Off The Record
A Child On A Plane Gave Me A Note And Ten Dollars. It Changed My Life
I had no idea that the person I would meet on a plane would end up playing a major role in my life. Everything started with a rumpled note that contained some money and concluded with a joyful relationship that is still going strong!
I had no idea what to anticipate from that specific flight. To me, it was just one more journey I had made over the years to visit my grandparents back home. My normal procedure was to board the aircraft, put my carry-on luggage away, and then settle in to read or check my emails for a few hours. But this time, something incredible occurred that irrevocably altered my life!
I was intrigued by something I saw as soon as I got on the plane, tucked my carry-on into the overhead bin, and took a seat in the aisle: a youngster who looked like he was in his tens or elevens years old, sitting next to me. I figured his mom or one of his parents was in the restroom or something.
But I noticed he was alone as the plane took off. It was evident from his fidgeting and nervous glances about the cabin that he was uncomfortable and not used to this situation.
I attempted to keep my distance from him because he swiftly averted his gaze when I gave him a modest smile. Rather, his eyes were fixed on the safety card that was in the front seat pocket. I decided to leave him alone since I thought he was simply shy and possibly a bit overwhelmed by the whole thing.
I took out my phone to see what time it was. Even before we took off, I could feel the strain evaporating from him. It took a few minutes for the incident to occur as the plane started to taxi down the runway.
The boy reached out a trembling hand without looking at me. With wide eyes, he held out a crumpled piece of paper without saying anything. There was a ten-dollar bill sticking out of the letter when I removed it.
The boy simply held out the paper until I received it, refusing to look me in the eye. I accepted the note, confused, looking at the fine handwriting. I knew I had to get in touch with his mother as soon as I read the note.
The text of the note said:
“Please, if you’re reading this, it means that my son with autism is sitting next to you. He might be nervous and might ask several times how soon the plane is going to land. I am his mom, and I am waiting for him at home but will pick him up at the airport when he lands. Please be kind and patient. Here is $10 for your patience. Here is my number if he needs anything.”
As I read it, a knot started to grow in my throat. I looked at the youngster, whose small hands were clenched into fists as he stared hard at the seat in front of him. I felt like there was a weight bearing down on me as I held the $10 in my hand.
It was more than just a child on a plane. This story was about a boy navigating an often overwhelming world, and the love of a mother. I was aware that I couldn’t simply keep the money to myself and watch TV.
I looked about wildly for my phone. Even for a few hours, this youngster needed someone to be there for him. I took out my phone, used the Wi-Fi on the plane, and texted the number mentioned in the memo.
“Hi, my name’s Derek. I’m sitting next to your son on the plane. He’s doing just fine, but I wanted to let you know I’m here if he needs anything.”
The reply arrived nearly instantaneously:
“Thank you so much, Derek. He’s had a rough few days, but I know he’ll be okay with you there. Please let him know I’m thinking of him.”
I turned to the boy, who was still staring straight ahead. “Hey, buddy,” I said gently. “Your mom says hi. She’s thinking of you.”
His demeanor softened slightly as he gave me a quick glance and then turned back to face the window. Though it was obvious he wasn’t one for small talk, I wasn’t going to let that stop me. I wanted to give him the best possible experience on this flight.
“Do you like airplanes?” In an attempt to start a conversation, I inquired.
He gave a small nod, but he didn’t look me in the eye.
“Me too,” I said, leaning back in my seat. “I always think it’s cool how we get to travel so high up in the sky. It’s like being in a big metal bird.”
He remained silent, but I could feel his shoulders loosening up a bit. Encouraged, I made the decision to proceed. With the intention of spending the $10 the youngster had given me, I motioned for the flight attendant.
“Can I get a snack for my friend here?” Grinning at the flight attendant, I inquired.
The boy looked up, surprised, when I handed him a bag of pretzels and a soda. “Here you go,” I said, passing the items to him. “I figured you might be hungry.”
He took a time to consider before accepting the snack, murmuring a low “thank you.” I considered it a minor win considering it was the first time he had talked since we boarded!
I kept talking to him as we flew, addressing his inquiries about how long the flight would go and if we would be passing over any interesting locations. I sensed that by being soothing and quiet, I was able to calm his anxiety.
I decided to take a short selfie of the two of us at one point. I just wanted a plain old image to present to his mother, nothing special. However, I asked my quiet companion whether it would be okay if I took the shot first.
In response, he shifted closer to me in order to fit inside the frame. I showed him the photo after I took it, and he smiled for the first time! It was a little, timid smile, I must confess, but a smile none the less! I considered that a win because, at the time, I was a 30-year-old man without children or any experience raising kids.
“Can I send this to your mom?” I asked, feeling bolder. He nodded, so I sent it off with a quick message: “He’s doing great. We’re having a good time.”
She responded right away, expressing her appreciation and her relief, as I could tell. I reasoned that she was probably fretting the entire time while perched on the edge of her seat. It helped me to understand how difficult it must have been for her to leave her son on an aircraft by himself and have faith that a stranger would look after him.
The youngster was much calmer by the time we began our descent! He even struck up a small conversation with me, telling me about his favorite video games and his excitement to meet his mother. Compared to the tense and restless child I had encountered at the start of the journey, it had completely changed!
As we landed and made our way to the gate, he turned to me and asked, “Will you walk with me to get my luggage? I’m supposed to meet my mom there.”
“Of course,” I replied without hesitation. “We’ll find her together!”
As we disembarked and navigated the busy terminal, I noticed a nervous woman waiting close to the carousel near baggage claim. Her gaze was sweeping over the assembly. Her smile brightened the instant she noticed her son, the boy who was strolling beside me!
She ran over and gave him a firm embrace!
“Thank you,” she said to me, her voice thick with emotion. “You have no idea what this means to me.”
I grinned, pleasantly surprised by the unexpected warmth in my chest. “There was absolutely no issue,” I uttered. “He’s a great kid.”
She was a stunning woman who, to be honest, appeared to be around my age or even younger. Although I was curious to get to know her, I was already fond of her son and didn’t know much about her background.
“I am Diane, he is Elliot,” she said, glancing first at the youngster and then back at me.
“Nice to officially meet you, Diane and Elliot, I am Derek,” I replied as I shook both their hands.
I felt electricity shoot through me as soon as I grasped Diane’s hand, and I asked rashly, “Would you like to grab a coffee sometime? before I realized what I was doing. as a token of your gratitude to me?”
Though it was a straightforward question, I was surprised by it! I had anticipated little more than a quick meeting, but there was something about her and her son that just clicked! a feeling that this wasn’t your typical get-together.
I was surprised when she smiled and said, “I’d like that.”
The tale of Elliot traveling alone came to light as we waited there waiting for his bags. Her son was on a visit with his father, her former spouse, who abruptly declined to accompany him on the return flight, leaving him on the aircraft by himself.
With just the $10 his father gave him before sending him off and a note his mother wanted him to write and retain, this courageous little boy had been traveling alone.
As our long-distance relationship allowed me to get to know Diane better, my gut feeling that she wasn’t a poor mother was reinforced. Two years later, the apprehensive young guy on the plane is now my stepson!
His mother, my amazing wife, still chuckles when she recounts to others how a little note and a $10 dollar resulted in the greatest thing that has ever happened to us both! And just like that, a routine flight altered my life forever!
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