Stella finally took her seat in the plane’s business class. However, the man next to her, Franklin Delaney, did not want to sit next to her and told the stewardess that the elderly lady did not belong there as she did not look like a person who could afford it. The stewardess firmly replied that this seat belonged to Stella and tried to calm Franklin down, but he continued to insist that the seat was too expensive for her. Stella felt embarrassed because she was wearing her best clothes and hated anyone judging her. The argument dragged on and boarding was delayed. Other stewardesses arrived, but Franklin remained adamant and some passengers supported him by asking Stella to leave her seat. She felt humiliated and finally decided to give in. “If there is a seat in economy class, I can move there. I spent all my savings on this ticket, but I don’t want to be a burden to others,” she said, putting her hand on the stewardess’s. She was 85 years old and had never flown before, so this trip was especially important to her.
Despite the stewardess’s protests, Franklin agreed to let Stella sit next to him when she was offered help. During the flight, when Stella got a fright and dropped her bag, Franklin helped her pick up the things. In doing so, he noticed her ruby-colored pendant and expressed admiration. “This is special,” he said. Stella said that the pendant was a gift from her father, who had promised to return. She remembered how he gave it to her mother in the hope of a return. “He never returned,” she said quietly. Franklin, hearing this, apologized for his previous behavior. He showed interest in her story and asked what had happened to her father.
Stella explained how hard it was for her family after his disappearance and how her mother was never able to recover from this loss. She had given her the pendant when she was ten years old and asked to keep it. Stella added that although she had financial difficulties, she had never thought of selling the pendant. Its true value was in the memories. Inside the pendant were two photos: her parents in youth and her son. “This is my son, and that’s exactly why I’m here,” Stella confessed.
She recounted that she had to give him up for adoption when she could not offer him a dignified life. She flew for his birthday, hoping to spend at least a moment with him. “This is the only way,” she said. When the plane landed, the pilot announced that the biological mother was on board, and after leaving the cabin, he came straight up to her. With a big smile, he hugged her. Passengers and crew applauded their reunion, and Stella could not hold back her tears of joy. This story reminds us of the importance of being kind to strangers, the power of forgiveness, and the value of family ties.
