The airline agent’s hands paused above the keyboard.
My father had stopped talking.
Danielle’s arms were no longer crossed.
My mother stood beside her with the same tight expression she used whenever she sensed that a situation was slipping beyond her control.
The heat from the slap was still spreading across my cheek.
The agent looked at me carefully.
“You want to make changes to the other three tickets?”
“Yes.”
My father stepped forward.
“No, she doesn’t.”
I didn’t turn toward him.
The agent’s eyes moved from him back to me.
The reservation was mine.
The payment card was mine.
The miles attached to the booking were mine.
I placed my palm flat on the counter.
“Please cancel the three tickets connected to my reservation,” I said.
My mother’s mouth opened.
Danielle made a short sound that was almost a laugh, as if she believed I was bluffing.
My father stared at me.
“What did you say?”
I finally looked at him.
“I said cancel their tickets.”
His confusion lasted only a second before anger replaced it.
“You can’t do that.”
The agent glanced at the screen.
“The tickets were purchased under Ms.
Castillo’s reservation and payment information.”
Danielle moved closer to the counter.
“That doesn’t mean she owns our tickets.”
The agent stayed composed.
“I can only discuss the booking with the purchaser.”
That sentence changed the air around us.
For the first time that morning, nobody in my family had a better argument than my name on a screen.
My mother lowered her voice.
“Valerie, stop this.
You’re upset.
Your father lost his temper, but you don’t destroy a family vacation over one bad moment.”
One bad moment.
I touched my cheek again.
The skin was still hot.
“He hit me because I wouldn’t give away my seat.”
My mother glanced toward the strangers nearby and frowned, not at him but at me.
“Keep your voice down.”
That almost made me laugh.
My father could slap me in public, but I was the one who needed to worry about appearances.
Danielle shook her head dramatically.
“You are unbelievable.
This whole trip is supposed to celebrate me finishing grad school.”
“I know.”
“So you’re really going to ruin it because you’re jealous over a seat?”
I looked at her.
“Half your tuition came from me.”
Her expression changed.
My mother’s eyes sharpened.
“Why are you bringing money into everything?”
