An ANGEL on an AIRPLANE
KJ often traveled for work, riding on trains or driving his car most of the time; but sometimes he flew. For this trip, he had to get on a plane to Texas. It was an early morning flight, which made the drive from the Valley down to Los Angeles International Airport quite tolerable. However, getting through airport security and the check-in process was as always tedious. When he finally took his seat on the plane, he was ready to relax, maybe even catch a couple of winks of sleep on the two and a half hour flight to Dallas.
Although his eyes were closed, he sensed when another passenger sat down next to him. He did not bother to open his eyes until he heard the man say, “I sure hope I make it this time.” KJ wanted to rest but what the man said made him too curious to remain quiet. Also, he thought to himself, There is a reason for everything that happens. Chance is the dictator of the universe. KJ turned toward the man and smiled thinking the unusual statement must be a prelude to a humorous story.
“Now that’s a new one,” KJ said. “I have taken my share of trips, but I can’t say I have ever heard a conversation starter like that one before.”
Elaboration was not forthcoming.
KJ persisted, “So why didn’t you make it the last time?”
His new neighbor’s look was a combination of embarrassment and reluctance to say any more. But he seemed to sense KJ was a willing listener.
“Well, I tried last night to head back home to Texas,” the man responded. “Even made it to my seat on the plane. Then they kicked me off.”
That was surprising to hear. Not what he had expected. KJ ran through the possible reasons why someone would be asked to get off a plane, maybe even forced off. None of them were good, especially since he was seated next to that someone.
“Too drunk,” the man explained.
Great, thought KJ, his sense of neighborliness disintegrating. Not going to be the relaxing couple of hours I was hoping for. An afternoon full of meetings awaited him.
The man shifted in his seat. Once. Twice. And then a third time. KJ grew concerned. Was this man unstable? Was there going to be a problem?
KJ decided to be proactive. He did not want any trouble nor any delay in getting to his destination. He would report the man to the flight attendant. As he made to stand, he glanced over. He saw it immediately – the man was terrified. There was no bashfulness on his face. Only fear.
KJ leaned back in his seat and looked at the man with different eyes.
“You don’t like to fly do you?”
The man said nothing.
“Is that why you were drinking?” KJ asked him.
“I was terrified,” he said. “I still am. I don’t know if I can make it, but I need to get home.”
What a moment before would have seemed an absolutely ludicrous idea, suddenly made sense to KJ. And even though it might have been against his better judgment, he reached into his pocket and took out two free drink coupons the airline had given him for being a frequent flyer. They were for alcoholic beverages.
“You can have these if you think they might help.”
It was not even 8am in the morning, but he decided he would withhold any further judgment.
– + –
The next day KJ was back on a plane, headed back home to Los Angeles. As the plane leveled off at its cruising altitude, he settled into his seat. The ever present, low-level white noise of airplane flight was lulling him to sleep. However, the relative tranquility was short-lived, broken by the ragged fussing of a toddler seated some rows back. The crying was not the fading type of a tired or hungry child which could be quieted by a nap or a snack. This kid was agitated, his level of upset escalating. The alternating whines and sobs chiseled away at KJ’s patience, but he maintained his composure. After all, he was a father of four. There had been times like this for him. He did his best to empathize, to remember those frustrating moments. But it had been a long time ago – his youngest child was already in junior high school.
Minutes passed. The child would not calm. KJ’s frustration grew.
What’s wrong with this kid’s parents? he wondered. Why aren’t they doing anything about it?
KJ had had enough. He was going to say something. He was certain everyone else in the cabin felt as he did. Someone had to take a stand. He was the brave one who would take action and put the parents in their place. And maybe the parents would learn something about keeping their kid in line. KJ stood up, slid out of his row, and stepped into the aisle. Feeling confident, he made his way towards the perpetrators of poor parenting.
When he arrived at the row where the child continued his rants, KJ did not find the clueless, inattentive parents he had anticipated. Instead, he witnessed an exasperated father, alone and at the end of his rope. He was trying to calm his son who was grabbing, scratching, and trying to escape. In that moment, KJ forgot what he had intended to say. What he saw struck his heart. He remembered exhausting instances from when he was a new father – middle of the night diaper changes and bottle feeding; the incessant cries caused by not-yet diagnosed ear infections; the droning disappointment on car rides home from the store when a toy was not bought. As he looked into the man’s eyes, he realized none of those experiences compared to what this man was going through at this moment. He was grappling with his child’s pain and that of everyone around him; and he felt responsible for both.
Without a thought, KJ extended his arms and said “You look like you could use a break there Dad.”
The father must have sensed safety and a respite for both him and his child in KJs offer, because he did not hesitate a moment to hand his son over to this stranger. He grabbed the lifeline thrown him without even asking the name of the person on the other end.
The child fought KJ, screaming louder while landing a few weak jabs. KJ just held him and walked down the aisle. When he got to the end of the aisle, he turned around and walked back. The toddler refused to settle, but KJ persisted and started whispering soothing words. Back and forth they went. Slowly, the child gave in and quieted. Back and forth still. Up and down the aisle. More than 30 minutes passed. Finally, KJ returned the sleeping child to his relieved father. The father mouthed a “Thank you,” but the look on his face said more than any words ever could. KJ slipped back into his seat for the remainder of the flight.
After the plane came to a stop at the gate, KJ gathered his belongings and departed. As he climbed on to the airport shuttle headed t0 the parking garage, a lady’s voice called, “You’re him.” KJ turned toward the unfamiliar voice. The woman held his gaze.
“It’s you. You’re the angel from the airplane.”