Rachel Thought She Had Misheard
“You want me to switch to 27B?”
The mother smiled apologetically.
“Yes. They separated us when our flight got changed this morning.”
She pointed toward the boy.
“He’s sitting here.”
The boy’s assigned seat was 18B.
Directly beside Rachel.
Rachel immediately understood the problem.
But she still didn’t want to switch.
“I paid extra for this seat.”
The mother’s smile faded slightly.
“I know. I just thought maybe you wouldn’t mind.”
Rachel shook her head.
“Sorry. I chose the window specifically.”
The mother stared at her for a moment.
Then said:
“Okay.”
She did not yell.
She did not insult Rachel.
She simply looked frustrated.
And started walking toward row 27.
That should have been the end of it.
It wasn’t.
