Just minutes earlier, Natalie’s mood had been so different. She had mentally prepared herself for the upcoming flight. It was her first month back at work after that horrible day, and though it was busy, it provided a much-needed distraction from the grief.
Her job as a flight attendant, and the interactions it brought, helped her feel better after the tough time she had been through since the previous year. Before boarding the plane, Natalie took a deep breath and forced a fake smile. She had told herself that if she kept pretending to be happy, eventually her body would believe it too.