From the moment I sat next to her, I knew it was going to be an uncomfortable flight. As she fumbled with her seatbelt, her elbow jabbed at my side.

“Watch it!” I snapped.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured, looking flustered. But I wasn’t in the mood to be kind.

“Excuse you? Or excuse the 3,000 doughnuts you ate to get to that size?” I sneered, my annoyance growing.

The shock in her eyes only pushed me further. “When you travel, you should book two seats!” I mocked.

Her eyes welled with tears, but I wasn’t done. I criticized her cheap clothes, the worn shoes, and made cruel comments about how she probably spent her budget on food rather than an extra seat.

When the flight attendant came with the drinks cart, I made another jab. “I don’t know what Moby Dick here will drink…” I joked.

The woman ordered a diet Coke quietly, wiping away tears. I scoffed, and she turned to face the window, ignoring me.

Later, the flight attendant returned with a smile, announcing the captain wanted to meet the woman. I watched her leave, confused. Moments later, the captain’s voice filled the cabin.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special guest onboard!” he announced. It was the famous opera singer, Allison, on her way to a charity concert.

I froze in horror, realizing who I had been so cruel to. When she returned, I apologized.

She looked at me sternly. “You shouldn’t treat people like that, EVER,” she said. I was ashamed, and I knew she was right.