did this while I was sleeping!”
She looked at his decorated feet.
“Well, sir, I suggest you put your shoes on. And please keep your feet within your own seating area.”
“That’s not the point!”
He bent down and started yanking at the rings. The purple one slipped off easily, but the pink one remained stubbornly in place. Diane offered him a napkin.
“Here. This might help you get a better grip.”
“I don’t need your help!”
He nearly fell before the ring came loose. A passenger behind us let out a snort.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake!” he snapped.
He stuffed the ring into his pocket and stomped toward the restroom, still displaying those unmistakable pink toenails.
Diane bent toward me, thoroughly amused.
“I think he’s going to remember you.”
I gave a quiet laugh.
“Oh, I’m counting on it.”
He had no idea I recognized him, and I certainly
had no intention of revealing that while we were still on the plane. And if he believed a surprise pedicure would be his worst experience that week, he had another unpleasant surprise coming.
By the time I arrived home, exhaustion was catching up with me.
“Mommy!”
Megan sprinted along the hallway and launched herself into my arms.
“Did you miss me?” I asked.
“Yes! Did you bring me something?”
I laughed.
“Well, somebody has their priorities straight.”
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I unpacked the Barbie polish set and the plastic rings I hadn’t used. Megan gasped at the sight.
“Oh my gosh! Mom, they’re beautiful!”
She examined the rings, then noticed the open bottles.
“Wait. Why are some of these bottles open?”
“Funny story, sweetheart. I had to borrow a little polish on the airplane.”
“For what?”
I sat beside her and recounted the incident. By the time I described the absurdly
