PART 1 — ROW FIVE

Jasmine held a peeled orange segment to Aaron’s mouth while sitting in the seat I always used.

Three crew members were already strapped in, and nobody looked surprised.

Aaron took the orange, chewed, and glanced at me.

“You’re late.”

I checked the cabin clock.

It read 8:15.

“I arrived before boarding closed.”

Margaret adjusted the cuff of her jacket and looked past me.

“We should get moving.

Courtesy matters when people are waiting.”

Aaron pointed toward the rear of the aircraft.

“Row five, Alyssa.”

For a second I thought I had heard him wrong.

“Row five?”

“Jasmine needs to stay up here.

We have work to finish.”

Jasmine lowered her hand and set the rest of the orange on a napkin.

“I can move if that’s easier.”