When I asked the waiter for my ticket, he pointed to an empty table and said they had paid my tab.
That’s a first. A student bought me dinner. Anonymously.
Wasn’t sure how to respond. Should I send her a thank you note? Write a comment at the bottom of her essay—next to the grade?
“You must get your criteria in the thesis statement. 65—Oh, and thanks for dinner!”
I felt sheepish, awkward, embarrassed.
But, also, noticed, appreciated, surprised.
Well, I put the note on her essay. “I’ve paid for a lot of student meals,” I wrote, “but never had one buy mine. You made my day.”
And it didn’t look too awkward placed alongside her 92.