Adrian’s attention sharpened.
“Who told you?”
She looked at him as though a piece of furniture had asked a question.
“My travel office.”
“Who at the airline?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Actually—”
Meredith stepped between them.
“Mr. Brooks, please.”
Adrian stopped.
He was increasingly aware of passengers watching.
A young woman seated in 3D had raised her phone.
Not pointing directly.
But clearly recording.
Meredith leaned closer.
“Can we speak privately?”
“Sure.”
She moved toward the galley.
Adrian followed two steps.
Then Ms. Caldwell said loudly:
“Honestly, I don't understand why this is difficult.”
He turned.
She looked at his hoodie again.
“Some people just don't know how to accept when a mistake has been made.”
Adrian said:
“There has been a mistake.”
She smiled.
“Exactly.”
“And you're sitting in it.”
A few passengers laughed.
Ms. Caldwell's face hardened.
Meredith whispered:
“Sir.”
Adrian raised one hand.
“I'm done.”
He stepped back toward 2A.
“I’ll wait until you verify the manifest.”
Ms. Caldwell stood abruptly.
For one second Adrian thought she was finally moving.
Instead she picked up her coffee.
Walked toward him.
And shoved his boarding pass hand downward with her free hand.
The phone nearly slipped.
“What is wrong with you?”
she snapped.
Adrian looked at her.
“Don't touch me.”
Meredith stepped closer.
“Ms. Caldwell—”
The woman laughed.
“Oh, please.”
Then the coffee tipped.
Whether intentional or not, Adrian never knew with certainty.
Later, three passengers would say she flicked her wrist.
Ms. Caldwell would insist Adrian bumped her.
The cup struck the front of his hoodie.
Hot coffee splashed across the brown fabric and ran down onto his jeans.
Adrian jerked backward.
A few drops hit his hand.
Not enough to burn seriously.
Enough to sting.
The cabin went silent.
Ms. Caldwell looked at the stain.
Then at him.
“Oh.”
No apology.
Just:
“Oh.”
The young woman in 3D raised her phone fully now.
Another passenger did the same.
Meredith’s face went pale.
“Sir, let me get you a towel.”
Adrian looked at Ms. Caldwell.
“Did you do that intentionally?”
She scoffed.
“Don't be ridiculous.”
“You moved the cup toward me.”
“You were crowding me.”
“I was standing still.”
“You were aggressive.”
Adrian stared.
There was that word.
Aggressive.
He had spoken quietly the entire time.
Kept his hands visible.
Moved when asked.
Waited.
And now he was aggressive.
Meredith grabbed napkins.
“Please.”
She offered them.
Adrian took them.
“Thank you.”
He blotted the front of his hoodie.
Ms. Caldwell returned toward the seat.
As though the matter were over.
Adrian stopped her.