The woman, undeterred and still fuming, shot back, “And you’re the perfect example of respect, aren’t you? Yelling at a mother in front of her child!” The argument had turned into a full-blown spectacle, a harsh and vivid clash of tempers and perspectives, playing out in the confined space of the airplane cabin.
Suddenly, the elderly woman seated next to Carl, now turned to him with a stern but concerned look. “Young man, enough of this now,” she said in a direct, no-frills tone. “The boy has stopped his kicking, and you dragging out this argument will not only ruin your peace but everyone else’s here.” She gave a pointed look around at the other passengers, some still glancing their way.