He’s fine.”
By now, other passengers were noticing. I heard whispers and felt their eyes on us. My panic turned into burning anger.
How dare this man think he knew better than me about my son? “Give me my baby!” I yelled, my hands shaking as I reached out. Matteo sneered.
“You’re just an overprotective, ungrateful mom! No wonder your kid’s always crying!”
Tears blurred my vision. I felt alone, judged by everyone around me.
It was like the whole plane was watching, and I was just trying to keep my baby safe. “You’re putting my son in danger,” I sobbed, my voice breaking. “I don’t care what you call me, just give him back before you hurt him more!”
Matteo laughed dismissively.
“You’re nuts, lady. It’s just a drink. I do this with my daughter all the time.”
“Then you’re an idiot!” I shouted.
“No kid, especially a baby, should have energy drinks!”
Just then, a flight attendant named Clarice approached, her face a mix of concern and authority. “Excuse me, is there a problem?”
“Yes!” I blurted. “This man gave my baby an energy drink and won’t give him back!”
Matteo sneered.
“She’s overreacting. I was just helping, but she’s acting crazy.”
Clarice’s eyes moved between us, and she nodded calmly. “Sir, hand the child back to his mother now.”
Matteo rolled his eyes but reluctantly passed Quinn to me.
I held him tightly, feeling his little heart racing against my chest. “This is ridiculous,” Matteo muttered. “I want to sit somewhere else.
I can’t deal with this crazy woman and her screaming kid.”
Clarice stayed calm, her voice firm. “Sir, please settle down. We’ll figure this out.”
She turned to me, her expression softening.
“Ma’am, would you and your baby like to move to a first-class seat? You could use some calm.”
I blinked, stunned by her kindness. “First class?
Really?”
“Yes,” Clarice said with a small smile. “Follow me.”
Matteo’s jaw dropped. “You’ve got to be kidding!”
Ignoring him, Clarice led me to the front of the plane.
The whispers and stares faded as I focused on getting away from that mess. In first class, Clarice helped me settle into a spacious seat, far from the chaos. “Thank you,” I said, my voice barely audible as I sat with Quinn on my lap.
“I don’t know what I’d have done without you.”
Clarice patted my shoulder gently. “No trouble at all. Try to relax and enjoy the rest of the flight.
Let me know if you need anything.”
As she walked away, relief washed over me. The comfy seat and quiet of first class were a huge change from the tension in economy. Quinn snuggled against me, finally calm, and I let out a long breath I didn’t know I’d been holding.
The rest of the flight was peaceful. Quinn slept soundly, and I even dozed off a bit, the exhaustion catching up to me.
