Dirt-Poor Barefoot Granny Enters Posh Restaurant and Sits at the Richest Couple’s Table – Story of the Day

Emily sat with another boring date at the town’s poshest restaurant when an old barefoot woman walked in, causing a stir. After noting her distress, she stopped the employees from kicking her out and heard the most heartbreaking story.

Her eyes rolled out of their own volition for what felt like the six hundredth time. Emily’s most recent date, Nathaniel, rambled about his boats, horses, and real estate collection. He was precisely the kind of man her parents wanted her to marry, but she was unimpressed.

She had been around money her entire life. Emily came from old money, the kind of powerful money that never ends, so she met many men like Nathaniel, who thought they were gifts to the world. He felt his success was all thanks to his wit instead of his luck.

It’s not that Emily hated money. Obviously not. She took advantage of her privileges all the time, like getting a last-minute reservation at the fanciest restaurant in town without much work. However, she didn’t want an empty life that focused solely on what vacations you took or how many expensive things you bought.

When Nathaniel finally finished discussing his last boating expedition, she asked, “What do you think about the current recession?”

“Huh? Well, it won’t affect us, except finally, we can get lazy people back into the office. Corporate real estate will be back on top…” Nathaniel ranted, and Emily dissociated again until a commotion at the door caught her attention.

“Please, I just want some fries!” an old woman begged. Emily’s eyes zeroed in on her bare feet and frowned.

The staff was displeased. The woman wore cheap clothing, and being barefoot was unacceptable at any restaurant. So they tried to escort her out, but something in Emily’s heart told her to stand up. It may have been Nathaniel’s elitist rant.

“Wait a second,” she said to the waiter, who was just kicking the woman out of the restaurant. “What’s going on?”

“Ms. Paladino, we’re extremely sorry. We’ll get this woman out of here immediately,” the hostess fidgeted worriedly.

“You can’t do that,” Emily said. “She’s with me.”

The staff’s eyes widened as Emily gestured for the woman to join her table. Nathaniel’s face turned red in outrage.

“What are you doing, Emily?” he demanded, whispering although the old woman could hear him.

“I’m inviting this woman to sit with us. Is that a problem?” she asked sweetly. The older woman introduced herself as Martha.

“Yes, it is!” Nathaniel replied, throwing his cloth napkin on the table and rising quickly.

“Bye!” she waved at him as she sat down. Her mischievous grin turned sympathetic and kind as she looked at the distressed older woman. “Now, what’s going on? Can you tell me why you’re here? And why you’re barefoot.”

“Oh, madam. You didn’t have to invite me to your table and anger your date,” Martha shook her head. “I just wanted some fries for my grandson.”

“Well, that can certainly be arranged,” Emily looked pointedly at one of the hovering waiters.

“I have money to pay for it,” the old woman continued. “He’s just been so sick, and I can’t get him to eat anything. He told me he only wants some fries. I sold my shoes to a man walking by who gave me enough for some.”

“May I ask, why not go to a fast food place?” Emily said gently.

“Well, this place was closer. It’s too hot outside to walk much farther without shoes. And it’s a restaurant, right? If you have money, you can buy anything. That’s how our world works? Right?” Martha answered.

Emily’s smile tightened. She knew that wasn’t the case. The woman continued telling her story. She and her grandson had been living on the streets for a few years since her daughter died, and they couldn’t afford rent because no one would hire her.

The rich woman’s mouth felt dry. Several minutes ago, she had been bored to death by Nathaniel’s idiotic conversation. But she lived in that world, too, not realizing the pain that others were going through every single day.

Her eyes watered as she leaned her body and reached for her shoes. “First, take my shoes. You can’t walk around barefoot,” Emily said, trying to hold herself together.

“No, let me give her my shoes,” another patron at the restaurant had approached their table.

Emily noted with wide eyes that everyone had been looking at them and heard the entire conversation. All of them had their shoes in their hands. It was the oddest display she had ever seen. Most people didn’t care about the struggles of others. They didn’t think about it. But in this one instance, she felt hope for the world.

Emily gave them all nods, but ultimately, the woman put on her shoes – a simple pair of ballerina flats. The other guests put their shoes back on but collected money and gave it to the older woman. The waiter came with an order of fries packed in a box and a few other boxes with more food.

They apologized to the older woman. Emily knew no one would’ve been that nice or sympathetic if she hadn’t acted in Martha’s defense. Still, she had to do more for them.

“Let’s go see your grandson, Martha,” she said after paying the bill.

Emily helped Martha get her grandson admitted into a hospital and ensured they would give him as many fries as he wanted during his stay. She later offered them an apartment on one of her properties for free and got Martha a job stacking produce at one of her supermarkets.

Afterward, Emily started a charitable foundation to help others, understanding that change can only happen when powerful people like her take action. She never went on a date with another Nathaniel type again.

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If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a poor woman who was laughed at for entering a fancy restaurant, but a young man stepped in.

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