Elena was fifty-two and had never been on a plane. Her son's baby, her first grandson, was three weeks old. She had a ticket for a three-hour flight, and at the gate her legs shook.
In the window seat, 14A, sat Theo, a boy of eight, flying alone. "Do you want the window?" he asked. "I've done this six times." At takeoff Elena shut her eyes. "Takeoff is just the plane running very fast until the ground gets bored of it," said Theo. She laughed.
Later the plane shook. "Don't be afraid, I've got you," Elena said, and took his hand. "I'm not afraid," said Theo. "I'm holding your hand because you look scared." They laughed. At the airport her son held a baby in a blue blanket. "I flew," she whispered. "I flew for you."
