The younger flight attendant shot Nimita an evil smile and continued on.
The couple changed and Nimita cleaned up the mess. Track Suit kept giving her the side-eye as if Nimita cleaning was disruptive to her. Nimita apologized, but the woman simply sneered and commented that she was still waiting for her martini.
“Of course,” Nimita said as she finished cleaning. Luckily the seats weren’t wet. The couple returned from changing and started to sit back down.
Nimita offered more apologies and brought them fresh drinks.
“I am still waiting for my first drink,” demanded Track Suit.
“Of course.” Nimita went back and made a fresh drink for Track Suit. Shelly approached as she made it.
“I can take it over,” Shelly offered.
Not really caring for further interaction with Track Suit and thinking that Shelly might be feeling bad about what had happened, Nimita agreed. “That would be great.”
Nimita started up the aisle to the galley to check on the other passengers. She had to pass Shelly as she stood chatting with Track Suit, who finally had her drink in hand. Nimita excused herself to slide past Shelly, barely brushing her, when Shelly lurched forward as if pushed, causing Track Suit to spill her drink all over herself.
“Nimita, how could you!” Shelly shrieked.
“Did she do that on purpose?” Track Suit gasped, clearly delighted to add to the drama.
“She did! She hates me!” Shelly wailed.
“You poor sweet young thing! After all you’ve done for me!” Track Suit said, reveling in the heads turning their way.
Nimita’s mouth had gaped open. “I did not push you!”
“Then how did I fall?” wailed Shelly.
“I have no idea,” Nimita insisted
“She pushed you. Plain and simple,” said Track Suit.
“That is not true!” Nimita insisted.
“I saw it. I’m a passenger. Are you calling me a liar?” Track Suit started to stand.
Nimita was trying to keep it together. Track Suit couldn’t have seen what hadn’t happened, but Nimita couldn’t argue, either. “No. But you must be mistaken.” She noticed phones pointing in their direction now.
“You’re calling me a liar,” Track Suit insisted. “Do you have any idea who I am?”
“I didn’t see her push anyone,” said Mrs. Ryan mildly.
Track Suit stood and turned on her. “And what the hell do you know about it?”
“I know what my eyes saw. And this sweet woman was just trying to get by.” Then Mrs. Ryan pointed at Shelly and added, “That one fell on you all on her own.”
Tears left Shelly’s eyes as fast as they came as she turned on the woman. “That is a lie.”
“I have no reason to lie,” Mrs. Ryan insisted calmly.
“Oh, but I do?” Track Suit turned around to face the woman.
“I don’t know about all that. I’m just saying no one was pushed.” She let her gaze land on Shelly. “Though I wonder now about just how hard you must have shouldered your colleague when she spilled drinks on my husband and me.”
Shelly widened her eyes in shock. “Are you implying that I pushed her?”
Voices were rising. This was becoming a scene. Even more phones were out and recording.
