That was fine.
I walked down the jet bridge carrying my backpack and coffee.
The aircraft door stood open.
A flight attendant greeted me.
She was a middle-aged Black woman with short natural hair, a warm smile, and a Crestline uniform.
"Good morning. Welcome aboard."
I nodded.
"Morning."
She glanced at my coffee.
"Would you like a napkin?"
For a moment, I felt a strange surge of emotion.
It was almost exactly what Nina asked me the morning of the confrontation.
I smiled.
"Yes, please."
She handed me one.
"Here you go."
I thanked her.
Then walked toward the second row.
Seat 2A was empty.
I placed my backpack overhead.
Lowered myself into the cream leather seat.
And looked out the window.
For several seconds, I remained still.
Then I took a slow sip of coffee.
Nothing happened.
No wealthy woman appeared demanding my seat.
No flight attendant questioned whether I belonged.
No gate supervisor arrived with a mysterious reassignment.
It was just an ordinary Tuesday morning aboard an aircraft preparing to depart.
I hadn't realized how much I wanted that.
A few minutes later, a man sat in the aisle seat beside me.
He appeared to be in his late sixties, with a weathered face and a worn leather jacket.
He looked at my hoodie.
Then smiled.
"Comfortable way to fly."
I laughed.
"That's the idea."
He nodded.
"Wish I could convince my wife. She says I should dress like I'm going to church whenever I get on a plane."
I smiled.
"Mine would probably say the opposite."
The man laughed.
Then glanced at my coffee.
"Mind if I ask where you got that?"
I told him the shop near the gate.
He nodded.
"Thanks."
For several minutes, we talked about ordinary things.
Chicago weather.
The price of airport coffee.
And how much more complicated air travel seemed compared with the days when he first started flying.
He introduced himself as Arthur.
He was a retired electrician visiting his daughter in Georgia.
When he learned I worked in aviation, he became curious.
"What do you do?"
I hesitated.
Then answered.
"I help run the airline."
He laughed.
"Must keep you busy."
I smiled.
"It does."
He shook his head.
"Well, tell whoever's in charge that the people working the gate this morning did a good job. My wife's been telling me for years that airlines never explain anything."
I looked toward him.
"Did something happen?"
He nodded.
"Not to me. Couple up front had a seating problem. The staff sorted it out and didn't make anybody feel foolish."