The boy’s mother is reading a magazine, ignoring her son.
Carl closes his eyes and tries to stay positive.
But the child’s kicks are preventing her from finding peace.
Carl’s smile fades as he looks at the boy. “Stop kicking my seat,” he says. “This is a little uncomfortable,” he said, hoping his tone would be friendly.
The kicks continued. The woman looked up from her magazine. “Kids will be kids,” she said. “I’m trying to keep busy.”
Her response angered Carl. Their voices were raised.
The flight attendants tried to calm the situation down.
Carl decided to stay away. He wanted to forget and be an adult. When he relaxed, a blow to the back ruined everything. The kick woke him up.
After a few minutes, he devised a plan to contact the mother and son. He asked for water.
“Yes, sir,” the flight attendant replied, heading toward the kitchen. Carl waited, his plan taking shape. The hostess brought him ice water. Carl thanked him and handed him a cup. Just then, another kick landed on the back of his seat. Carl acted surprised and knocked over the glass of water. The water spilled out of the glass and onto his mother. She screamed and dropped the magazine. The boy was surprised, too. He said, “I’m sorry!” – I didn’t mean to spill the water.
The boy was silent and wide-eyed. He knew what he had done, and his smile disappeared. He was surprised and full of regret.
The stewardess arrived, handing out napkins and apologies. “One of them asks, ‘Are you okay?’” Before the woman can answer, Carl says that everything is fine. “It was an accident.” “I spilled the water.” She looks at the boy and his mother to make sure they understand.
The mother, drying her clothes with a towel, looks away from Carl. The boy sits quietly.
The seat behind Carl remains still for the rest of the flight – there are no more kicks. Mother and son sit in silence. Carl smiles. He thinks about how he tried to stay calm, but now he is nervous. But he forgot. They started! He finished. He said, “Next time, I’ll fly first class.”
source: buzzday.info