Emily took a slow breath.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
Monica looked at her.
“Tell you what?”
“That you were important.”
Monica almost smiled.
“Would you have treated me differently?”
Emily didn't answer.
Monica nodded.
“Exactly.”
Emily looked ashamed.
“I thought…”
“What?”
“That you were just another passenger.”
Monica's expression remained calm.
“That's what I was.”
Emily looked confused.
“But you're clearly not.”
Monica looked at the torn ticket.
“Everyone deserves to be treated properly.”
Emily nodded.
The manager's voice came again.
“Ms. Hayes?”
Monica turned slightly.
“Yes?”
“I've arranged a private area.”
“Thank you.”
Emily looked at Monica.
The manager had never spoken to Emily that way.
Not once.
The respect was unmistakable.
Emily finally understood something.
Whatever Monica's position was, it wasn't ordinary.
And whatever she had done, it mattered.
Monica picked up her handbag.
She looked at Emily one last time.
“Come with me.”
Emily blinked.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you started this conversation.”
Monica turned toward the private corridor.
Emily followed.
Neither woman said another word.
The torn ticket remained on the counter.
A small piece of paper carrying the weight of a very large mistake.