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The Trip That Revolutionized Everything
\nPerhaps the way people stared made the airport feel colder than normal. I held onto my boarding card tightly, as though it were the only thing keeping me upright.<\/p>\n
Even though my facial scar was still healing, it already seemed to have become an integral part of who I was. People began to notice the scar before they saw me anymore.<\/p>\n
A month has passed since the mishap. an automobile acci:dent. As the airbag deployed, a piece of glass sliced across my face. The physicians stitched me up swiftly and expertly, but they were unable to stop the jagged mark from appearing.<\/p>\n
According to my dermatologist, it\u2019s early scar tissue. \u201cIt may never totally go away, but it will take time to fade.\u201d<\/p>\n
From my hairline, the scar extended across my cheek, past my brow, and ended just in front of my jaw. I would never be able to grow back part of my eyebrow. Where the wound had been deepest, there was a little imprint on my cheek.<\/p>\n
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\nI hid behind bandages for weeks because I was too scared to face my own image. Upon the removal of the bandages, I was forced to confront myself.<\/p>\n
My pals made an effort to cheer me up. They would try to make me laugh by saying, \u201cIt makes you look badass.\u201d \u201cLike a warrior.\u201d<\/p>\n
I could feel those same looks again as I made my way down the tight aisle of the airplane. With my heart racing, I climbed into my window seat and put on my headphones in the hopes of a smooth flight.<\/p>\n
The Pair That Only Observed My Scars
\nI woke up to the sound of acrid, agitated voices, so I guess I must have fallen asleep.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou must be joking with me,\u201d a man said.<\/p>\n
With a heavy sigh, a woman said, \u201cTom, these are our seats.\u201d \u201cJust take a seat.\u201d<\/p>\n
I closed my eyes in the hopes that they would go away.<\/p>\n
Then, albeit not low enough, the man\u2019s voice lowered to a whisper.<\/p>\n
Is this what we receive? Seats available at last next to\u2014 He paused.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat comes next?\u201d The woman\u2019s tone was sharp as she pressed. A pause. Then, \u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n
I could feel her eyes on me, and my skin pricked.<\/p>\n
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\n\u201cYou must be kidding,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n
I forced myself to remain motionless and swallowed hard.<\/p>\n
The words then struck like a slap.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi, lady!\u201d The man gave a bark. Slowly, I opened my eyes. He winced, then frowned. \u201cIs there no way you could hide that?\u201d<\/p>\n
The woman pulled her sweatshirt up over her nose and screamed, \u201cTom.\u201d That is abhorrent. How could they have allowed her to board in such a manner?<\/p>\n
Stunned into stillness, I gazed at them.<\/p>\n
\u201cExactly!\u201d Tom gestured to me with his finger. \u201cThis is an open area! That is not necessary for anyone to see.<\/p>\n
My face flushed. I wanted to explain\u2014to let them know that I was powerless. that I didn\u2019t choose to do it. However, nothing was said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWill you simply sit there?\u201d The woman sneered. \u201cIncredible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then Tom gestured down a flight attendant while leaning into the aisle.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey! Is there anything you can do? My girlfriend is going crazy.<\/p>\n
The Stand of a Flight Attendant
\nThe flight attendant stepped forward, her erect stance and unreadable countenance.<\/p>\n
Calmly, \u201cIs there a problem, sir?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, there is an issue,\u201d Tom yelled. \u201cObserve her!\u201d He waved at me as if I were a freak show exhibit. It\u2019s causing my girlfriend distress. Is it not possible to relocate her to the rear or something?<\/p>\n
The attendant looked at me for a moment.<\/p>\n
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\n\u201cEvery person has a right to their seat, sir. Do you need my assistance with anything else right now?<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you!\u201d he yelled. That\u2019s how she looks when she sits there. It\u2019s repulsive. She ought should have to hide it or relocate.<\/p>\n
The woman added, \u201cI can\u2019t even look at her. I\u2019ll throw up.\u201d<\/p>\n
The flight attendant\u2019s tone became steely as she straightened. \u201cPlease lower your voices, sir or ma\u2019am. It is wrong to act in this manner.<\/p>\n
Tom laughed. How about her? Scaring people while sitting there\u2014<\/p>\n
Ignoring him, the attendant turned to face me. \u201cAre you okay, Miss?\u201d<\/p>\n
I gripped the armrests so tightly that my knuckles hurt while I nodded rigidly.<\/p>\n
Before heading into the cockpit, she reassured me, \u201cI\u2019ll be right back.\u201d<\/p>\n
With their arms crossed in exasperation, the couple murmured to themselves. The passengers around us were quiet, but I could sense that they were paying attention.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve received reports of conduct on this aircraft that is inconsistent with the polite atmosphere we aim to uphold. To be clear, any form of discrimination or harassment will not be accepted. Please be respectful of your fellow travelers.<\/p>\n
The air became less tense. Some glanced to row five in disapproval as others whispered.<\/p>\n
She firmly stated, \u201cMr. and Ms., you must relocate to seats 22B and 22C at the rear of the aircraft.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tom\u2019s head jerked upward. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis cannot be negotiated,\u201d she declared. \u201cThis flight has been disrupted by your behavior, and we need to make sure that everyone is comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is ridiculous,\u201d the woman spat. \u201cWhy are we the ones being punished?\u201d<\/p>\n
The attendant remained calm. \u201cYour new seats are waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n
I bit my lip, holding back tears. Not from embarrassment this time\u2014but from something else entirely.<\/p>\n
Relief.<\/p>\n
A Seat in Business Class<\/p>\n
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Image for illustrative purpose only.
\nThe flight attendant turned back to me, her expression kind.<\/p>\n
\u201cMiss, I want to apologize for what happened. No one should have to go through that.\u201d<\/p>\n
I nodded, my throat too tight to speak.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have an open seat in business class,\u201d she continued. \u201cWe\u2019d like to move you there as a gesture of goodwill. Would that be alright?\u201d<\/p>\n
I hesitated. \u201cI don\u2019t want to cause trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her smile was gentle. \u201cYou\u2019re not causing trouble. Please. Let us take care of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
I swallowed hard and nodded.<\/p>\n
Minutes later, I settled into my new seat. The attendant brought me a warm cup of coffee and a small bag of cookies.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you need anything, just press the call button,\u201d she said softly before leaving me to rest.<\/p>\n
I stared out the window, the clouds a soft, endless sea beneath us. My breathing slowed. The knot in my chest loosened.<\/p>\n
For the first time in weeks, I let myself cry.<\/p>\n
I thought about my friends\u2019 words\u2014how they told me I was still me, scars and all.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re still beautiful,\u201d one had said. \u201cYou\u2019re just fierce now, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
I looked out at the endless horizon and wiped my tears away. The plane moved forward, cutting through the sky like a promise.<\/p>\n
And for the first time in a long while, I felt something new.<\/p>\n
Hope.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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