The small, unexpected gesture brought an instant, genuine warmth to Elena’s chest, softening the heavy air of introspection that had settled over her earlier. The little girl on board, her mother had explained to Clara, was flying for the very first time and was utterly terrified until she saw Elena walking through the gate area in her crisp uniform. Seeing a female captain leading the flight had instantly dissolved the child’s fears, replacing them with a sense of wonder and possibility.
Wings Over Solitude
