My spoiled husband got first class for himself and his mom, but I had to stay in economy with the kids. I wasn’t going to just sit back, though. I made sure that his “luxury” trip had some bumps, which turned his flight into a lesson he will never forget.
Dear reader, my name is Sophie and this is Clark. He is my husband. That person who is always stressed out and thinks his job is the most important thing in the world? Not that I don’t understand, but what’s up? As a mom, things aren’t always a spa day. Anyway, he did even better this time. Are you ready?
In any case, we were meant to spend the holidays with his family last month. It was meant to be a time for the family to relax, spend time together, and make fun memories for the kids. That’s it, right?
When Clark offered to book the flights, I thought, “Great, one less thing for me to worry about.”
I was so stupid, I tell you.
“Clark, honey, where are our seats?” With our toddler on one hip and a diaper bag on the other, I asked. People in work suits and stressed-out families were rushing to their gates, making the airport a mess.
I had been married to Clark for eight years, and he was on his phone. He mumbled, “Oh, um, about that,” but he didn’t even look up.
There was a knot in my stomach. “What do you mean, ‘about that’?”
Finally put his phone away and gave me that embarrassed grin I’d grown to fear.
I was able to get a ticket to first class for my mom and me. You know how she gets on long trips, and I need to get some rest…”
Hold on. A better room for the two of them? I looked at him intently, ready for the funny part. It didn’t show up.
“So, let me get this straight,” I yelled. “You and your mother are sitting in first class, while I’m stuck in economy with both kids?”
Clark was so bold as to shrug. What the heck is this guy thinking? Argh.
“Come on, man. Don’t cause so much trouble! Soph, it’s only a few hours away. “Everything will be okay.”
Just when he needed her, his mother Nadia showed up with her expensive bags. “Oh, Clark! There you are. Are we ready for our fancy flight?”
She smirked like she had won an Olympic gold medal, and her eyes made me feel like I could melt.
I saw them walk off to the first-class lounge, leaving me with two grumpy kids and a rising need to get even.
I said in my head, “Oh, it’ll be nice,” as a tasty, small plan formed in my mind. “Just you wait.”
I couldn’t help but notice the sad difference between first class and economy as we got on the plane. I was having a hard time getting our carry-on into the overhead bin while Clark and Nadia were already drinking champagne.
Our five-year-old kid whined, “Mommy, I want to sit with Daddy!”
I tried to smile. “Not this time, honey.” Dad and Grandma are sitting in a unique area of the plane.
“Why can’t we sit there too?”
“Because Daddy’s a special kind of jerk.”
“What was that, Mommy?”
“Nothing, sweetheart. Please fasten your seat belt.
As I was putting the kids down, I caught a glimpse of Clark lying back in his roomy seat and looking very happy with himself. When I thought of his wallet, I grabbed it. Yes! How to do it!
As we went through the security station earlier, I was slightly behind. While Clark and Nadia were talking, I put my hand in his carry-on without drawing attention to myself. I quickly found his wallet, put it in my bag, and went back to line as if nothing had happened. That’s smart, right? I understand! I understand!
Now let’s pick up where we left off. As I watched Clark, I couldn’t help but smile wickedly. Things were going to get really interesting on this flight.
My kids were asleep by the second hour of the flight, and I was enjoying the quiet. At that point, I saw the flight attendant walk toward the first-class section with a tray full of fancy meals. Oh, yummy!
It was like seeing a dog drool over a juicy steak while I had to eat thin peanuts.
I watched as Clark ordered the most expensive things on the menu and drank the best booze. He was living the high life.
Someone else on the flight asked me, “Would you like anything from the snack cart, ma’am?”
I smiled. “Please just give me water.” Maybe some popcorn too. “I think I’m about to see a really good show.”
The worker looked confused but did what was asked.
As expected, thirty minutes later I saw Clark looking through his pockets very quickly. When he noticed his wallet was gone, the color left his face.
I couldn’t understand what was being said, but his body language told me everything. The flight attendant stood strong and held out her hand, ready to be paid.
Clark made a lot of hand gestures, and his voice got loud enough for me to pick out bits and pieces.
“But I’m sure I had it…” “Why don’t we just… I’ll pay when we land!”
I took a seat and ate my popcorn. There was nothing better than this on the plane. Wow, that was SO COOL!
The moment I had been waiting for finally came. As Clark made his way down the aisle to economy class, he looked like he had been scolded. And to me!
Standing next to my place and whispering, “Soph,” It’s not where I left it. Tell me you have some cash.
I put on my most worry face. “No way!” That’s awful, honey. How much do you need?”
He writhed. “Uh, about $1500?”
I almost choked on my water. “$1,000.00? What the heck did you order? “The blue whale?”
He yelled, “Look, it doesn’t matter,” and nervously looked back at first class. “Do you have it or not?”
To make a point, I looked through my bag. “Let me check my money. I have about $200.” Does that help?”
The desperate look on his face was worth a lot of money. “I guess it’s better than nothing. Thank you.
I said, “Hey, doesn’t your mom have her credit card? “as he turned to leave. She’d probably be glad to help!”
For Clark, the thought of having to ask his mom to save him took all the blood off his face. This was better than any plan I had for getting even.
It was fun to be awkward for the rest of the trip. Clark and Nadia sat there in dead quiet. Their first-class experience had been ruined completely. In the meantime, I was enjoying my economy spot much more than before.
As we started to go down, Clark went back to economy one more time.
“Soph, have you seen my wallet?” I’ve looked everywhere.”
I put on my bravest face. “No, honey. “Are you sure you didn’t leave it at home?”
He was clearly angry as he ran his hands through his hair. “I think I had it at the airport.” “This is a bad dream.”
I slapped his arm and said, “Well, at least you got to enjoy first class, right?”
The way he looked at me could have made milk curdle. “Yeah, real enjoyable.”
As he crept back to his place, I couldn’t help but feel a little proud. I learned my lesson!
Clark looked as bad as a lemon after the trip. Nadia had done the smart thing of running into the bathroom, probably to avoid seeing the look on his face. I understood why she did what she did. Clark’s mood wasn’t getting better, and it was one of those classic “if looks could kill” times.
“I can’t believe I lost my wallet,” Clark said as he searched his pockets a tenth time.
“Are you sure you didn’t leave it in first class?” I tried my best to keep a straight face as I asked.
He gave me a mean look. “I checked already. “Thrice.”
I bit my lip to keep the smile that was about to come out from behind. It was too good.
“Maybe it fell out during one of those fancy meals they served you.”
“That’s really funny, Soph. It’s not a joke. It’s got to be possible to find it.
He then sighed deeply and slouched his shoulders. “I hope no one took it and ran off with it.” It has all of our cards in it.
“Yeah, that would suck!”
Clark kept complaining about losing his wallet, so I casually closed my bag zipper and hid my little secret inside. I wasn’t going to let him off the hook just yet.
Anyway, it was weirdly satisfying to see him fumble around a bit after leaving us for first class.
It was hard for me not to get excited as we walked out of the airport. The wallet would stay hidden for a little while longer. Then I’d use his card to buy something nice for myself before giving it back. No one is hurt by a little artistic justice!
For other tourists, keep this in mind: if your partner ever tries to move up and leave you behind, some creative justice could make the trip better. In the flight of life, we’re all in it together, whether we’re in second or first class.
Another story: After my husband died too soon, three months later, I read a message that turned my sadness into something evil. It showed me that my husband wasn’t who I thought he was by revealing lies.
This work is based on real people and events, but it has been made up for artistic reasons. To protect privacy and make the story better, names, characters, and circumstances have been changed. Any similarity to real people, living or dead, or real events is completely accidental and not on purpose by the author.
The author and publisher don’t promise that the events or people are true to life, and they’re not responsible for any wrong ideas that come up. This story is given “as is,” and any ideas shown are the characters’ alone and do not represent those of the author or publisher.
