The first officer.
Formal.
Controlled.
“Ladies and gentlemen, apologies for the unintended transmission. We hope you enjoy the remainder of the flight.”
People laughed awkwardly.
Someone near the front clapped once.
To everyone else, it had been an embarrassing cockpit mistake.
A private conversation accidentally broadcast.
To me, it was the end of my marriage.
To Caleb, it was something much worse.
Because he had heard his father say my name.
“Mom?”
His headphones were around his neck.
I could not answer.
“Who’s Sienna?”
I looked at him.
His face was pale.
“Did Dad say your name?”
I reached for his hand.
“Caleb.”
“Did he?”
“Yes.”
“Why does he have a lawyer?”
A woman across the aisle immediately looked away.
She knew.
Anyone who had heard the transmission understood enough.
I wanted to disappear.
Not for myself.
For my child.
Caleb whispered:
“What does five months mean?”
That was when I realized he had not understood everything.
Thank God.
I leaned closer.
“Your dad was having a private conversation that we were not supposed to hear.”
