He hesitated.
“Yes.”
“Did you intervene?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Jordan looked toward the floor.
“Lauren was lead.”
Catherine waited.
Jordan continued.
“I didn’t want to challenge her in front of passengers.”
“Did you think what she did was permitted?”
“No.”
The cabin became quiet again.
Catherine’s voice softened.
“Thank you for answering honestly.”
Jordan looked almost relieved.
Then she added:
“Honesty after the fact does not erase the choice.”
His shoulders dropped.
“I understand.”
“You’ll provide a statement.”
“Yes.”
Catherine looked toward the cabin.
“Anyone else who witnessed the incident may give contact information to the gate team if you’re willing.”
Martin Jacobs raised his hand immediately.
“I will.”
The woman two rows behind him did too.
Another passenger said:
“I saw everything.”
Ava whispered:
“They could have said something earlier.”
I looked at her.
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t they?”
“Some people are afraid of becoming involved.”
“That’s not very brave.”
“No.”
I said.
“But courage is easier to admire than to use.”
Ava thought about that.
Dev returned with a sealed meal container from the lounge.
He read the ingredients aloud.
I checked them.
Safe.
He placed the tray in front of me.
“Would you like to remain on this flight?”
Catherine asked.
“Yes.”
“You’re sure?”
I looked around.
The aircraft was scheduled to leave in twenty-eight minutes.
Passengers had connections.
Families.
Appointments.
Plans.
I did not want a cabin full of strangers punished because one employee behaved badly.
“I’m sure.”
A replacement lead attendant was brought aboard.
Her name was Simone Carter.
She approached cautiously.
“Mrs. Brooks, I understand you require a personal-food accommodation.”
I smiled.
“I require lunch.”
Simone smiled back.
“That I can do.”
Then she looked at Ava.
“And I have been told someone here wants hot chocolate.”
Ava looked at me.
“Can I?”
“Yes.”
The mood softened.
Flight 1147 departed thirty-six minutes late.
Catherine did not come with us.
She had meetings in Atlanta and an investigation beginning before our aircraft even pushed back.
Before leaving, she kissed Ava.
Then me.
At the aircraft door, I stopped her.
“Catherine.”
She turned.
“Do not make this about me.”
“I know.”
“No.”
I squeezed her hand.
“I mean it.”
“If the only lesson is that employees should check whether an old woman is related to an executive before mistreating her, then we make the airline worse.”
Catherine’s face softened.
“I know.”
“Good.”
“And do not fire people because you’re angry.”
“I won’t.”
“Investigate.”
“I will.”
Ava called:
“Mom.”
Catherine leaned back into the cabin.
“Yes?”
“I saved the whole video.”
Catherine smiled.
“I know.”
Ava looked proud.
I looked worried.
Perhaps nine was too young to become evidence preservation staff.
Once airborne, I ate.
Plain chicken.