I spotted the flight attendant approaching from the rear of the cabin.
I raised my hand.
“Excuse me. Could I ask you something?”
“Of course, ma’am.”
“Would it be possible to change seats?”
Her expression became concerned.
“Is something wrong?”
I swallowed.
Then finally told her the truth.
“The gentleman sitting beside me has been repeatedly pushing into my space. I’ve asked him several times to stop, but my hip has been hurting for hours.”
She glanced at Josh’s empty seat.
“Where is he now?”
“In the restroom. I thought this might be a good opportunity to move without starting another argument.”
Her expression softened.
“I’m sorry you’ve been uncomfortable.”
Then she looked toward the back of the cabin.
“We have an empty aisle seat two rows behind you. Would you like to move there?”
I
almost laughed with relief.
“Yes, please. Very much.”
I hesitated.
“And I should apologize for saying everything was fine when you checked earlier.”
She smiled.
“We can worry about that once you’re comfortable.”
I quickly gathered my handbag, sweater, and book.
Henry stood to let me out.
As I stepped into the aisle, he spoke to the attendant.
“For what it’s worth, I heard her ask him to move several times.”
I looked at him in surprise.
“Thank you, Henry.”
He nodded.
“I probably should have said something earlier.”
The attendant guided me to my new seat.
She checked that my handbag fit beneath the seat in front of me.
Then I sat down.
An entire seat.
An armrest I could use.
Space for both legs.
It felt wonderful.
“Would you like some water?” she asked.
“That would be lovely.”
She smiled and walked away.
I opened my book.
For
the first time since takeoff, I felt comfortable.
Then Josh returned from the restroom.
He stopped beside our original row.
Looked at the empty window seat.
Then glanced around the cabin.
When he spotted me sitting two rows behind him, his face turned bright red.
“What the hell did you do?!”
Several passengers looked up.
I remained seated.
“I asked to change seats. There happened to be another one available.”
He stared at me.
“You went behind my back?”
I kept my voice steady.
“I didn’t need your permission to move to another seat.”
The flight attendant returned before he could respond.
“Sir, please lower your voice and return to your seat.”
