Settling In
After a week at his parents’, Teddy and I were finally heading home. I couldn’t wait to crash in my own bed. He grabbed my backpack as we boarded, we buckled into our seats, and the engine’s hum promised sleep was near.
Then it happened. The woman behind us propped her bare feet on Teddy’s headrest and started chatting loudly with her friend.
Passive Aggression
Every time Teddy nudged his seat back, she kicked it. He asked politely twice to stop. She rolled her eyes and laughed. When the flight attendant intervened, she briefly removed her feet — but the moment the attendant walked away, they returned, as if she owned the place.
Teddy tried to nap but flinched constantly. Watching him tense, I decided passive tolerance wasn’t working.
A Taste of Retribution
When the drink cart arrived, Teddy ordered a gin and tonic. I grabbed a water bottle, twisting the cap deliberately slow, pretending to be clumsy. Then I tipped half the water onto her bag tucked beside her feet. Dark, wet, unmistakable.
She didn’t notice at first and kept yammering. Then, I poured a sip of Teddy’s gin right onto her bare toes. She screamed, yanked her feet back, nearly kicking her friend. The cabin went silent for a beat. I offered a sweet, innocent apology and blamed turbulence.
Shock and Submission
She sputtered, swore, and wiped her feet with napkins. Her friend muttered about “paying for comfort.” A few rows over, passengers shifted, more alert now. When the meal service came, she even apologized aloud for nearly spilling her food — and, magically, she kept her feet off Teddy’s seat for the rest of the flight.
Every glance afterward carried a death glare. I kept my face blank and sipped my drink like a saint. Petty? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.
Victory
By the time we deplaned, her bag was damp. She shoved past, muttering under her breath. Teddy squeezed my hand, laughing.
“You really showed her,” he said, eyes twinkling.
“I’m showering first,” he added. “Then crashing.”
“Same,” I replied, and for once, I allowed myself to enjoy the small, satisfying victory of defending the little slice of decency that belonged to us.
