“Stop bothering me,” the woman snapped, before Lily could finish. “God, some children have no manners.”
Lily flinched.
“It’s okay, Mom,” she whispered. “I’ll be fine. I can see you from here.”
I hated myself for giving in.
I crouched down to her level, brushing her hair behind her ear.
“Are you sure, baby?”
“I’m sure.”
Every instinct told me not to leave her there. But Noah was fussing, the aisle was blocked, and every second made things worse. I hated myself for giving in.
I kissed her forehead.
“Buckle up, and if you need me, press the call button.”
“I will.”
Lily pressed against the window.
I made my way to row 15, settled Noah against my shoulder, and immediately looked back toward Lily.
I kept my eyes on Lily, hoping the flight attendant would return soon.
The woman in row 12 stretched her legs out into Lily’s foot space and put her headphones back on, satisfied.
