As Leslie passed the bathroom again, she heard the strange, high-pitched sound once more. It couldn’t be a cat, so it had to be a child crying.
Leslie knocked gently. When no one answered, she cautiously opened the door and peeked inside—only to scream in shock moments later.
The shaking figure inside turned out to be a small boy, who looked up at her with tear-filled eyes.
“Don’t scare me like that!” Leslie exclaimed. “What are you doing in here?”
The boy hugged his knees tighter and sobbed quietly. Feeling sorry, Leslie knelt down.
“Sorry for yelling,” Leslie apologized softly. “You startled me. I’m Leslie—what’s your name?”
Sniffling, the boy replied, “My name is Ben.”
Leslie helped Ben up and seated him safely in a crew jump seat while checking the passenger manifest for his name. Strangely, it wasn’t there.
Leslie hadn’t comforted a child in a long time, and the situation sparked her longing for home. Setting aside her feelings, she gently touched Ben’s arm.
“Are you lost, Ben? If you tell me about your family, I can help you find them.”
Ben sobbed harder, clutching a paper bag tightly. Leslie grew uneasy, remembering frightening stories of illicit substances smuggled onto planes.
“What’s in the bag, Ben?” Leslie inquired gently.
“It’s medicine for Granny,” Ben explained tearfully. “Without it, she’ll die, and it’ll be my fault!”
Gradually, Leslie learned Ben’s entire story. He was the youngest of many siblings, overshadowed by athletic older brothers while dreaming of becoming a scientist. His experiments upset his mother, who never showed him the pride and affection she displayed for his siblings.
Ben had taken his grandmother’s vital medication in hopes of being a hero. During an airport mishap, he’d followed a stranger resembling his mother onto the wrong plane, ending up lost.
After landing in Los Angeles, Leslie notified the authorities. She felt sympathy for Ben but wanted to move on. However, the airline surprisingly arranged for her to care for Ben temporarily, forcing her to abandon her planned clubbing itinerary.
When Leslie received a distressing call that her son, Joe, was ill, her heart sank. Overwhelmed with worry and guilt, she longed for her son, who lived far away with her mother. Ben, witnessing her sadness, offered his grandmother’s medicine, hoping to help.
Touched, Leslie devised a better plan: she’d personally escort Ben to Seattle, then return home to Missoula to be with Joe.
Despite Ben’s fears, his family warmly reunited with him in Seattle. Leslie’s homecoming was bittersweet, however, as Joe appeared frail and unwell. Doctors were uncertain of his condition, leaving Leslie anxious and financially strained.
One day, Ben and his family unexpectedly visited Leslie, bringing a generous donation collected through crowdfunding originally intended for Ben’s late grandmother. The family chose to gift the funds to Leslie, significantly easing her burdens.
Deeply moved, Leslie accepted their kindness. The financial support enabled Joe’s recovery, restoring him to health within a month.
Grateful, Leslie arranged for Ben’s family to receive lifetime discounts from her airline as thanks for their generosity.
What can we learn from this story?
Children need attention and affirmation. Ben’s desperation for affection caused him to make impulsive choices. Recognizing and addressing children’s emotional needs prevents harmful behaviors.
Avoidance of emotional pain is temporary. Leslie’s harmful coping strategies only delayed her suffering. Facing difficulties head-on with healthier coping methods provides long-term healing.