Talia watched the waiter bring a plate and said, 'Finally, my pancakes' in a quiet diner. Balloons bobbed near the front door. The waiter set down a sign that clearly read, 'This table is reserved for a birthday party.' She believed this was her table because she sat first. A group gathered outside, laughing. So she started eating anyway, certain no one would mind. She didn't look up from the syrup.