Chapter 22

Cecelia was making her way down the aisle, pad and pen in hand. She didn't appear any more joyful or warm than when Buddy saw her earlier. She still appeared annoyed at, well, everything. She started taking orders at the row in front of Buddy.

“Anything to drink?” Buddy heard her ask six times, routinely and in monotone, before she got to him.

“Well, hello, ma'am, and how are you today?” Buddy replied to the same question.

“I'm fine. Do you want anything to drink?”

“Oh, a fifth cup of coffee would be great, thank you. Black, please. Don't want anything to pollute my coffee,” Buddy added with his continued smile.

Jon ordered a coffee as well and Cecelia was about to move on when Buddy asked her again, “Ma'am, are you sure you're okay? You seem a little bothered.”

Cecilia glared at Buddy. “Sir, other than having a couple of team members who aren't pulling their weight, and passengers who are preventing me from doing my job, I'm fine, as I clearly told you!”

“Well,” Buddy continued kindly, “If I can do anything to help, you know where to find me.”

“I don't need any help, thank you,” Cecelia said bluntly as she turned to the passengers across the aisle.

Buddy and Jon sat in silence for a few minutes as Cecelia moved to the rows behind them.

“Wow,” Jon finally said. “That's not a happy person.”

“She doesn't appear so, does she? Must be having a bad day.”

“Or a bad life,” Jon interjected.

“I don't want to take it that far. Remember, we can't judge because we don't know ...

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