A Row of One’s Own

I surprised myself in an “Oh, my goodness, I didn’t think I was that type of person,” sort of way.  I’m still not sure how I feel about it.

We had boarded. The flight was not full. The exit rows in front of me had only one of the six seats occupied. The flight attendant asked if anyone would like to move to the exit rows. The two people next to me got up and moved to the exit row in front of me. I felt a moment of exultation. A whole row to myself on a cross-country five-hour flight. Oh, Merry Christmas to me. Space, space, I love space!

Two people in the row behind me got up as well. The man headed towards the other empty row of exit row seats. The woman paused, eyeing the recently vacated seats beside me. I looked at her and pointed to the exit row seats, “I think you want to sit there.” Stating it not as a suggestion, but as a directive.

She took my advice and they settled into the exit row. I didn’t realize I was so territorial. But am so enjoying my row of seats all to myself.