— Today I’ll pay for your dream, — the waiter said softly, leaning toward her. — And I hope that when I’m old, there’ll be someone as kind as you by my side.

The hall, which had echoed with laughter just moments earlier, fell silent. People lowered their eyes, ashamed of their behavior.

The old woman simply thanked him, smiled, and slowly walked out of the restaurant, leaving behind a warm silence — in which, for the first time that evening, one could hear the beating of a human heart.