Leslie rubbed her temple with one hand before her flight. Her throbbing headache reminded her of the night she partied at one of Atlanta’s hottest clubs.
“Amy!” Leslie called 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.
Leslie boarded the plane with Amy after a friendly nudge.
“One day, everything will work out for you, Leslie,” she said. “Just have faith.”
Leslie and Amy quickly prepared for passengers to board, performed the safety demonstration, and settled everyone in. Last, Leslie crept to the galley and drank her headache pills.
“I wonder if Amy will mind if I lie down in the rest quarters for a bit,” he said. She was about to talk to her coworker when an odd sound stopped her.
Leslie paused, listening intently. She later realized she must’ve imagined it. Maybe Amy was right about partying too much.
After passing the bathroom door, Leslie heard high-pitched mewling again. There was no way there was a cat on the plane, so it had to be a child crying.
Amy knocked on the bathroom door. When nobody replied, she opened the door and peeped inside. A second later, she screamed.
A moment later, Leslie realized the shuddering bundle that frightened her was a young boy. He’d been crying and looked up at her with tearful eyes.
“Don’t do that!” Leslie said to the young boy who’d surprised her.
“What are you doing in here?”
The boy hugged his knees and started crying again. Now that she was over her shock, Leslie felt sorry for the boy. She crouched down in front of him.
“I’m sorry I shouted,” Leslie said. “You gave me a fright. I’m Leslie, what’s your name?”
The boy sniffed. “My name’s Ben.”
Leslie helped the boy up. She let him sit in one of the crew jump seats while she searched the passenger list for his name. It was probably the boy’s first time on a plane, and he didn’t seem to enjoy it.
Leslie frowned. She checked the passenger list again but still didn’t find the boy’s name!
It had been far too long since Leslie last had to comfort a child. The thought filled her with longing for her home, but now was not the time to think of that. She sat beside Ben and put her hand on his arm.
“Ben, sweetie, are you lost? I can help you if you tell me where to find your family.”
Ben let out a sob. He was hugging a paper bag to his chest, Leslie noticed. It set her nerves on edge because of all the horror stories she’d heard about substances brought onto flights.
“What’s in the bag, Ben?” Leslie asked.
“It’s Granny’s medicine,” the boy said. “She’s going to die without this medicine, and it will be all my fault!”
Over the next two hours, Leslie managed to pry the full narrative out of Ben. He was the youngest boy in a huge family. While his older brothers spent much of their time playing sports and getting into scrapes, Ben dreamed of becoming a scientist.
His mom hadn’t comprehended the tremendous side effects of Ben’s mission to discover a solution for all diseases. He’d sincerely hoped to make his mother proud and receive a hug from her, but instead, she’d 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 wept. “That’s why I stole the bag of Granny’s medicine.”
When Ben’s grandma grew unwell, the family went to visit her in Seattle and bring her medicine. Ben had become separated from his family at the airport. He’d ultimately spotted his mother again and followed her onboard the plane.
“But she wasn’t my mom,” Ben cried. “And now I’m on the wrong plane. I intended to be the hero who gave Granny her medicine, but now I’m the baddie. She’s going to die because of me.”
Leslie notified all authorities when the plane 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.
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 dinner 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 spoke, 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.”
“Anything as long as my boy gets better,” Leslie said.
Leslie balled up and cried after the call. She desperately 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 flight home. She partied to forget her son, but her heart still ached.
“Miss Leslie?” Ben approached and grabbed her arm. “I think you should have these for your Joe.”
The bag 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 granny in Seattle. I’m heading home to visit my son.”
Ben’s aircraft 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 worried and will be glad you’re safe.”
Even though his family rushed to hug him when they landed in Seattle, Ben didn’t believe Leslie. Leslie watched Ben’s mom kiss him and vowed never to ignore 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 stayed up late that night discussing Joe’s exams with her mom. She felt powerless, guilty, and overwhelmed.
After bedtime, Leslie crept into Joe’s room and cuddled up close to him. She buried her face in his coconut-scented hair and vowed to do all it needed to keep her son healthy.
Joe’s condition didn’t improve over time. A specialist couldn’t diagnose the issue. Meanwhile, he was weakening daily.
Leslie requested more leave days, but the airline wasn’t accommodating. They didn’t pay her for leave. Money was scarce after another week of caring for Joe and doctor visits. Leslie’s retired mother always relied on Leslie to pay for Joe’s necessities while she cared for the child. 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.”
I heard a knock on the door.
A familiar face greeted Leslie when she opened 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 by 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 established a crowdfunding effort for my mother, however…” she covered her mouth. “She passed away a few days ago.”
Ben’s father embraced 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 chest, crying. “Thanks everyone,” she wailed. “This is my best gift. I hope it’s enough.”
Ben rushed to hug Leslie’s legs. It will be enough, I’m sure! I’ll play with Joe again when he’s better.”
Leslie ruffled the boy’s hair while smiling. “You’ll always be welcome to visit here, Ben.”
The cheque nearly met Leslie’s needs. A month later, Joe was back to normal after many physicians and treatments.
Leslie watched him play with the neighbor’s dog on the front lawn and couldn’t fathom him not being strong and funny.
“And it’s all thanks to Ben,” she grumbled.
What can this story teach us?
Every youngster needs care. Ben did stupid things to win his mother’s love. She could’ve made her son feel loved sooner if she’d noticed he felt neglected.
You can only escape emotional agony so long. Leslie might have coped with missing her family without partying and becoming irresponsible.
Tell your friends about this. It may inspire and cheer them up.