And at events where people looked at my age and clothes before deciding whether I was the engineer, the assistant, or someone who had wandered into the wrong room.
But I had never been publicly questioned about whether I belonged in a seat I'd purchased.
I looked toward Marianne.
"Please ask the gate supervisor to verify the original transaction record."
Her expression hardened.
"Sir, you're delaying boarding."
I glanced toward the aisle.
Passengers were still entering normally.
The line was moving.
No one appeared blocked by our conversation.
I looked back at her.
"Then let's resolve it without creating a problem."
Caroline stepped closer.
For a moment, she stood directly over me.
Then she leaned down.
"I am not standing here another minute while you pretend this seat belongs to you."
I felt her hand close around the front of my hoodie.
I looked down.
Then up at her.
"Please let go of my clothing."
She tightened her grip.
"Get up."
I looked toward Marianne.
"She's grabbing me."
The attendant glanced toward the front of the cabin.
For a moment, she seemed uncertain.
Then said, "Mrs. Prescott, please."
Caroline ignored her.
She pulled the hoodie toward herself.
My coffee cup shifted in my hands.
I tried to steady it.
"Ma'am, stop."
She slapped the cup.
The lid came loose.
Hot coffee spilled across my jeans.
Pain flashed across the skin beneath the wet fabric.
I jerked upward, dropping the nearly empty cup as I tried to move away from the liquid.
Caroline shoved my shoulder.
I stumbled into the aisle.
The cup struck the carpet and rolled beneath the seat.
Several passengers gasped.
A man behind us shouted, "Hey!"
I looked down.
The front of my jeans was soaked.
The coffee had spread across my thighs and knees, leaving irregular stains in the faded denim.
For a moment, I could barely think.
I was embarrassed.
Angry.
And frightened that the liquid might have burned me.
Then I looked up.
Caroline was adjusting her blazer.
She brushed a wrinkle from the sleeve.
And sat down in Seat 2A.
"Finally," she muttered.
Marianne stared.
For one brief second, I thought she would intervene.
Instead, she moved toward the galley.
"Let me find some napkins."
I looked toward her.
"She just assaulted me."
The attendant stopped.
For a moment, her face changed.
Then she said quietly, "Sir, we need to remain calm."
I stared.
"Remain calm?"
She nodded.
"Please."
I looked toward the passengers.
Several were watching.
Two had phones raised.
A man in the third row leaned into the aisle.
"He's right. She hit his cup."
Caroline looked toward him.