Avery continued.
“I hate when people say terrible things happen for a reason.”
“So do I.”
“Margaret didn't need to hit me for Meridian to become better.”
“We should have been better already.”
Tamara nodded.
Avery looked at her.
“And I wish what happened to you never happened.”
“Even though it helped change training?”
“Especially.”
Tamara smiled.
“Good answer.”
Avery laughed.
“High standards.”
“You deserve them.”
They watched another aircraft lift into the evening sky.
Tamara said:
“You know what still bothers me?”
“What?”
“If Margaret had simply moved seats when Melissa scanned the pass, none of this would have happened.”
Avery nodded.
“She could have gone to 3D.”
“Good seat?”
“Excellent.”
Tamara shook her head.
“Whole empire nearly burned over 2A.”
Avery smiled.
“Humans are impressive.”
They laughed.
Then Tamara became serious.
“It was never the seat.”
“No.”
“It was being told no.”
Avery looked at her.
Tamara continued.
“Some people can handle losing money better than losing hierarchy.”
Avery considered that.
“You should have been the CEO.”
“No.”
Tamara laughed.
“I enjoy sleeping.”
Avery retired fully at seventy-seven.
She moved to a smaller house near Savannah.
Not small objectively.
Smaller by billionaire standards.
Her mornings became quieter.
Coffee.
Newspapers.
Calls from former employees pretending they did not want advice.
Occasional board lectures.
Her father’s old photographs lined one hallway.
The tan handbag remained in her closet.
Not in a museum.
Not anymore.
She had asked for it back.
One morning her granddaughter Maya found it.
She was fourteen.
“What happened to this corner?”
Avery looked.
The old scrape.
“Long story.”
Maya grinned.
“Flight 417?”
Avery stared.
“How do you know about that?”
“The internet exists, Grandma.”
“Unfortunately.”
Maya picked up the bag carefully.
“Is this really it?”
“Yes.”
“The woman threw it?”
“Yes.”
“And hit you with a champagne glass?”
“Yes.”
“Did you hit her back?”
“No.”
Maya looked disappointed.
Avery laughed.
“What?”
“I don't know.”
“It would be satisfying.”
“Briefly.”
“Mom says you could have bought the airline she flew next if you wanted.”
“I already owned the airline.”
“You know what I mean.”
Avery smiled.
Maya put the bag down.
“Were you mad because she was racist?”
Avery considered the question.
“Yes.”
“But also because she was entitled.”
“Yes.”
“And violent.”
“Yes.”
Maya frowned.
“Which was worst?”
Avery thought for a long time.