And Naomi ordered a more comfortable armrest configuration.
They made several other adjustments.
A slightly different seat depth.
Improved lumbar support.
Lighting that reduced glare.
And an easier way to reach personal storage without awkwardly twisting in the seat.
When the final cabin was completed, Naomi invited her mother aboard.
Evelyn stood in the doorway for nearly a minute.
She looked around.
At the cream leather.
The polished walnut.
The elegant ivory ceiling.
And the enormous windows overlooking the airport ramp.
Her eyes filled.
"Naomi."
Her daughter smiled.
"What?"
Evelyn shook her head.
"This is beautiful."
Naomi reached for her hand.
"Come sit."
She led her mother to the forward cream leather seat.
Evelyn lowered herself into it.
Then laughed.
"Oh, this is comfortable."
Naomi smiled.
"Good."
Her mother examined the embroidered initials near the headrest.
E.E.
She looked up.
"What's that?"
Naomi smiled.
"Your initials."
Evelyn stared.
Then looked toward the other seats.
Several carried the same discreet emblem.
Her eyes filled.
"Why?"
Naomi knelt beside her.
"Because twenty-four years ago, you told me to remember the people who make airplanes fly."
Evelyn pressed one hand against her mouth.
Naomi continued.
"And because you spent half your life making sure other people had beautiful flights."
She paused.
"I wanted you to have one too."
Her mother began crying.
Naomi embraced her.
For a long moment, they remained beside the window while ground vehicles moved across the airport apron.
Then Evelyn pulled back.
She looked toward her daughter.
"Baby?"
"Yes?"
"Promise me something else."
Naomi laughed through her tears.
"Another promise?"
"Yes."
"All right."
Evelyn looked around the magnificent cabin.
"Don't let this airplane become a place where people forget how to be kind."
Naomi's expression softened.
"I won't."
Her mother nodded.
Then smiled.
"And tell whoever cleans this thing that I know how much work it takes."
Naomi laughed.
"I will."
That was the jet Richard Vance boarded three years later.
The aircraft he believed he had the authority to protect from someone he mistook for a waitress.
The aircraft whose most beautiful seat had been designed for a woman who used to supervise airport catering.