I stammered, glancing down at my three wailing children, unsure of how to respond. The pilot, sensing my hesitation, gave me a reassuring smile. “Yes, absolutely,” he continued. “I have kids of my own; I know how tough it can be.”
The last thing I expected when boarding this flight was an offer of assistance from the person responsible for flying the plane. But here he was, sleeves rolled up, ready to help where he could. I nodded, barely able to believe my fortune.
He crouched down to Emma’s level, who had temporarily paused in her antics, intrigued by the uniformed figure. “Hey there,” he said warmly, “I bet this seat is a bit boring, huh? How about I show you something special?” Emma, captivated by his kind demeanor, nodded slowly.