I slowly stood.
Pain shot through my left side as I balanced on my cane.
I lifted the carry-on against my chest.
To everyone else, it was just luggage.
To me, it held something sacred.
Then I took Lily’s hand.
We had only taken a few steps when the cockpit door opened.
The captain stepped into the aisle.
Gray touched his temples, and his uniform was perfectly pressed.
At first, he didn’t look at the gate agent.
He looked at me.
Then his eyes moved to my cane, the challenge coin on my bag, the veteran ID beside my boarding pass.
His expression changed.
He straightened his shoulders and slowly raised his hand in a sharp military salute.
The entire aircraft fell silent.
I straightened as much as I could, and returned the salute.
“Sir,” he said loudly enough for first class to hear, “it’s an honor to have you aboard my aircraft.”
