Needing answers, Clara pressed the flight attendant call button. The woman appeared within thirty seconds, which told Clara she had been actively waiting for the signal. “Can I get you something?” the attendant asked. Her voice was completely normal, polite, and professional. If anyone was watching from across the aisle, they would have thought she was just offering a routine water refill. But her eyes were screaming.
“I got your note,” Clara said quietly, keeping her voice barely above a whisper. “What is this?” The woman’s expression didn’t shift at all. She didn’t answer. “Is there anything else I can get you? I’ll be right back with that.” She turned around and walked purposefully toward the galley at the back of the plane.
Clara sat there for an agonizing second, swallowed hard, and unbuckled her seatbelt. Terrified of what might happen if she didn’t obey, she stood up and walked down the aisle.