wasn’t coloring.
His knee bounced nervously.
The aisle seat was empty.
I crouched beside them.
“You okay, Grandma?”
She turned toward me.
For one strange second, she looked lost.
Then she smiled.
“I’m fine.”
She wasn’t.
Her hands were trembling.
Her eyes looked damp.
I’m a nurse.
I know what “fine” looks like.
This wasn’t it.
“Are you feeling sick?”
“No.”
“You’re shaking.”
“It’s just nerves.”
The boy beside her looked up.
“I’m nervous too.”
Grandma turned toward him.
Her expression softened immediately.
“Are you flying alone?”
He nodded.
“My
