Jennifer’s face turned crimson. she wanted to sink through the floor for her arrogance.
The Captain gently returned the photo to Arlene and saluted her—a sharp, respectful military salute.
“It is an honor to have you fly with us, Ma’am. Welcome aboard.”
At first, one passenger started clapping. Then another. Within seconds, the entire Business Class cabin, forgetting their phones and meetings, was giving a standing ovation to the tiny old woman in seat 1A.
Arlene Slade wiped away a tear and looked out the window again. On this day, she wasn’t just a passenger. She was the Queen of the Skies, returned to her throne.