Several heads turned in the first-class rows behind us.

A man in row four lowered his newspaper to stare at the aisle.

I sat down in 2B and pulled the heavy nylon seatbelt across my lap.

Sophie climbed into the window seat and picked up her stuffed rabbit.

She smoothed down her pink cardigan, carefully tracing the plastic buttons with her thumb.

“He’s very loud, Mommy,” Sophie whispered.

“Some people use volume when they lack substance,” I said.

I reached down under my seat to the canvas bag.