restaurants in the city, The Harbor View and Lucius. This is my business.”