I let it ring.

Then Aaron.

Then Aaron again.

I watched his name appear, disappear, and return.

Ordinarily, I would have answered immediately.

I would have tried to explain that leaving the aircraft wasn’t meant to embarrass him.

I would have assured him that I wasn’t angry with Jasmine, that I understood the importance of his work, and that we could discuss the seating arrangements privately.

I had become remarkably skilled at apologizing for other people’s decisions.