Just when things felt unbearable, James, a waiter, stepped in. “Ma’am, the only disturbance is you,” he said. “We welcome everyone here. We don’t tolerate discrimination.” Applause broke out across the café. As she dragged her son out, he turned back, signed “I’m sorry,” and asked how to sign “friend.” Riley showed him. James later brought us cookies on the house. “My sister’s deaf,” he said. “I get it.”
That moment—of kindness, of allyship, of a boy choosing compassion over ignorance—stayed with us. Maybe we can’t change everyone. But we can choose to show up, sign boldly, and remind the world that inclusion speaks volumes.