The Delay
She looked over at her wrist to look at the time again and again. She didn't know why the flight had been delayed but she had a funny feeling about it. The entire plane was quiet and no one would dare to utter even a word.
There was something wrong, Tracy could tell that much. But as she was about to lift herself from her seat she saw the figures of authority boarding the plane.
Waiting and Waiting
Tracy was one of a hundred passengers impatient waiting to get onto the plane. She wasn't a first time flyer but admittedly she could never shake the nervous feeling when she boarded a plane.
Tracy felt a familiar friend - anxiety started taking her over as she sat in her seat and waited for the plane to take off. But after forty minutes in anticipation, it still hadn't lifted off the ground. Something was going on but what was it?
She Couldn’t Ignore The Feeling
Tracy felt that something wasn't right about the flight. Normally when a plane got delayed they let her know and it was an obvious reason - like bad weather. But it was sunny today.
Tracy couldn't see a single flight attendant. She then heard the passengers behind her start to mutter under their breath. What was going on?
Almost One Hour of Waiting
Tracy started to get impatient after 40 minutes and decided to get up. Then she noticed where the cabin crew were, on the other side of the plane huddled together.
They were all gathered in the same spot. It looked like they were dealing with a situation, but what was it? Tracy's anxiety started up again, she needed to find out what was going on.
Trapped Inside
Tracy knew it was too late to leave the plane now that the door was closed. Some other passengers even attempted to leave but realized with a shut door they couldn't do anything. No one was getting off.
Tracy needed to know what was going on, her mind spiralled thinking of the worst possible scenarios. Were they getting hijacked?
One Hour Had Passed
After one hour of sitting on the plane, most passengers began shouting, crying, and asking for help. There were no announcements from the crew either, which made it even more suspicious.
The plane was in total chaos. By that point, everyone was panicking, even the people who didn’t seem to care in the beginning.
The Cabin Crew Were Scared
Tracy glanced at the cabin crew, who were still hiding in the corner. They looked horrified. It was clear they knew something no one else did. Then, suddenly, four security guards rushed past them.
Tracy had a clear view of what was going on. The guards approached one of the passengers and gathered around him.
Something Wasn’t Right
The security guards stood in front of him for a few minutes without moving. Who was that passenger? Why were the guards on the plane?
Tracy imagined the worst-case scenario and started praying. She hoped it was all just a big misunderstanding, but things were about to get even worse.
In Trouble
It took a while but eventually, security guards started moving. Tracy watched and noted who they were walking up to. The stranger had a nervous look in his eyes but didn't say anything.
Tracy couldn't sit around for much longer. She was curious and needed the answers that she was looking for, and she wouldn't wait around for them.
An Announcement from the Pilot
Then she heard the pilot make an announcement she could have never expected. The way he sounded confirmed that it wasn't good news.
“Everybody, please remain calm. We believe we have the threat under control. Please remain in your seats.” he tried to calmly say over the intercom. Tracy's eyes grew wide, what was going on? Were they gonna be okay?
Searching for Answers
She needed answers so she slowly crept out of her seat to get closer to the plane security. But what she saw would twist her stomach in a knot and have her stammering for words.
The old man that the security had approached stood frozen in his tracks. He had a wide-eyed expression on his face. Tracy decided that she had to take pictures of what was going on, just in case evidence was ever needed.
The Situation Was Getting More Intense
The security was now all around him and asked him to put his hands up way above his head. The man didn't seem like he wanted to comply, Tracy was taking a photo unbeknownst to them.
Then the whole event got even more difficult when the man simply shook his head at the figures of authority and wouldn't comply to any of their requests. He seemed a little confused and maybe even a little scared.
The Pilot Got Involved
Suddenly, Tracy saw the pilot walking down the aisle. He turned and abruptly told the guards they needed to immediately escort the man off the plane and take him into custody.
It was clear the man required medical assistance. Something was very wrong with him. Tracy decided to take the matter into her own hands and asked the guards to step aside.
They Let Her Talk To Him
The security guards moved, and Tracy was able to get closer to the man. She told him she was there to help, but he didn’t understand her.
Tracy began using her fingers while speaking to him, and the horrified look on his face was replaced with relief. The man was deaf. That's why he couldn’t follow the instructions.
She Helped Him
Tracy asked the man for his identity document using American Sign Language, and he gave it to her without any hesitation. The stranger she was talking to was Joseph Zeledon.
When she asked him if he could give her a phone number of a family member or a friend, he just stared at her. Then, she finally realized what was going on.
He Was Deaf
Tracy noticed a medical alert bracelet on his wrist. She gently took his hand to get a closer look at it. It had the word “Dementia” on it.
She quickly inspected the bracelet for a phone number she could dial, and there it was. She called it immediately and hoped someone would answer.
It Was Jason
“Hello?” Tracy heard on the phone. It was Joseph’s son, Jason. She quickly explained everything, and Jason assured Tracy he would arrive at the airport as soon as possible.
Jason was worried sick. He knew his father had dementia, but he had never wandered off on his own before, and now he was about to board a flight. Where was he going?
On The Way
Jason couldn’t stop thinking about his poor father sitting alone on the plane. How did he let this happen? But, most importantly, how did he end up so far away from home?
He always tried his best to make sure his father was comfortable and safe, but this time he failed.
He Arrived After One Hour
Jason made it to the airport after one hour and hoped it wasn’t too late. After seeing Tracy and his father standing in the lobby, he was instantly relieved.
They were surrounded by other passengers who also missed their flight to help his father. Jason’s heart was filled with gratitude.
He Was Thankful
Seeing strangers comforting and helping his father melted Jason’s heart. There are still good people in this world. He thanked each and every one of them for helping his father.
Joseph had wandered off on his own and almost ended up at another state. How he managed to board a flight still remains a mystery.