The color drained from the woman’s face.
“In case of refusal, the airport police will be requested to meet the plane after landing, in order to allow the case to be investigated.”
The assistant kept his gaze fixed on her.
“Please, in your pocket.”
“Excuse me? Why on earth would I do that?”
“Several passengers saw you bending down to pick something up before takeoff.”
“You definitely put something in your pocket.”
The man sitting across from him cleared his throat, the same thoughtful expression he had shown before now turning to certainty.
“I kept thinking about it. I thought you were just sorting out your bag, but the more I thought about it, the more certain I was that you had put something in your jacket.”
The woman behind leaned into the corridor.
“I saw it too. You definitely had something in your pocket.”
Lily silently took the ring.
All eyes turned to row 12.
The woman in row 12 stammered, her hand hovering near her coat.
“That’s ridiculous. I don’t have to do it.”
“Ma’am,” the flight attendant repeated. “Please.”
Slowly, he slipped his hand into his pocket. His fingers gripped my gold wedding ring.
“We will file a report upon landing.”
A slight gasp ran through the cabin. I stepped forward, and Lily silently took the ring from the woman’s trembling hand and placed it in mine.
“It must have fallen in there,” the woman muttered. “I didn’t even notice.”
“Please gather your things,” said the flight attendant. “For the rest of the flight, you will be sitting in the back of the plane. We will file a report upon landing.”
Someone in row 14 started clapping. Then another passenger joined in, and then another, until the entire cabin was applauding my daughter.
“I was just doing what you would have done, Mom.”
I took my assigned seat, held Lily close, and put the ring back on my finger.
“How did you know?”
Lily shrugged.
“I was just doing what you would have done, Mom.”
I kissed the top of her head, pulling Noah close to me. My ten-year-old had shown me a courage I’d forgotten I possessed.
And somewhere up there in the clouds, I promised myself I would never underestimate her again.
