saw Mrs.
Vale on the floor.”
“Did you see how she got there?”
The attendant swallowed.
“I saw Mr.
Hamilton standing over her.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
Her eyes dropped.
“Yes.”
Edward stepped into the aisle.
“This has become absurd.
I’ve flown this airline for fifteen years.
Check my account.
Do you have any idea how much I spend with this company?”
The director answered without raising his voice.
“At the moment, sir, your spending is not the important number.”
Edward pointed at me.
“Then what is?”
The director looked at my stomach.
“Seven months.”
That shut him up.
My hand was still pressed against my belly.
The fear I had been forcing down since I hit the floor suddenly returned.
I hadn’t felt the baby move.
The director saw my expression.
“Mrs.
Vale, are you having pain?”
“My back.”
“And the baby?”
I hesitated.
“She’s usually moving by now.”
His entire face tightened.
He turned toward the galley.
“Call airport medical services now.”
Edward threw both hands up.
“Oh, come on.”
Several passengers looked at him with open disgust.
He noticed.
Instead of stopping, he doubled down.
“She’s being dramatic because she knows she’s embarrassed herself.”
The woman by the window finally spoke.
“You pushed a pregnant woman onto the floor.”
Edward looked at her.
“You didn’t see what happened.”
“I watched the entire thing.”
A second passenger leaned into the aisle.
“So did I.”
Then another voice came from behind them.
“Me too.”
The silence Edward had treated as support began breaking apart around him.
One witness at a time.
The director pointed toward the front door.
“Mr.
Hamilton, return to your seat and do not approach Mrs.
Vale.
Airport security is coming aboard.”
