All I wanted was a peaceful flight with my baby granddaughter after the hardest months of my life. Instead, a stranger decided to make us the center of her online show. I thought moving her away would end the trouble. But something a few rows ahead changed everything.
“Hey, everyone! Lady Liza here, and you won’t believe what I’m dealing with today!”
The woman beside me pointed her phone at my face.
My granddaughter, Lily, was crying in my arms.
“Please don’t film her,” I said.
Liza laughed.
“Please don’t film her.”
“I’ll show everyone who ruined my flight!”
I moved Lily away from the camera.
“She’s only six months old. I’m trying to settle her.”
“Well, try harder!”
“I’ll show everyone who ruined my flight!”
I reached for the flight attendant’s call button.
Liza noticed.
“Go ahead. I’ll record that too.”
I pressed it anyway.
Three months earlier, my son Duncan and his wife, Gwen, had died in an accident.
I pressed it anyway.
Lily was only three months old.
At 72, I’d suddenly become responsible for bottles, diapers, and midnight feedings again.
I loved that little girl more than anything.
But I was exhausted.
Lily was only three months old.
My sister, Gina, finally called one evening and announced that we were coming to stay with her.
“You need a break, Susan.”
“I can’t exactly take a vacation from a baby.”
“Then bring the baby. I’ve got two perfectly good arms.”
“Gina, I can manage.”
“You need a break, Susan.”
“I’m sure you can. But you don’t have to prove it every day.”
She’d always been annoyingly good at winning arguments.
A week later, I booked our flight.
Gina called the night before we left.
I booked our flight.
“Have you packed everything?”
“I’ve got enough diapers to survive a week without civilization.”
“And something for yourself?”
I looked at my half-empty suitcase.
“Does a toothbrush count?”
“Have you packed everything?”
“Susan, I’m serious. You’re allowed to need things too.”
Lily was asleep when we boarded.
I had her against my shoulder, a diaper bag slipping down my arm, and a purse that seemed determined to fall open.
“Would you like some help?”
“You’re allowed to need things too.”
A flight attendant smiled at me.
“I’m Amy. Let me take that bag while you get settled.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. I seem to have packed everything except the kitchen sink.”
Amy laughed.
“You’ve got an excellent travel companion.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
“She’s better company when she’s asleep.”
Amy helped me put the diaper bag beneath the seat and made sure I had what I needed.
“If you need anything, just call.”
“I’ll manage.”
“She’s better company when she’s asleep.”
“I know you will,” she said. “The offer still stands.”
As she moved away, I noticed a woman several rows ahead placing a small gift box on the empty seat beside her.
Behind me, someone was speaking loudly on the phone.
“Tomorrow’s event is going to be huge. Some of the organizers are flying in today. They’re featuring me, obviously.”
“The offer still stands.”
A young woman appeared beside my row.
She had long hair, perfect makeup, and a handbag that looked more expensive than my suitcase.
She ended her call and sat beside me.
Her eyes went straight to Lily.
She ended her call.
“Please tell me that baby won’t cry the whole flight.”
“She’s usually quite good.”
“Good. I’ve got an important event tomorrow.”
She put on her headphones.
I settled Lily against my chest and hoped she’d sleep until we landed.
“She’s usually quite good.”
Unfortunately, she had other plans.
Shortly after takeoff, Lily woke crying.
I rocked her gently and offered her bottle.
She drank a little, then pushed it away.
Lily woke crying.
I suspected the change in pressure was bothering her ears.
“It’s all right, sweetheart,” I whispered. “Grandma’s here.”
The woman beside me sighed.
“Oh my God. Seriously? Can you somehow shut that baby up?”
“I’m trying, sweetheart. I’m so sorry.”
“Grandma’s here.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Did I pay to listen to a baby screaming in my ear? Do whatever you want, just shut her up!”
