Chapter 10 - THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT WHO LOST HER WINGS
Evelyn returned to New York six weeks after the emergency.
She expected to resume flying.
Instead, she received a letter.
Her airline had extended her leave pending the completion of its internal review.
Evelyn read it twice.
Then called Claire Donovan.
Claire listened.
“Send me the letter.”
Evelyn swallowed.
“Do they think I did something wrong?”
“Not necessarily. But we need to make sure the process is fair.”
Evelyn looked toward her uniform hanging in the closet.
She had spent six years building a career.
She loved flying.
The early mornings.
The strange cities.
The brief connections with people she'd never see again.
Now she felt as though someone had taken the sky away.
That evening, Antonio called.
“How are you?”
Evelyn laughed without humor.
“Grounded.”
He was silent.
She continued.
“They still won't let me fly.”
Antonio exhaled.
“I'm sorry.”
She closed her eyes.
Then said, “I don't want you to fix it.”
“I know.”
She swallowed.
“I just needed to tell someone.”
Antonio's voice softened.
“Then I'm listening.”
For a long moment, Evelyn said nothing.
Then she began to cry.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
Just quietly.
Antonio stayed on the line.
He didn't interrupt.
Didn't promise miracles.
May you like
He simply listened.
And for the first time since Shannon, Evelyn felt less alone.
