John suddenly disappears to Business Class when Claire, John, and their son Ethan board a flight to see John’s parents. Claire is left to handle the flight by herself with the baby. When they get there, though, John learns a lesson he will never forget from Claire’s husband.
My husband still had a lot to learn from his father-in-law about a week ago, even though he was married and had a son.
I was getting ready for a long-awaited trip with my husband, John, and our active two-year-old son, Ethan. John was very stressed out at work and kept saying how much he needed a break.
I told Claire, “John, I can’t wait to finally relax.” He said this as we packed our bags. “I just need some peace and quiet, you know?”
I smiled, even though I was busy putting away Ethan’s toys.
“Yes, John. Let’s take a break. But Ethan will enjoy spending time with his grandparents and feeling their love for a while.
I had no idea that my husband was planning something very selfish.
At the airport, I was trying to open an apple sauce container for Ethan while also taking care of our child and our bags. John disappeared without a trace.
“What the heck?” I said something to myself and thought that he probably went to the bathroom before we got on the plane.
Later, I saw him at the gate again. He looked incredibly calm.
“Where have you been?” I asked as I held Ethan on my hip.
“Just taking care of something,” he said with a smile. “And I needed to grab a pair of headphones.”
“Did you get me a pair?” I asked him.
“No,” he replied. “I didn’t think you’d need one because you’d have to worry about Ethan.”
I was shocked to hear this. Who was this guy?
That wasn’t all, though.
John gave me our boarding passes as we got on the plane. His looked different from ours.
“John, why do you have a business class ticket?” I asked with a heavy heart.
My husband gave me a casual shrug.
“Right now I can’t deal with you and the kid. I need some quiet time. After this evening, we’ll have to deal with a lot of family.”
During the whole trip, I held back my anger. The thought of John lying down with a glass of champagne while Ethan worried and pulled on my hair was all I could think about.
The woman next to me said, “Try patting him on the back.” “Maybe that will calm him down.”
I smiled at her because I didn’t want to growl because my son had made me so impatient that I barely had any left.
“Thank you,” I said as Ethan swatted the woman’s hair with his sticky hand.
It was one of the longest planes I’ve ever been on, and by the time we got there, I was very angry.
John, of course, had no idea how I felt as we drove to his folks’ house.
“I’m so glad to see you! What was the flight like?” Amy, John’s mom, said, grabbing Ethan from my arms.
I tried to smile.
I told Mrs. Smith, “It was fine.” “Ethan was a bit restless, but we managed.”
Jacob, John’s dad, looked at us very closely.
He asked, “And you, John?” “How was your flight?”
When John smiled, he didn’t notice the stress in the room at all.
“Wow, that was great!” There is something really different about business class. I can see why everyone would choose it if they could.
My husband’s father’s face got a little meaner, but he didn’t say anything.
We were all set to have a family dinner the next day together.
“Whenever family comes over, we always go to a restaurant,” Amy said as she played with Ethan. “Dress warm, Claire, it’s been getting a nippy at night.”
Mr. Smith called John into his study right as we were leaving.
“John, tonight Claire and Ethan will be cared for by your mom and me.” You will stay here, though, and get the house ready for the other guests. In the morning, your brother will be here. “Make the beds,” Jacob said in a strong voice.
My husband was shocked.
John told his dad, “But it’s our family dinner.” “I’ve been looking forward to it.”
“Tonight, you’ll understand what it feels like to be left behind,” he said.
John made a case, but Mr. Smith wouldn’t change his mind. John had to stay behind and clean the house for the rest of his family while we went to dinner.
The house was spotless when we got back, and John was angry but quiet.
Jacob told me, “Oh, but that’s not all,” as I went upstairs to put Ethan to sleep that night.
“What do you mean?” I asked with worry.
He smiled and said, “You’ll see tomorrow,” as he went to his room.
John’s father-in-law gave him a long list of jobs to do while we were eating breakfast the next morning.
“Getting the garage clean?” Really, Dad? And putting up the fence? Cutting the grass?” John was upset. “What are you interested in? Of course, you hire people to do this.”
Mr. Smith’s eyes didn’t move.
“You need to learn how important family and work are.” Because you want to or because there’s an easy way out, you can’t get out of your debts. You have to make up for what you did to Claire and Ethan for the rest of the week.
John was finally shocked when he realized that his business class escape had cost him something.
He took care of the whole place for the rest of the week. Also, every night, his father checked his work to make sure it was correct.
“I’m tired,” he said one night as he fell asleep on the bed. “I really wanted to pick strawberries today with you, Ethan, and my mom.” But I needed to paint the fence.
I almost felt sorry for him. But not enough for them to jump at the bait. I knew that he had plenty of time to think about what he did while he was cleaning and fixing things around the house.
Before we left, the day before, my husband came to me with tears in his eyes.
He said in a quiet voice, “I’m so sorry for everything.” “I understand now how hard it is and how much I took you for granted.”
“It’s not enough to just understand, John. “Being there for every step of the way is important,” I told them as I folded our clothes.
I thought he meant it when he said he would be better.
But it looked like my husband’s dad had one more trick up his sleeve.
It looks like your business class ticket for the return flight has been canceled and switched to an economy seat. But Claire and Ethan are going to fly business class. “This time, John, you can handle things on your own,” he told him.
When my husband understood what his dad’s swap meant, his face dropped. He tried to change his mind, but Mr. Smith was adamant. He said John needed to learn the value of family and humanity for himself.
John told us, “I’m so sorry,” when we got to the airport. “I’m sorry this hurt you so much. I only wanted some peace and quiet. There’s been a lot of work.
“It’s okay,” I told him while holding on to Ethan. “But when we get home, things need to change.” All right, John?”
After a slow nod, he kissed my face before we had to split up and get on the plane.
What would you have done?