The Customer Justine staggered from the kitchen, balancing four plates at once, anxious not to trip over in front of everyone. Bernard, her uncle who also owned the café, had withheld her pay the last time it happened. He wasn't unkind out of habit, but mistakes were simply not tolerated. On nights like tonight, when business was in full swing, his mood always seemed cheerful. Only when they closed up for the evening would he line everyone up and point out any mistakes with much shouting and hand waving. Weaving between tables in the bright little café, Justine smiled as she deposited each plate of steaming food in front of the customers.