On the day of the flight, I arrived at the airport early, checked in, and made my way through security, feeling a sense of relief that I had taken steps to make the flight as comfortable as possible for myself and for others. Once onboard, I located my row, stowed my carry-on in the overhead compartment, and settled into the window seat, buckling my seatbelt. The extra seat next to me was unoccupied, just as planned, and I felt a wave of calmness wash over me.
That calmness was short-lived. Suddenly, a woman with a small child approached me. Without a word of greeting or inquiry, she sat her child down in the empty seat next to me.
