“Where is the gate agent?” I asked.
“I do not know. Aunt Lauren told me to wait here because somebody would come back.”
My phone showed a message from Lauren before I could ask another question.
The airline had offered five discounted first-class upgrades after another group of passengers missed its connection. Six people were traveling with Emma.
Instead of rejecting the offer or keeping one adult in economy beside her, my parents, my brother, Lauren, and their two children accepted every available upgrade.
Lauren’s message said:
Do not overreact. There were only five seats, and Emma was the easiest person to leave because you can arrange another flight for her. Dad said this might teach her not to expect special treatment.
Another message arrived from my father.
She is safe inside the terminal. Airport employees deal with children every day.
Emma started crying during our video call.
“Did I do something wrong?”
