When a rude passenger refused to move his bare foot from my armrest, I gave him a surprise pedicure while he slept. He was furious, but he had no idea our paths would cross again.
I was four hours into a packed flight when something warm brushed my elbow.
I looked down.
Five bare toes were resting on my armrest.
I looked down.
For a second, I honestly thought I was imagining it.
Then the smell hit me.
I turned around. The man behind me looked about forty-five, wearing an expensive watch and headphones, with his shoes kicked under the seat.
“Excuse me. Could you move your foot?”
He pulled one headphone aside.
“Let them breathe.”
“It’s not touching you.”
“It’s on my armrest.”
“My feet need to breathe.”
“Then let them breathe in your own seat.”
He smirked. “It’s an airplane. We’re all sharing space.”
I stared at him.
He glanced at my other arm.
“So use your other armrest and don’t bother me.”
I stared at him.
He smiled, put his headphones back on, and wiggled his toes.
I moved my elbow away.
I turned around.
Ten minutes later, his foot was still there.
When the plane hit turbulence, his toes actually brushed my sleeve.
I turned around again.
“Seriously. Move your foot.”
He sighed like I was exhausting him.
He laughed.
“Lady, it’s just a foot. You’re acting like I put it on your dinner plate.”
The woman beside me made a face.
“That’s disgusting.”
He laughed.
“You two need to relax.”
“Okay.”
That was when I stopped arguing.
“Okay,” I said.
He smirked, clearly convinced he’d won.
Twenty minutes later, he fell asleep.
His bare foot was still inches from my elbow.
He smirked.
I stared at it for a moment.
Then an idea came to me.
I glanced at the woman beside me.
“Would you mind blocking his view if he wakes up?”
Her eyebrows rose.
Her eyes widened.
“Why?”
I leaned closer and whispered my plan.
Her eyes widened. Then she covered her mouth to keep from laughing.
“Oh, you’re actually doing that? You’re my queen,” she whispered, winking at me.
I smiled.
The man was snoring.
“By the way, I’m Diane,” she whispered.
“Rebecca.”
“Well, Rebecca, this is officially the most entertaining flight I’ve ever taken.”
I glanced over my shoulder. The man was snoring, completely oblivious.
“Just promise you’ll warn me if he wakes up.”
I reached beneath the seat.
Diane gave me a solemn nod.
“Consider me your lookout.”
I reached beneath the seat in front of me, pulled out my carry-on bag, and slowly unzipped it.
I’d just spent five days away on a business trip, and I’d promised my eight-year-old daughter, Megan, that I’d bring her something special.
I’d planned to surprise Megan.
Megan was obsessed with Barbie and anything pink. So when I spotted a Barbie-themed beauty set at a gift shop, I knew she’d love it.
It contained six shades of pink nail polish and a collection of plastic rings topped with enormous fake gemstones. Some of those stones were nearly the size of golf balls.
I’d planned to surprise Megan that evening.
Diane stared at it.
But surely she wouldn’t mind if I borrowed a few things first.
I pulled out the brightest bottle.
Diane stared at it.
“Oh, this is going to be beautiful.”
“Just make sure nobody sees.”
He didn’t stir.
She shifted in her seat, shielding me from curious passengers.
I leaned toward the man’s foot and carefully painted his big toenail hot pink.
He didn’t stir.
I continued, giving each visible toenail a different shade.
Diane was shaking with silent laughter.
I’d finished painting.
“You’re surprisingly good at this.”
“Eight years of having a daughter who thinks every weekend is a spa day.”
Once I’d finished painting, I selected two plastic rings. One featured an enormous pink diamond, while the other had a glittering purple heart.
I carefully slipped them onto his toes.
We both froze.
“I cannot believe he’s sleeping through this,” Diane whispered.
“Apparently, his feet are more considerate when he’s unconscious.”
Just then, the man shifted.
We both froze.
He scratched his nose, mumbled something unintelligible, and turned his head toward the window.
The man shifted.
Then he resumed snoring.
Diane pressed both hands over her mouth.
I screwed the polish cap shut and tucked the remaining gifts back into my bag.
Then I settled into my seat and admired our handiwork.
Five pink toenails. Two sparkling rings.
The man finally woke up.
Absolutely magnificent.
Now I just wondered how long it would take him to notice.
Forty minutes later, the man finally woke up. He stretched, removed his headphones, and stood to visit the restroom without bothering to put his shoes on.
The enormous plastic gemstones sparkled under the cabin lights as he walked down the aisle.
He looked down.
A passenger across from us noticed first.
He looked down, blinked, and burst out laughing.
Then a woman behind him started giggling.
Within seconds, several rows were staring at the man’s feet.
The man frowned.
Even a passing flight attendant pressed her lips together, struggling to maintain a professional expression.
The man frowned.
“What?”
Nobody answered.
Finally, he looked down. His face turned bright red.
I smiled sweetly.
He spun toward me.
“What the hell did you do?!”
I smiled sweetly.
“Oh, you noticed! I thought your feet might enjoy some decoration while they were breathing.”
“You humiliated me!”
Diane nodded.
“I asked you to move your foot three times. You refused.”
Diane nodded.
“And you were incredibly rude about it.”
“I want to speak to whoever’s in charge here!”
The flight attendant approached.
The attendant glanced down.
“Sir, what’s the problem?”
“Look at my feet! This woman did this while I was sleeping!”
The attendant glanced down.
“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, angrily tugging at the rings.
“This might help.”
The purple one came off easily. The pink one wouldn’t budge.
Diane held out a napkin.
“Here. This might help you get a better grip.”
“I don’t need your help!”
He pulled again, nearly losing his balance.
The ring slid free.
Someone behind us snorted.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake!” he snapped.
Finally, the ring slid free.
He shoved it into his pocket and marched toward the restroom, his bright pink toenails still on display.
Diane leaned toward me.
I chuckled.
“I think he’s going to remember you.”
I chuckled.
“Oh, I’m counting on it.”
Because what that man didn’t realize was that I already knew exactly who he was.
And if he thought a pink pedicure was the worst thing that could happen to him this week, he was in for a very unpleasant surprise.
“Mommy!”
By the time I finally got home, I was exhausted.
“Mommy!”
Megan came racing down the hallway and threw herself into my arms.
“Did you miss me?” I asked.
“Yes! Did you bring me something?”
Megan gasped.
I laughed.
“Well, somebody has their priorities straight.”
I pulled the Barbie nail-polish set and the remaining plastic rings from my bag.
Megan gasped.
“Oh my gosh! Mom, they’re beautiful!”
I laughed.
She immediately opened the box, examining the glittering rings before noticing something.
“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 on the couch and explained everything.
“Only his feet.”
By the time I reached the part about the enormous plastic rings, Megan was practically rolling on the floor.
“Mom! You gave a grown man a Barbie makeover?”
“Only his feet.”
“Did he like it?”
“Not particularly.”
“That’s amazing!”
She dissolved into laughter again.
“What color did you use?”
“Almost every shade. His big toe was hot pink, and I gave the others a lovely assortment.”
“Mom! That’s amazing!”
She grabbed the brightest bottle and immediately started painting her own toenails.
“With who?”
“Careful, sweetheart. We have an early morning tomorrow.”
“Why? Do you have to work?”
“I have a very important meeting.”
“With who?”
“Some people I’ve never worked with before.”
“Careful, sweetheart.”
Megan examined her freshly painted toenail.
“Are you nervous, Mom?”
“A little. I’m meeting some people I’ve never worked with before.”
“You’ll be fine. You’re really good at talking to people.”
“That’s sweet of you.”
I burst out laughing.
She held up the pink polish.
“And if anyone’s mean, you know what to do.”
I burst out laughing.
“I don’t think that’s appropriate office behavior.”
“Well, it worked on the airplane!”
“Goodnight.”
I couldn’t argue with that.
After helping her finish her nails, I tucked her into bed and kissed her forehead.
“Goodnight, my little troublemaker.”
“Goodnight, Mommy. Good luck tomorrow!”
I smiled as I switched off the light.
“Good luck tomorrow!”
Tomorrow will be interesting.
The next morning, I chose my favorite navy-blue pantsuit, made myself a strong cup of coffee, and checked my phone.
Three messages were waiting for me, all concerning the important meeting scheduled for ten.
I read through them, answered a couple of questions, and glanced at the clock.
She examined me.
“Mommy, you’re going to be late!”
Megan was sitting at the kitchen table, eating cereal while wearing two enormous plastic rings.
“Actually, sweetheart, I’m right on schedule.”
She examined me thoughtfully.
“Are you going to tell everyone at work about the airplane?”
“I’m right on schedule.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Why?”
“Some stories are better left at thirty thousand feet.”
Megan shook her head.
“I think everybody should know about the Barbie feet.”
“Absolutely not.”
I smiled. “Maybe someday. Now finish your cereal.”
“Can I tell Grandma?”
“Please don’t.”
She grinned, which told me Grandma would probably know everything by lunchtime.
“Thank you.”
After dropping Megan off at school, I drove to the office.
The receptionist greeted me warmly as I entered the building.
“Good morning! Everyone’s gathering upstairs.”
“Perfect. Thank you.”
I checked my watch. Ten minutes early.
I stopped walking.
As I approached the conference room, I heard laughter coming from inside.
Someone was telling a story.
“You should’ve seen this crazy woman! Completely ruined my flight!”
I stopped walking.
Wait a minute.
I moved closer.
I recognized that voice.
I moved closer to the partially open door.
“She actually painted my toenails while I was sleeping!” the man continued indignantly.
A woman laughed.
“You’re kidding!”
“I wish I was! Some people have absolutely no manners!”
A woman laughed.
I pressed my lips together.
Of all the things he could have said.
Another voice asked:
“Well, what did you do to make her so angry?”
“Nothing! Absolutely nothing! She just couldn’t mind her own business!”
I stayed.
I glanced at my watch again.
Five minutes until the meeting.
I could have walked straight in. Instead, I stayed where I was.
Something told me this story was about to get even better.
“Honestly, I should’ve reported her to the police,” the man continued.
“For harassing me!”
I nearly laughed out loud.
A woman inside the conference room asked, “For painting your toenails?”
“For harassing me! I was minding my own business when she started complaining about absolutely nothing.”
“What was she complaining about?” another man asked.
“Something about personal space. Ridiculous, really. The woman wanted everyone to accommodate her.”
He snorted.
He conveniently forgot to mention that his bare foot had been resting on my armrest.
“So why’d she paint your nails?”
He snorted.
“Some women just can’t handle being told no.”
A few people laughed awkwardly.
A few people laughed.
“Well, at least she picked a nice color,” someone joked.
“Very funny,” he snapped. “Do you have any idea how difficult that stuff is to remove?”
That earned him another round of laughter.
I pressed a hand over my mouth. Apparently, Megan’s nail polish was worth every penny.
“I expect my promotion.”
“Anyway, enough about that lunatic,” he continued. “We’ve got more important things to discuss.”
“Like our new regional director?” someone asked.
“Exactly.”
His voice suddenly became much more confident.
“Between us, I expect my promotion will be announced pretty soon.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“That’s optimistic, Bradley,” a woman replied.
“Optimistic? I’ve practically been running this place already.”
“Nobody’s even met the new director yet.”
“Doesn’t matter. I know how to handle people in charge.”
I raised my eyebrows.
Oh, did he?
Bradley laughed.
“First impressions are everything,” Bradley continued. “You walk in, shake hands, show some confidence. That’s how you get ahead.”
“And what if the new director doesn’t like you?” someone teased.
Bradley laughed.
“Please. What’s not to like?”
I almost lost it.
I had several possible answers to that question.
“I guarantee I’ll have this person eating out of my hand before lunch,” he added.
I almost lost it.
Just then, footsteps approached behind me. Sophie, my assistant, appeared carrying a folder.
I almost lost it.
She glanced toward the conference room, then back at me.
“Ready?”
I straightened my jacket and adjusted the folder beneath my arm.
“Oh, absolutely.”
I walked inside.
First impressions really were everything.
Sophie opened the conference-room door.
“Everyone, our new regional director is here.”
I walked inside.
The room went quiet.
His smile vanished.
Bradley was sitting near the head of the table, wearing a confident smile.
Then he saw me. His smile vanished.
For a moment, he looked as though someone had punched him in the stomach.
I smiled pleasantly.
“Good morning. I’m Rebecca. And unless I’m mistaken, we’ve already met.”
He saw me.
Bradley’s mouth fell open.
“You?”
I approached him and extended my hand.
“It’s nice to see you again, Bradley. How are your feet?”
Someone snorted.
“I had no idea.”
Then several people burst out laughing.
Bradley stared at my hand before reluctantly shaking it.
“I had no idea you worked here.”
“And I had no idea you worked here. Small world.”
His face had turned an impressive shade of red.
Bradley swallowed.
I glanced around the table.
“I believe Bradley was just telling you about an interesting flight.”
The laughter stopped. Bradley swallowed.
“Well, I… It wasn’t exactly…”
“Oh, please, don’t stop on my account. I’d love to hear the version where you explain why your bare foot was on my armrest.”
“Your WHAT?”
A man near the window dropped his pen.
“Your WHAT?” someone exclaimed.
Bradley looked around desperately.
“It was a misunderstanding!”
“Really? Because I remember asking you to move it several times.”
Bradley looked around.
“Rebecca, surely we can discuss this privately—”
“Of course. But since you’ve already shared your version with everyone, I thought they might appreciate the missing details.”
A woman across the table started laughing.
“Guilty.”
“Wait. You’re the woman with the nail polish?”
“Guilty.”
“Oh my God!”
Bradley covered his face.
I waited until the laughter subsided before continuing.
I took my seat.
“Bradley, I heard everything you said outside this room. Including how you treat people who apparently aren’t important enough to impress.”
“I didn’t mean—”
“Fortunately, we’re going to have plenty of opportunities to get to know each other.”
I walked to the head of the table and took my seat.
I heard everything you said.
“Now, before we discuss anyone’s promotion, perhaps we should discuss what respecting other people actually means.”
Bradley stared at his notebook.
For once, he had absolutely nothing to say.
After the meeting, Bradley approached me.
“Apology accepted.”
“I’m sorry about the flight,” he muttered.
“Apology accepted. Your promotion will depend on your work and how you treat your colleagues. Nothing else.”
He nodded and turned to leave.
Then his trouser leg shifted, revealing a faint pink stain near his ankle.
“Bradley?”
He stopped.
“You missed a spot.”
“Yes?”
I smiled.
“You missed a spot.”
He looked down in horror.
I laughed.
That evening, I told Megan her Barbie polish had made quite an impression.
“Did he like it this time?” she asked.
I laughed.
“Let’s just say he finally learned to keep his feet to himself.”
