“Yes,” he affirmed with a warm smile that softened the sharp lines of his face. “I’ve got a couple of kids myself. I understand how challenging flights can be.”
His words were like a balm, soothing the raw edges of my frayed nerves. The cabin felt a little less hostile, the air a bit lighter. I nodded, my gratitude evident in my eyes, and shifted in my seat to make room for him.
The pilot crouched down, his presence a reassuring beacon amidst the chaos. He reached for Emma first, engaging her with a simple magic trick that involved nothing more than a penny he seemingly pulled from behind her ear. Her eyes widened in delight, a giggle escaping her lips as she forgot her previous restlessness.
