Victoria looked away.
“That bad?”
“I don’t know.”
“Neither do I.”
Jenna closed her laptop.
“That is probably the useful part.”
Victoria’s six-month suspension from the advisory council expired.
Aurelia invited her to return.
She declined.
Not dramatically.
She wrote:
I think the council will benefit from people whose experience of the airline differs more from mine.
Priya showed Marcus.
He nodded.
“Good.”
No congratulatory call.
No friendship.
Their paths crossed again eleven months later.
New York LaGuardia.
Different terminal.
Different flight.
Marcus was standing near a coffee shop.
Victoria saw him first.
She stopped.
Then approached.
“Mr. Ellison.”
Marcus turned.
“Mrs. Ashford.”
She looked at his clothes.
Navy jacket.
Jeans.
Same backpack.
She almost laughed.
“You dress like this on purpose.”
Marcus smiled.
“Like what?”
“You know exactly what I mean.”
“Careful.”
She laughed softly.
“Fair.”
They stood awkwardly.
Then Victoria said:
“I wanted to thank you for not having my status canceled.”
Marcus looked confused.
“Why would I?”
“I embarrassed you publicly.”
“You embarrassed yourself publicly.”
She winced.
“Also fair.”
Marcus continued.
“Airline status is based on published rules.”
“You met them.”
“Your advisory role was different because it involved judgment.”
Victoria nodded.
“I understand.”
A pause.
Then:
“I’m sorry again.”
Marcus nodded.
“Thank you.”
She looked toward him.
“Do you forgive me?”
Marcus almost smiled.
“That is a big question for an airport coffee line.”
She laughed.
“Right.”
He took time.
“I don’t spend time being angry with you.”
“Is that forgiveness?”
“I don’t know.”
Victoria nodded.
“Fair enough.”
Marcus ordered coffee.