“Stay right here, Leo,” I said, and I was startled by how flat and steady my own voice came out.

“Keep your headphones on.

I’ll be right back.” I slipped the headphones over his ears myself, gently, so that whatever came next, he would not have to hear it.

Then I unbuckled, stood, and walked up the narrow aisle toward the front of the plane.

Passengers were still craning toward first class, smiling, searching for the lucky woman, and I moved through their happiness like a ghost.

At row three I saw her.