Still holding the baby – Matthew – I used my radio to call for security. Within minutes, a team of officers boarded the plane. Their expressions were serious.
One of them, a tall woman with sharp blue eyes, stepped forward. She asked, “Miss, could you please tell us exactly what transpired?” I took a deep breath and replied, “I was conducting my final check when I heard him crying. He was here all alone, with this note beside him.” I handed the note to her.
The officer read the note, and her lips pressed into a thin line. “There’s no sign of the mother?” I shook my head and said, “None. And I didn’t notice anyone suspicious during the flight.”
She nodded and turned to one of her colleagues. She said, “Check the passenger manifest and the security footage. We need to identify who was seated in 3A.”
I looked down at Matthew. His tiny fingers were curled around my uniform, and his warm breath tickled my skin. I already felt a strong sense of protectiveness towards him.
“I want to help,” I blurted out suddenly. “Please let me know what I can do.” The officer studied me for a moment and said, “For now, we need to follow the established protocol. He will be taken to child services while we search for his mother. But I will keep you informed.”
My heart sank as they gently took Matthew from my arms. His soft whimpers made my chest ache, and for a moment, I had a strong urge to take him back.
Days passed, and I couldn’t stop thinking about Matthew. Every time I closed my eyes, his little face appeared in my mind, and I could hear his desperate cries. I called the officer – Detective Reynolds – every day to get updates on the situation.
Finally, on the fifth day, she had some news to share. She said over the phone, “We’ve located the woman who was sitting in 3A. However, the situation is a bit more complex than we initially thought.” I gripped the phone tightly and asked, “What do you mean?” She replied, “She used a false name and ID. The security footage shows her boarding the plane alone with the baby. But when she disembarked,she was without him. We’re still trying to figure out her real identity and why she did this. As for Matthew, he’s currently in the care of child services, but they’re struggling to find a suitable foster home for him right away.”
I felt a lump form in my throat. “Is there anything I can do? I can’t stop thinking about him. I want to help him.”
Detective Reynolds was silent for a moment. “Well, you could consider becoming a foster parent for Matthew in the short – term. Given your connection to him and the fact that you’re in a stable living situation, you might be a good candidate. But it would require going through a series of background checks and paperwork.”
