“This is my treat!”

“What’ll it be?” asked the waiter at the diner after I was seated with my two sons and two nephews, all under 10 years old. “I want a cheeseburger and fries,” my son said, and the others chimed in, “Me, too! Me, too!” We were waiting at the diner while I was having a new set of tires installed at the garage next door. When I thought about how much the tires would cost, I told him, “Four small Cokes, please, and a cup of black coffee.” But 10 minutes later, he was at our table with our drinks—and a tray of burgers and fries. “You misunderstood,” I said. “I only ordered drinks.” “I heard you,” he said with a smile, as he placed a plate in front of each boy and a slice of apple pie before me. “This is my treat!” The boys and I were so thankful! —Frances Gates, Columbia, SC