I’m Lila, 22, hard of hearing. My best friend Riley is deaf. One afternoon at our usual café, we were signing and laughing when a woman stormed over and told us to stop. She called our conversation “disruptive” and “inappropriate,” claiming it distracted her son — who had been quietly mimicking our signs with childlike curiosity.

We calmly explained we were using sign language, our natural way to communicate, but she doubled down with anger and ignorance. Riley shrank; I burned with disbelief. That’s when James, a waiter, stepped in. He defended us firmly, saying the only disruption was her prejudice. The room rallied behind him — the café, once tense, erupted in quiet applause.

Her son, Nathan, hesitated as she dragged him away. Then he turned to us and signed, “Sorry,” and asked how to say “friend.” Riley showed him. He signed it again before the door closed. It was a small, brave act that meant everything.

James brought us cookies on the house. A nearby woman thanked us for sharing our beautiful language. As the sun lit the sidewalk outside, Riley asked, “Same time next week?” I smiled. “No matter who’s watching.” Sometimes, all it takes is one gesture to begin growing empathy.