“Some personal correspondence, photographs, and copies of a few old reports. Nothing confidential that I know of.”
“Then I'll speak with my husband first.”
Evelyn nodded.
“Of course.”
She took a business card from her handbag and placed it on the empty seat between them.
“My direct number is on the back.”
Danielle picked it up.
“Thank you.”
Evelyn looked toward Maya.
“And I'm sorry I treated you so poorly.”
Maya studied her for a moment.
“You should've moved your coat.”
Evelyn gave a small, embarrassed smile.
“Yes. I should have.”
Maya nodded.
“Okay.”
Evelyn stepped into the aisle and moved toward the exit.
Danielle watched her go.
The woman who had boarded the plane believing she deserved the entire row now walked with her shoulders slightly hunched, her handbag held close to her side.
When the cabin had mostly emptied, Danielle stood carefully and adjusted the baby carrier. Maya slipped her backpack onto her shoulders and took her mother's free hand.
They stepped into the jet bridge.
The airport smelled of coffee, floor polish, and the faint metallic scent of aircraft ventilation. Travelers moved in both directions, pulling rolling suitcases and checking their phones.
At the end of the jet bridge, Terrence stood near the arrivals barrier.
He wore a dark blue jacket and gray trousers, and his face brightened the instant he saw his family.
Danielle felt a wave of relief so powerful that she almost cried.
“Dad!” Maya called.
Terrence opened his arms, and Maya hurried toward him. He hugged her carefully, then leaned toward Danielle and kissed her forehead.
“Are you okay?”
Danielle nodded.
“We're okay.”
He looked at the baby.
“And how's my little traveler?”
The newborn slept peacefully against Danielle's chest.
“Better than the rest of us,” she replied.
Terrence smiled, but his expression changed when he noticed the business card in her hand.
“Did you talk to Evelyn?”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
Danielle glanced toward Maya.
“It's a long story.”
Terrence looked at his daughter.
“Did she behave?”
Maya made a face.
“Not at first.”
Danielle gave a short laugh.
“She refused to move her coat from Maya's seat. She insulted us, pressured me to move, and then Maya found a photograph of you in her wallet.”
Terrence's smile vanished.
“She had the photograph?”
“Yes.”
Maya nodded.
“And she said you helped her mother's convoy.”
Terrence looked toward the terminal exit, thinking.
“She told you that?”