At The Airport
The quiet lady didn’t know what to do. All the other passengers around them were looking and watching.
The girl behind her got some orange juice spilled on her shoes.
She was calling out for the air hostess who was stuck between the beverage server. She couldn’t get to her on time. It was the most embarrassing day of her entire life.
Organized And Prepared
80-year-old Grandma Joan had been looking forward to this trip for months.
She had meticulously packed her suitcase, double-checked her travel documents, and even arrived at the airport well in advance to avoid any last-minute rush.
It was her first time flying in many years, and she had carefully planned and packed everything she would need. She even picked out a cute, comfortable outfit to wear on the flight.
To See The Family
Grandma Joan had been anticipating her flight to visit her children for weeks.
They lived in Boston while she was in Florida, and she only got to see them during Christmas time.
All she wanted was a smooth and easy journey to visit her grandchildren. Little did she know, fate had something entirely different in store for her.
Lots Of People
As she boarded the plane, she was greeted by a friendly air hostess who directed her to her seat.
There were lots of passengers busy trying to get on their way and she had Sparky, her emotional support pet with her.
Grandma Joan was excited to see that she had a window seat. She loved looking out at the clouds and the ground below. Her son had specifically chosen the seat when he booked online for her.
Another Passenger
Grandma Joan adjusted her glasses and settled into her seat, her eyes scanning the small airplane cabin. She sighed with relief, thinking of the smooth flight she anticipated. But fate had a different plan.
A young woman approached, her eyes scanning the row where Grandma sat, her expression soured as she noticed the empty seat next to her.
Just as she was about to settle in the young woman, who looked around 24 years of age, approached her seat. “Excuse me,” the woman said, “I think there’s been a mistake. I was supposed to have this seat.”
Right Next To Her
As she settled into her seat on the plane, her hopes for a peaceful flight were dashed when a young woman approached, her nose wrinkled in distaste.
“Excuse me, I think there’s been a mistake,” the woman said to the man behind, her voice dripping with disdain. “I can’t possibly sit next to her,” she added, gesturing towards Grandma Joan.
The man just shrugged his shoulders and ignored the young woman, whose name was Roxanne Jennings. She stood awkwardly in the aisle drawing attention to herself.
A Double Booking
Grandma Joan felt a pang of hurt at the young woman’s words, but she remained composed. “It’s okay, dear. I’m sure we can sort something out,” she replied, trying to keep the peace.
The offended granny glanced at her ticket and saw that it was for the same seat.
She sighed and stood up to let the woman take her place. “No worries,” she said, trying to be polite. “I’m sure there’s another seat available.”
Fully Booked Out
Grandma Joan had to courtesy to move and Roxanne didn’t even care. As they both looked around, the air hostess informed them that the flight was fully booked, and there were no other seats available.
The annoyed old lady felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. She had been so looking forward to this trip, and now she was stuck sitting next to a stranger who clearly didn’t want to be there.
An Administration Issue
The air hostess intervened, apologizing for any inconvenience but explaining that the flight was fully booked, leaving no room for seat changes. She tried to make both passengers feel comfortable despite the double booking.
Grandma Joan sighed inwardly, resigned to her fate of sitting next to the disgruntled young woman.
She looked to another lady who was sitting across the aisle and she gave her a sympathetic nod, “It’s this generation,” she said and furled her lips.
Making Things Easier
Grandma Joan tried not to make eye contact with Roxanne. The young woman took her seat, and Grandma Joan tried to make small talk to ease the tension. “So, where are you headed?” she asked.
The woman glanced at her phone and mumbled something about visiting friends.
She seemed completely disinterested in talking to Grandma Joan and even kicked Sparky.
Settling In
As the plane taxied down the runway, Grandma Joan closed her eyes, trying to block out the tension beside her.
She put her neck pillow up and tried to get adjusted. The flight was just about to depart.
But the young woman seemed intent on making her discomfort known. She nudged her elbow on the arm rest, pushing the old lady’s arm down. But Joan was more mature, she ignored her.
On The Way
The flight took off, and Grandma Joan tried to relax and enjoy the journey. She looked out the window and smiled.
She didn’t make eye contact with the rude Roxanne at all.
But every time she glanced over at the young woman, she could see that she was fidgeting and looking at her phone. What about Joan was annoying her so much?
Making Her Discomfort Known
Roxanne kept making funny noises and shuffling in her seat. It also annoyed the other lady sitting next to the aisle.
Finally, Grandma Joan couldn’t take it anymore. “Is everything okay?” she asked.
Roxanne snapped her head up and glared at Grandma Joan. “No, everything is not okay,” she said. “I’m trying to work here, and you keep interrupting me.” Was it because of Sparky?
Just Plain Rude
Grandma Joan was taken aback. She had no idea the woman was trying to work. “I’m sorry,” she said, feeling embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to bother you.”
But the woman wasn’t satisfied. “Well, you are bothering me,” she said. “Can’t you just sit there and be quiet?” Grandma Joan felt a lump in her throat.
She didn’t want to cause any trouble, but she also didn’t want to spend the entire flight feeling uncomfortable.
Making A Noise
It soon became apparent that the young woman had other plans. Determined to make Grandma Joan move, she began a relentless campaign of annoyance.
She reclined her seat as far back as it would go, invading Grandma Joan’s already limited space.
She played loud music through her headphones and rustled her snacks noisily. She was the worst passenger ever.
Ignoring Her
Grandma Joan remained stoic, refusing to be drawn into a confrontation.
She put her noise canceling earphones on and started reading her new book.
But the young woman’s antics escalated, and soon she was spilling snacks and drinks all over the shared armrest, the floor, and even onto Grandma Joan’s lap. She was purposefully doing it.
Eyes On Her
The air hostess, sensing the tension, discreetly kept an eye on the situation. She noted the young woman’s increasingly disruptive behavior and Grandma Joan’s admirable restraint.
Meanwhile, Grandma Joan tried to diffuse the situation with kindness.
“Is everything okay, dear? You seem a little agitated,” she said, offering a sympathetic smile. Would she be able to break Roxanne’s terrible behavior?
Other Passengers Saw
Joan was more than kind and patient. But the young woman only scoffed in response, muttering under her breath about how she couldn’t stand being near “old people.”
“We all paid good money for our seats, so I think you should learn to behave in public,” the other lady in the aisle told her sharply.
Roxanne’s eyes grew wide and she got up and walked towards the toilet.
Tension In The Air
The tension in the air lingered even after Roxanne retreated to the airplane restroom. Other passengers exchanged sympathetic glances with Grandma Joan, silently acknowledging the uncomfortable situation.
Despite their shared discomfort, Grandma Joan felt a wave of gratitude towards those who stood up for her.
She glanced out of the window, trying to distract herself from the awkwardness. But her thoughts kept circling back to Roxanne’s inexplicable behavior. What had she done to deserve such treatment? If only she knew what would happen next.
Anxious
Time seemed to crawl as Grandma Joan waited for Roxanne’s return. With each passing minute, her anxiety mounted.
She hoped that the young woman would come back with a changed demeanor, but deep down, she feared the opposite.
As the restroom door swung open and Roxanne emerged, Grandma Joan held her breath. Would she continue her disruptive behavior, or had the brief respite allowed her to collect herself?
More Hostility
To Grandma Joan’s dismay, Roxanne returned with even more hostility radiating from her. She glared daggers at Grandma Joan as she reclaimed her seat, making it clear that she had no intention of toning down her behavior.
Feeling defeated, Grandma Joan resigned herself to endure the remainder of the flight in discomfort.
But a spark of defiance flickered within her. She refused to let Roxanne’s rudeness ruin her long-awaited trip to see her family. But something terrible was about to happen.
Making Herself Small
Grandma Joan tried to make herself small, desperate not to annoy the younger woman any longer. But little did she know how much worse things would get.
It wasn’t long before the flight attendants began handing out snacks and drinks. Grandma Joan quietly sipped on a cup of tea.
But just half an hour later, she realized that she needed the bathroom urgently. If only she could have known what would happen once she got back.
A Moment Alone
The older woman slowly sat up in her seat and stood up. When she glanced at Roxanne, she was still staring daggers into the laptop before her.
Without a word, she quickly made her way toward the bathroom. As soon as she closed the tiny door behind her, she felt like she could finally breathe.
Sitting beside the young woman, Grandma Joan felt extremely tense. All she wanted was peace and quiet. But the worst was yet to come.
She Was A Mess
The older woman stared at herself in the mirror, astonished by the state she was in. The woman had spilled her drink and food all over her white blouse.
Granda Joan couldn’t understand why the woman would be so insensitive and rude. She took her time in the bathroom, praying that everything would be fine.
But before long, Grandma Joan left and headed back to her seat. But as she approached, she noticed something rather suspicious.
Watching Her
The young woman was looking over her shoulder, waiting for Grandma Joan to return to her seat. Something about the way she stared made Joan feel uncomfortable.
She wondered what tricks the young woman had up her sleeve. But as she walked closer to her seat, her heart began pounding in her chest.
All she wanted was to see her family, but now, she regret leaving her house in the first place. Roxanne was about to do something evil.
The Unthinkable
Despite taking slow and hesitant steps, Grandma Joan finally reached her seat. That was when she did the unthinkable.
As soon as the older woman stepped up to her seat, Roxanne grabbed the cup of coffee before her and purposely dumped the boiling liquid all over her seat.
Grandma Joan watched in shock and horror as the dark liquid coated the seat before dripping off into her handbag, which lay on the floor below it.
What Could She Do?
She couldn’t believe what she had just witnessed. The younger woman stared up at her with a wicked smirk on her face.
She seemed proud of what she had just done. There was no way that the old woman would be able to sit there.
The coffee had soaked into the seat. Grandma Joan had to fight back tears of frustration as she stared at the young woman. What was she supposed to do now?
How Could She?
She had been friendly and considerate of the woman for the entire flight. It didn’t make sense. How could Roxanne hate someone she’d never met?
The woman on the other side of the aisle stared at the terrible mess before her. She tried to call out for a flight attendant, but there was no one around.
“Why would you do something like that?” Grandma Joan asked. With nowhere to sit, she grew worried. Her knees were far too weak for her to stand for hours on end.
Help Was On The Way
But the young woman showed no trace of regret. As far as she was concerned, she had just won. Roxanne didn’t care if she didn’t have a place to sit.
With no flight attendant around to help, the woman from across the aisle decided to get up and help. She could see the tears that were threatening to spill down Joan’s face.
The woman grabbed a towel from her hand luggage and attempted to dry the seat, but it was no use. It would take hours to dry. But help was on the way.
The Man
A young man sitting a few seats away had noticed the commotion. He saw what Roxanne did to the woman’s seat, and he had a plan.
Taking his hand luggage out of the cupboard above him, the man dug around inside of his bag until he found what he was looking for.
Before long, he pulled out a blanket, one that the old woman could sit on and remain dry. But this would only push Roxanne further.
His Blanket
“You should be ashamed of yourself!” he heard the third woman say as she pointed a finger directly at Roxanne. But the young woman didn’t seem bothered.
As far as she was concerned, she was doing what she had to to make the flight more pleasant for herself.
People around had noticed the commotion, and they all felt increasingly sorry for the old woman. The man placed his blanket on the seat, hoping it would help.
Ruining Her Flight
Roxanne was growing increasingly agitated with the people who were trying to help the woman who had, in her opinion, ruined her flight.
“Um, excuse me,” the young woman spoke up. “You are in my space, and I’m going to have to ask you all to go back to your seats.”
But Roxanne had messed with the wrong crowd. Unfortunately, however, Grandma Joan’s pain was far from over.
What Else?
The man ignored Roxanne and told Grandma Joan to take a seat. “It’s a really thick blanket. The coffee shouldn’t be able to soak through,” he promised.
Grandma Joan was grateful for his help. But as she took a seat beside the angry young woman, her heart skipped a beat.
She wondered what else Roxanne had in store for her. She just prayed that everything would be fine by the time they landed.
The Flight Attendant
When one of the flight attendants returned, the man informed her of what had happened, and she seemed furious.
During her time as a flight attendant, she had dealt with many awful people, but Roxanne was the worst of the worst. “I’ll keep an eye on them,” she told the man.
Meanwhile, Grandma Joan sat quietly in her seat as tears slowly slipped past her eyes. She was no stranger to being treated badly because of her age.
She Complained
The flight attendant kept a close eye on the pair as they kept going. She could see how uncomfortable the older woman was in her seat.
Roxanne rolled her eyes when she noticed the tears. She felt no sympathy for the old woman sitting beside her. “Can you stop breathing so loud?” she complained.
Grandma Joan couldn’t believe it. She was trying her best to remain quiet, hoping that the woman would leave her alone. But this was far from over.
Miserable
She ignored the young woman and faced away from her. Her eyes were red and swollen, and she hoped that a nap would do her some good.
Grandma Joan thought that if she slept for a while, she would only wake up once they had landed. She decided to close her eyes.
But Roxanne noticed the old woman’s attempt at making the time pass faster. She was going to make Grandma Joan as miserable as she was.
Bag of Tricks
As the flight continued, Grandma Joan found solace in the thought of reuniting with her loved ones. She closed her eyes, drawing strength from the anticipation of their warm embraces and joyful laughter.
But just as she began to drift into a peaceful reverie, Roxanne unleashed her most disruptive act yet.
With a sly grin, she reached into her bag, pulled out an iPad, and started listening to a podcast at full volume.
Tense Atmosphere
The sudden loudness of the podcast sent shockwaves of panic through the cabin.
Passengers gasped and exchanged bewildered glances as Roxanne looked at the screen, ignoring everyone around her, piercing the already tense atmosphere.
Grandma Joan’s heart sank as she realized Roxanne’s cruel intention. The young woman had done this to exacerbate Grandma Joan’s discomfort, knowing full well that Sparky was her beloved emotional support pet.
Demanding Action
Determined not to let Roxanne’s vindictiveness ruin her journey, Grandma Joan took a deep breath and summoned her inner strength. Ignoring the chaos unfolding around her, she reached out and gently stroked Sparky, whispering soothing words to calm him down.
But Roxanne’s antics had crossed a line, and the other passengers were quick to voice their outrage.
Calls for the flight attendant echoed throughout the cabin as they demanded action to address Roxanne’s blatant disregard for the comfort and safety of her fellow travelers.
Why Are You Doing This?
In the midst of the chaos, Grandma Joan remained a beacon of composure and resilience. With unwavering dignity, she confronted Roxanne, her voice firm but tinged with sadness. “Why are you doing this?” she asked, her eyes searching Roxanne’s for a glimpse of humanity amidst the hostility.
But Roxanne’s only response was a defiant smirk, her eyes gleaming with malice. It was clear that she had no intention of showing remorse or empathy.
And as the situation escalated into a full-blown confrontation, Grandma Joan realized that her peaceful journey had become a battle for dignity and decency in the face of adversity.
Seat Swapping
As the flight progressed, the young woman’s behavior became more erratic. She started pacing up and down the aisle, ignoring the seatbelt sign and causing a commotion among the other passengers.
“Excuse me, can you swap seats with me?” the young woman said with a curt tone, “I’m not sitting next to a grandma.”
Grandma Joan’s heart sank, feeling a pang of rejection. She glanced at the flight attendant, hoping for a solution. But the flight attendant just shrugged her shoulders. She was tired of reprimanding her and didn’t want to bother the Captain.
Disturbing The Other Passengers
The kind attendant named Charlene tried to get her to sit down.
The flight attendant, with a polite smile, explained, “I’m sorry, ma’am, but the flight is full. There are no other available seats.”
Grandma Joan nodded quietly, resigned to her fate. She was determined to have a peaceful journey despite the young woman’s obvious displeasure. But would Roxanne stop bothering everyone around her?
Hell-Bent
It seemed not. It was like this young lady was hell-bent on making not only Grandma Joan’s flight unpleasant but everyone else on the flight as well.
She then decided to take out her phone and went onto social media.
She then began speaking to the screen of her phone. Grandma Joan had no idea what she was doing.
Streaming Live
It was a live stream. Roxanne had decided to let her followers in on the drama unfolding on her flight.
“Hey everyone, you won’t believe what’s going on. I boarded this flight to Boston, and I’m being harassed by this old lady and everyone else on this plane.”
Grandma Joan couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The things coming out of this young woman’s mouth were all just lies.
Caught in the Crossfire
The live stream spread like wildfire across social media platforms, drawing in viewers from around the world. Comments flooded in, with some supporting Roxanne’s version of events and others expressing disbelief and outrage at her behavior.
Grandma Joan felt like she was caught in the crossfire of a battle she hadn’t signed up for.
She glanced around the cabin, seeing the disapproving glares from her fellow passengers and feeling the weight of judgment bearing down on her.
The Air Marshal’s Intervention
Amidst the chaos, the captain made an announcement over the intercom, requesting the presence of the air marshal on board.
Passengers murmured amongst themselves, wondering what could have prompted such a response.
The air marshal arrived swiftly, assessing the situation with a practiced eye. After a brief conversation with the flight attendant, he approached Roxanne and firmly instructed her to cease her disruptive behavior immediately.
Refusal to Comply
But Roxanne’s defiance knew no bounds. With a scornful laugh, she dismissed the air marshal’s warning, proclaiming her innocence to her followers on the live stream.
“You can’t tell me what to do,” she sneered, her voice laced with contempt.
Grandma Joan watched in dismay as Roxanne continued to escalate the situation, seemingly oblivious to the consequences of her actions. She couldn’t understand what had driven the young woman to such extremes.
Spoiled Little Girl
Even though the air marshall stepped in, there was no stopping Roxanne. She was behaving like a spoiled, entitled little girl.
She was saying things like “she belongs in first class” and that everyone on board the flight was “peasants” compared to her.
Grandma Joan wondered if this young woman’s parents knew what their daughter was doing. They would surely be ashamed.
Fed Up
Everyone on board the flight had just about enough for her and her antics. They just wished that the plane would land already.
Never before had Grandma Joan experienced something like this.
It was disturbing to see the young of today behave so terribly in public and then go online and show the world what they have done.
A Self-Destructing Mission
At that point, Grandma Joan and everyone else just decided to go about their own business and let Roxanne self-destruct. It seemed like that was her mission.
Grandma Joan sat back in her seat as she cradled Sparky. She was counting down the hours until the plane landed.
At least she had a friend in the fellow passenger opposite her.
Keeping Busy
The two ladies shared a packet of potato chips between them. They tried to chat and ignored Roxanne’s efforts to have attention on her. But the rude woman complained about the smell of cheese and onion.
“Do you mind?” the young woman snapped, shifting aggressively in her seat and jostling Grandma’s arm.
The old lady was about to slap her, but she took a deep breath and calmed down.
You Are The Problem
Grandma Joan flinched but remained composed, refusing to engage in the hostility. She simply turned her gaze towards the window, pretending not to notice. She petted Sparky to keep calm.
But the young woman wasn’t satisfied. With each passing minute, her antics grew more audacious. She leaned over Grandma to adjust the air vent, deliberately invading her personal space.
Roxanne was taking advantage of her because she wouldn’t fight back.
A Nuisance For Nothing
Joan was doing absolutely nothing wrong. In fact, she was doing everything she could to squash herself into her seat.
But Roxanne kept elbowing her. She was sure she had a bruise or two by now.
“Excuse me, you’re hurting me,” Grandma Joan murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, “Could you please stop?” Joan put her hands together in a prayer position, begging her to be nice.
An Awkward Feeling
The young woman scoffed, rolling her eyes in defiance. “You’re the one who should move,” she retorted, her tone dripping with disdain. “Dogs shouldn’t be on flights,” she said rudely.
Grandma Joan clenched her fists, her patience wearing thin. She couldn’t understand why the young woman was so determined to make her uncomfortable.
She awkwardly sniffed her clothing, wondering if it was her body odor.
She’s An Animal
Suddenly, the young woman’s behavior took a more malicious turn.
She began to spill her snacks and drinks deliberately, splattering crumbs and liquid across the seats and floor. Sparky started barking at her.
Grandma Joan gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief. She felt the warm liquid seeping into her clothes, the crumbs sticking to her skin. Where was the flight attendant?
On Purpose
“Oops,” the young woman smirked, a devious glint in her eye, “Clumsy me.”
She continued to slurp her juice noisily and threw more Takis on top of the old lady.
But Grandma Joan refused to be intimidated. She reached for a napkin, dabbing at the mess with trembling hands, her heart pounding with indignation. She had to fight to hold back her tears.
The Flight Attendant Authority
The flight attendant, who had been observing the situation discreetly, finally intervened. With a stern expression, she approached the young woman, her voice firm and commanding.
“Miss, you need to clean up this mess immediately. I saw what you did,” she instructed, her tone brooking no argument.
“Isn’t that your job?” she responded rudely. The attendant handed her a paper towel.
Stuck In Her Seat
The young woman’s eyes widened in surprise, momentarily taken aback by the flight attendant’s authority.
Reluctantly, she reached for the napkins, grumbling under her breath as she wiped away the spilled snacks and drinks.
Grandma Joan watched in silence, a sense of satisfaction washing over her. She may have been a grandmother, but she refused to be treated with disrespect. Would the rude Roxanne change her attitude now?
Under Control
As the flight continued, the atmosphere between Grandma Joan and the young woman remained tense but subdued. She was still mumbling under her breath, but she stopped picking on poor Joan.
The young woman, chastened by the flight attendant’s reprimand, kept to herself, no longer seeking to provoke Grandma.
Perhaps there was hope for the Gen-Z girl just yet.
Almost There
Grandma Joan, for her part, focused on the journey ahead, determined to enjoy the flight despite the rocky start. And as the plane touched down at their destination, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of triumph.
For Grandma Joan had faced adversity with grace and resilience, proving that even in the face of hostility, kindness and dignity would always prevail.
But her flight was landing in Boston, and she would never have to see Roxanne’s rude face again.