Gordon desired a calm flight with an older woman next to him. He asked to switch seats once she started talking to him. He then met Nicholas, who revealed a surprising lady story.

She said, “Hello, there,” unexpectedly sitting next to Gordon. He frowned at her.

He planned to snooze the flight with his headphones. His Dominican Republic vacation was anticipated, therefore he ordered American Airlines business class tickets. He flew from JFK Airport in New York and hoped for the nicest holiday.

Gordon boarded the plane for vacation. Image Source: Shutterstock
Gordon boarded the plane for vacation. Image Source: Shutterstock

The woman grabbed the seat next to him and greeted hello immediately. Why? He didn’t want to talk. She didn’t look like a business class passenger. She appeared ragged and ill clothed. He nervously grinned and greeted her back, then applied his headphones and tried to sleep.

But she touched his shoulders. “Your name? You resemble my son—”

Gordon interrupted, “I’m sorry, ma’am.” I’m not in the mood to discuss. I want to unwind with headphones.”

Gordon considered that the end. Once more, the woman tapped his shoulder, and he snatched his headphones off in anger.

“I know you want some privacy, but I just wanted to tell you that—”

He summoned the flight attendant.
He summoned the flight attendant.

“Excuse me, miss,” he interrupted the old woman, calling the flight attendant, who came instantly. “Could I possibly change seats, please?”

“Sir, why? Do you have a problem? “Stewardess asked.

Just because. He mocked “I’m uncomfortable with this woman chatting to me. The attendant nodded subduedly, and the old lady stared at her lap. His remarks certainly humiliated her, but Gordon didn’t care.

He settled into a seat next to a man reading a newspaper and relaxed again. He fell asleep immediately and woke up two hours later. While eating, he was no longer angry.

He thanked the man next to him for his time. I’m Nicholas. Traveling for business?” he asked.

Pexels: He fell asleep in his new seat.
Pexels: He fell asleep in his new seat.

Gordon calmed down and was more friendly because the man looked like he belonged. I’m Gordon. I’m on vacation. What about you?”

“I agree. Nicolas said he was using his discount and miles as a pilot for this airline. Let me ask you something. You changed seats—why?”

I wanted to sleep, but the old woman next to me wanted to talk. “I wouldn’t tolerate that,” he said, smiling like Nicholas would understand.

“What did she want to talk about?”

Man next to him talked about old woman. | Source: Pexels
Man next to him talked about old woman. | Source: Pexels

“Well, she said I looked like her son, but I didn’t care,” Gordon nodded.

“Hmmm, and why are you speaking to me now?”

“Sleeping improved my mood. I wouldn’t waste time with her.”

“I see,” Nicholas mumbled. Mrs. Walter is the woman in question. She travels the same flight annually for a reason.”

That revelation made Gordon grimace and wonder where Nicholas was heading. “Ok….”

Her son flew too. The apprentice was young but potential. I know him.”

Gordon asked, “Knew him?”

Something happened to Mrs. Walter’s son.
Something happened to Mrs. Walter’s son.

“Yeah. He died on this 2001 flight. Same path. Everyone on board died. Nicholas shocked Gordon by saying it was tragic for everyone.

“Wow… I’m sorry. I didn’t know “He said, unsure what to say.

Mrs. Walter takes this flight every year on her son’s death anniversary. The airline gave her the flight after three years “Nicholas continued. “And you look like her son apparently.”

“Jesus…,” Gordon exhaled, astonished. His treatment of her was terrible. He insulted her and switched seats after she spoke a few words. What type of man was he becoming to mistreat others? He needed to compensate for his overreaction.

He waited for Mrs. Walter at the Santo Domingo airport gate when the flight arrived. He invited her to coffee and spent his holiday with her, who told him numerous son anecdotes.

His reflection on his transformation helped him improve.
His reflection on his transformation helped him improve.

After returning to New York, they swapped contacts, and he contacted her occasionally to talk and remember her kid. That was her sole desire.

Gordon thought on his actions and biases and sought to improve daily. He never treated aircraft passengers that way. Nice conversation on a plane never hurts.

What can this story teach us?

Rectify your faults. Gordon mistreated the elderly woman until he heard her story. He rapidly improved and made up for it.
Never judge someone by your biases. Gordon decided the elderly woman was too poor for business class based on her appearance. It was inappropriate to act on his preconceptions.
Tell your friends about this. It may inspire and cheer them up.

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A professional writer wrote this narrative from our reader’s. Similarities to real names or places are unintentional. All photos are for illustration only. Tell us your story—it could alter someone’s life. To share your story, email info@amomama.com.