journey attendant Leslie is frightened by a mysterious restroom sound on a cross-country journey. Little does she know that the baby within will transform her life.
Leslie stroked her temple with one hand before her flight. Her pounding headache reminded her of the night she partied at one of Atlanta’s best clubs.
“Amy!” Leslie phoned after seeing her flight attendant. “Please tell me you have some headache pills?”
Amy rolled her eyes at Leslie. “Of course I do, but you should know better than to party the night before a cross-country flight.”
“What else am I supposed to do, visit museums?” Leslie sighed. “At least partying keeps me distracted.”
Leslie boarded the aircraft with Amy after a polite shove.
“One day, everything will work out for you, Leslie,” she added. “Just have faith.”
Leslie and Amy quickly prepared for people to board, performed the safety lesson, and settled everyone in. Last, Leslie snuck to the galley and gulped her headache tablets.
“I wonder if Amy will mind if I lie down in the rest quarters for a bit,” he added. She was about to talk to her coworker when a strange sound stopped her.
Leslie halted, listening intently. She then realized she must’ve dreamt it. Maybe Amy was correct about partying too much. When they arrived in L.A., she intended to attend numerous clubs, although she may take it easy and miss several.
After passing the restroom door, Leslie heard high-pitched mewling again. It had to be a kid weeping since there was no cat on the aircraft.
She knocked on the bathroom door. Her door opened and she peered inside when nobody answered. Another second, she yelled.
Soon after, Leslie understood the quivering bundle that scared her was a boy. Weeping, he gazed up at her.
“Don’t do that!” Little kid shocked Leslie, she said.
“What are you doing in here?”
The youngster cried again, hugging his knees. After her horror, Leslie felt sad for the youngster. She squatted before him.
“Sorry I shouted,” Leslie said. “You scared me. Leslie, who are you?”
The kid sniffed. “My name’s Ben.”
Boy was lifted by Leslie. She let him sit in a crew jump seat while she looked for him on the passenger list. The child probably didn’t like his first flying ride.
Leslie frowned. Her second passenger list search didn’t reveal the boy’s name!
Leslie had been too long without a kid to soothe. She missed home, but now was not the time to worry about it. She sat next to Ben and stroked his arm.
Ben, dear, are you lost? Please tell me where your family is so I can assist.”
Ben sobbed. Leslie Saw him holding a paper bag to his chest. It made her nervous because of all the horrible tales about drugs on planes.
“What’s in the bag, Ben?” Leslie asks.
“It’s Granny’s medicine,” he said. “She’s going to die without this medicine, and it will be all my fault!”
Over the following several hours, Leslie got Ben to tell the complete tale. Youngest son in vast family. Ben wanted to be a scientist, whereas his elder brothers played sports and got into fights.
Ben’s mission to heal all ailments had dramatic negative consequences that his parents didn’t understand. He wanted to make his mother proud and get a hug, but she had him sit in the corner.
“I just want her to look at me with the same love and pride she gives my older brothers when they do well.”
Ben cried. “That’s why I stole the bag of Granny’s medicine.”
When Ben’s grandma was sick, the family visited her in Seattle and brought her medication. Ben was separated from his family at the airport. After seeing his mother again, he followed her onboard the aircraft.
“But she wasn’t my mom,” Ben cried. “I’m on the wrong aircraft. I tried to save Granny by giving her medication, but now I’m terrible. Because of me, she’ll die.”
Leslie notified the authorities when the aircraft landed in Los Angeles. She felt awful for Ben but was ready to move on. Leslie was astonished to learn of Ben’s flying reservations.
She glanced at the youngster she had to care for and share her hotel room with. Fairness was lacking. She’d planned to visit L.A. clubs, but now she had to babysit.
“This is my best present. I hope it’s enough.”
Amy and Brandon, her coworkers, refused to watch Ben despite her repeated texts. She pondered hiring a local babysitter but couldn’t afford it. Saving as much as possible for home was necessary.
The couple were peacefully eating Leslie’s supper pizza when her phone rang. Her stomach fell as she responded and heard what the caller said.
“My baby is sick?” Leslie asks. Mom, what happened? Last time we talked, Joe was doing well. Has he seen a doctor?”
“Yes,” Leslie’s mom said.
She recommended an expert. Our appointment is later this week. Since you’re his mom, they may examine you for a hereditary condition.”
“Whatever it takes, as long as my Joe gets better,” Leslie said.
Leslie balled up and cried after the call. She really wanted to hold her kid, smell his silky, curly hair, and tell him everything will be well.
Unfortunately, Joe was too far away. Over a month had passed since her journey home. She partied and got drunk to forget her son, but her heart still hurt.
“Miss Leslie?” Ben approached and grabbed her arm. “I think you should have these for your Joe.”
The package of pills Ben gave Leslie brought back tears.
“If I can’t save my granny, at least I can help you,” he added. “Take them for Joe so he can be healthy again.”
“I have a better idea.” Leslie typed on her phone. Ben, I’ll take you to your grandma in Seattle. I’ll see my kid in Missoula thereafter.”
Ben’s flying ticket was paid for by Leslie. On her way home, she took leave to join Ben on his trip.
“I’m scared,” Ben said Leslie on their flight. “What if my error kills Granny? Mom won’t love me then.”
Leslie ruffled his hair.
Ben, your mom always loved you and always will. That’s parental behavior. She’s anxious and will be glad you’re safe.”
Even though his family raced to greet him when they landed in Seattle, Ben didn’t believe Leslie. Leslie saw Ben’s mom kiss him and vowed never to neglect him again.
However, Leslie’s family reunion was less pleasant. Joe had turned pale and emaciated since she last saw him, shocking her. He felt weak in her arms.
Leslie remained up late that night discussing Joe’s exams with her parents. She felt powerless, guilty, and overwhelmed.
After bedtime, Leslie sneaked into Joe’s room and cuddled up close to him. She buried her face in his coconut-scented hair and vowed to do whatever it needed to make her kid healthy and happy again.
Joe’s condition didn’t improve over time. The expert couldn’t diagnose the youngster. Meanwhile, he was weakening daily.
Leslie requested more leave days, but the airline wasn’t accommodating. Even though Joe was unwell, they didn’t compensate her for the time off.
Money was scarce after another week of caring for Joe and medical appointments. Leslie’s mother, who received a pension, always depended on Leslie to support Joe as she raised the kid. Women have to decide what to do.
“Maybe I can work here,” Leslie remarked. “Maybe something that pays better.”
“It’s worth looking anyway,” Leslie’s mom said. “If it comes to it, I can sell the house.”
A knock on the door altered everything.
A familiar face greeted Leslie as she answered the door.
“Ben?” The airport family she recognized was with him, she said. “What’s going on?”
“I have something for you and Joe.” Ben gave Leslie an envelope.
The envelope was opened by Leslie. Inside was a check. Leslie was shocked at the quantity.
What’s this? I can’t accept “she mumbled.
“It’s over a hundred thousand dollars!”
“We want you to have it.” Ben’s mom spoke out. “We started a crowdfunding campaign for my mother’s treatment, but she…” “She passed away a few days ago.”
Ben’s father hugged his crying wife.
“We decided together that we should give you the money, for Joe,” Ben said.
“We announced what we planned to do on the crowdfunding campaign too,” Ben’s dad said, “so everything is above board.”
Leslie hugged the check to her breast, crying. “Thanks everyone,” she wailed. “This is my best present. I hope it’s enough.”
Ben rushed to embrace Leslie’s legs. It will be plenty, I’m sure! I’ll play with Joe again when he’s well.”
Leslie brushed the boy’s hair while smiling. “You’ll always be welcome to visit here, Ben.”
The cheque almost met Leslie’s needs. A month later, Joe was back to normal after several physicians and therapies.
Leslie watched him play with the neighbor’s dog on the front yard and couldn’t fathom him not being strong and funny.
“And it’s all thanks to Ben,” she grumbled.
Leslie looked up at the familiar sound of a jet flying above. She’d work again shortly. She also came up with the ideal method to thank Ben’s family for their kindness.
She began calling on her phone. The following day, she contacted Ben’s mom to inform her the airline gave her family a substantial discount on all tickets for life.