The flight attendant checked her tablet.
“I see the request in your file, but first class was fully booked. You’re on the upgrade wait list, but no seats became available.”
Mayor’s face was turning red.
She wasn’t used to being told no, especially not in front of other passengers.
“This is ridiculous. Do you know who my husband is? His mother helped build this airline.”
I nearly choked on my champagne.
David looked mortified, tugging at Mayor’s arm.
“Mayor, please. Let’s just go to our seats.”
But Mayor wasn’t finished.
“I demand to speak to a supervisor. This is completely unacceptable.”
That’s when I stood up.
“Mayor, David, what a lovely surprise.”
Both of them froze.
David’s mouth actually fell open.
Mayor looked like she’d seen a ghost.
“Mom.”
David’s voice was barely a whisper.
“What are you doing here?”
Before I could answer, the flight attendant, who had been dealing with Mayor’s complaints, approached me with a warm smile.
“Ms. Morrison, is everything all right? Are these passengers bothering you?”
The question hung in the air like a bomb waiting to explode.
Mayor’s eyes darted between me and the flight attendant, clearly trying to process what was happening.
“Not at all,” I said calmly. “This is my son and daughter-in-law, though I believe they’re seated in economy.”
The flight attendant nodded.
“Yes, seats 12B and 12 C. If you’d like to follow me, I’ll show you to your section.”
Mayor remained frozen in place, staring at me in my first class seat with my champagne and my complimentary warm nuts.
“I don’t understand,” she finally managed. “How did you—”
But before she could finish her question, another flight attendant approached.
This one wearing the distinctive uniform of senior cabin crew.
“Ms. Morrison. I’m Sarah Chen, your flight attendant today. On behalf of Captain Rodriguez and the entire crew, welcome aboard. We’re honored to have one of Pacific Coast’s founding shareholders flying with us today.”
The silence that followed Sarah’s announcement was deafening.
I watched as Mare’s face cycled through confusion, shock, and something that looked like panic.
David just stood there, mouth a gape, trying to process what he’d just heard.
“Founding shareholder?”
Mayor’s voice came out as a squeak.
Sarah smiled warmly.
“Oh yes, Ms. Morrison was instrumental in Pacific Coast’s early development. We have a lovely tribute to her and the other founders in our corporate headquarters.”
I could practically see the wheels turning in May’s head as she tried to reconcile the image of the helpless old woman she’d dismissed with this new information.
The woman she’d suggested should go to a nursing home was being treated like royalty by the airline staff.
“Mom.”
David finally found his voice.
“I don’t understand. How are you here? How are you in first class?”
Before I could respond, the captain’s voice came over the intercom.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a very special passenger with us today. Ms. Estelle Morrison, one of Pacific Coast Airlines founding investors, is traveling with us to Hawaii. Ms. Morrison, the entire crew would like to thank you for your vision and dedication that helped make Pacific Coast what it is today.”
A ripple of applause went through the first class cabin.
Other passengers turned to look at me with respect and curiosity.
I smiled graciously and raised my champagne glass in acknowledgement.
Mayor looked like she was going to faint.
“Ma’am,” Sarah addressed Mayor gently but firmly. “I really do need to ask you to take your assigned seats so we can complete boarding.”
Mayor’s legs seemed to move on autopilot as she stumbled toward the economy section, David trailing behind her.
I could hear him asking questions, his voice urgent and confused, but Mayor wasn’t responding.
She was in shock.
As the plane taxied for takeoff, I settled back into my luxurious seat and allowed myself a small smile.