Without a word, the second attendant lifted the tray from the cart and disappeared into the galley, without announcement, apology, or explanation. The cart returned lighter, as if the tray had never existed at all. Alyssa watched the space it left behind, aware she was now counting too.
The seatbelt sign chimed softly and flicked on. A second later, it clicked off again. No announcement or explanation followed. A few passengers looked up, confused, some mumbled about holiday delays, and then shrugged it off. Alyssa didn’t. The moment felt like a hesitation, as if the plane itself were reconsidering something important.