Chapter 1

"We're all retirees living on fixed incomes. How are we supposed to afford meals this expensive? You need to lower your prices."

As the other seniors chimed in, my temper shot through the roof.

How could they even say something like that?

Our community kitchen in Brookdale had some of the most affordable meals in the entire area. I had started the place for one reason—there were so many seniors in the neighborhood living alone, and I wanted them to have a hot, affordable meal whenever they didn't feel like cooking.

I've even given extra discounts to seniors who were struggling financially.

And now Margaret Ackles had the nerve to push for even more, stirring up the other neighbors right in front of me.

"I'm not lowering the price," I said firmly, taking a deep breath.

The seniors behind her fell silent.

My gaze swept past all of them as I continued, "Our meals are 15 dollars for two entrees, a vegetable side, and soup, with unlimited sides. Go to any fast-food place around here and see what you can get for that price. You probably couldn't even get a decent bowl of soup.

"Every day, we buy our cooking oil in bulk from the supermarket. The meat is delivered fresh from the local butcher first thing in the morning, and the vegetables are delivered fresh the same day.

"And because we're serving seniors, we have to cook the meat until it's tender and chop the vegetables into small pieces. You think all that extra work comes for free?

I kept my eyes fixed on Margaret.

"Since this kitchen opened, I haven't made a single dollar from it," I said, enunciating every word. I still have to put several thousand dollars of my own money into it every month just to keep the food affordable and maintain the quality.

"I know I'm doing the right thing. So let me make this clear once and for all—the price isn't going any lower. Eight dollars is the absolute lowest I can go for the discounted meals. If you think that's too expensive, you can buy your own groceries and cook at home."

With that, I stopped arguing with them, took off my employee badge, and headed into the kitchen.

Honestly, I'd always treated these seniors well. During the holidays, I'd give them things like homemade holiday treats and cookies. If someone forgot their wallet, I'd always just smile and tell them to pay me next time.

All I ever wanted was the people in the neighborhood to get along.

I'd thought I'd made my position clear enough that they would let it go.

I was wrong.

…

The next day, I had just arrived at the kitchen when Agatha Laird came running over, drenched in sweat.

"Mateo, we're in big trouble! The seniors are acting like they've completely lost their minds today!

"Several of them deliberately caused trouble while we were serving meals. They took freshly roasted chicken, bit into it once, then spit the pieces back out all over the table. Now there's grease everywhere.

"Dave was even worse. He filled a bowl with free mushroom soup, then didn't drink a single sip. He just spilled the whole thing on the floor, claiming it was an accident."

Agatha was frantic, tears welling up in her eyes.

"That was perfectly good food," she cried. "I don't understand it. They used to be so careful with their food that they'd even pick up a crumb that fell onto the table and eat it. They've never deliberately wasted food like this before."

"I'll handle it," I said with a sigh. "Go take a break in the kitchen and catch your breath."

After calming Agatha down, I finally walked into the dining area.

The moment I opened the door, the stench of grease and spoiled leftovers hit me.

At the tables near the windows sat Margaret and the same friends she'd brought with her.

The tables were covered with half-eaten dinner rolls and chewed-up pieces of chicken. The floor was smeared with spilled soup and crushed bits of food.

Before I could say a word, Margaret picked up a bowl of mushroom soup. Her hand suddenly slipped, and the entire bowl splashed across the freshly cleaned table.

"Oh, dear. Why is this soup so hot?" she said in a sarcastic drawl. "It practically burned my hand. The service here is just terrible!"