I stared at her.
“You want me to leave my ten-year-old up here alone? With her?”
“Some children have no manners.”
“I know, ma’am. The moment that seatbelt sign is off, I’ll come back and fix this. I promise. We’ll process a partial refund after landing. Please.”
The woman in row 12 smirked without looking up.
“Why should I move? She’s the one traveling with all that.”
She flicked a manicured finger toward Noah like he was an oversized carry-on. He whimpered against my collarbone, sensing the tension.
I bent to pick up Noah’s blanket from the floor near her feet. As I stood, my hand brushed the seat, but Noah fussed against my chest, and I didn’t think about anything else.
“I’ll be fine.”
Lily tugged my sleeve.
“Mom, wait. I think something…”
She almost never interrupted adults. For a split second, I wondered what could possibly be so important.
