“Is Simone on this plane?”
Natalie’s eyes flicked toward the front cabin.
There.
That was the answer.
“Where?”
“I really can’t—”
“Please.”
She looked at Caleb again.
“Seat 3A.”
First class.
Of course.
I unfastened my seat belt.
Natalie immediately stood.
“Ma’am, we are in flight.”
“I want to see her.”
“You can’t confront another passenger.”
“I only want to look.”
She blocked the aisle gently but firmly.
“Please stay seated.”
For a moment, rage burned through every rational thought.
Then Caleb whispered, “Mom.”
I looked down.
He was scared.
Not of Darius.
Not of Simone.
Of me.
So I sat.
I would not make my son watch his mother lose control inside an airplane.
But I made myself a promise.
The moment those doors opened in Atlanta, somebody was going to tell me the truth.
Darius must have learned we were aboard before landing.
When the plane reached the gate, passengers began standing.
