What started as a routine day at the airport turned out to be the exact opposite for one traveler!
An Unfortunate Accident
Although nobody wants to get injured, injuries are a part of our daily lives. Sometimes they’re accidents, other times they’re the result of the actions of other people. No matter how they happen, we can all agree on one thing: injuries aren’t fun.
However, it’s important to not let an injury disrupt our daily lives. A Redditor named “Carly” knew the importance of this, and didn’t let her ankle get in the way of her travel plans. Unfortunately, she had no idea of just how much trouble her ankle was going to cause.
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Everybody Loves Truffles
Working in the film industry, Carly was fully aware of all of the possible risks went out on the job. So, she was not really surprised when she injured her ankle while on set. Listening carefully to her doctor’s orders, Carly wore a boot for her injured ankle and opted for a wheelchair the next day at the airport as she waited to catch her flight home.
Carly wasn’t too thrilled about having to use the wheelchair, but at least she wasn’t alone. She had taken her emotional support cat, “Truffles,” on the trip. Nothing is as calming as a cute and cuddly little animal, right? Everyone else seemed to think so, as people in the terminal asked to pet him while she went through the security measures. Carly happily agreed, and couldn’t help but notice one little boy, “Todd,” could not seem to take his eyes off of Truffles. However, he never approached Carly to ask to pet him, so Carly carefully put him back in his carrier.
As it was getting closer to boarding time, Carly and Truffles were wheeled over to the gate to wait for their flight. To pass the time, Carly put in her headphones to listen to a podcast she had been meaning to finish for a while. Just as she was settling down to enjoy it, she felt a tap on her shoulder.
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Karen Wanted A Seat
Startled, Carly looked up to see a middle-aged woman and the little boy who had his sights set on Truffles standing next to her.
Karen: “Excuse me, hi my name is ‘Karen.'”
Carly: “Oh hi Karen, how’s it going?”
Karen: “First I’d appreciate it if you call me ‘Ma’am,’ or ‘Ms. Karen.’ Learn some manners!”
Carly: “Okay, did you need something?… Karen?”
Karen: “I asked you once to just- anyways that’s not important right now. I need you to get up.”
Carly: “May I ask why?”
Karen: “Aside from the fact that an ADULT is asking you for something and you should do it if you must know, my son is tired and needs a place to sit.”
Was Carly hearing things correctly? This woman was seriously expecting her to give up a wheelchair, one that she desperately needed, so her kid could have a seat? Unfortunately, that’s exactly what Karen expected.
Carly: “As I said, I’ll be staying in my chair. Maybe there are some seats in between the gates where you and your son could sit and wait.”
Karen: “But he’s TIRED! It’s too far to find empty seats. There’s only some at the food court.”
Carly: “Please leave me alone. I will stay right here till it is time for me to go inside.”
Karen: “Really? You won’t help a poor child? You’re heartless!”
Completely done with this conversation, Carly put her headphones back on and tried to enjoy her podcast. Out of the corner of her eye, Carly saw Karen grab Todd’s hand and walk away. Carly was finally going to get some peace, but not for very long.
~
Todd Was Determined
Trying to put the bizarre interaction out of her mind, Carly tried to focus on her podcast. As she was finally beginning to relax, she suddenly felt an enormous pain rip through her body.
To her horror, she looked down and saw Todd trying to climb onto her lap. Without even a second thought, Carly sent Todd tumbling to the ground where he proceeded to burst into tears.
As Carly was trying to regain her composure, Carly heard Karen screaming about how she had deliberately attacked Todd, which attracted the attention of a nearby flight attention. Before Carly could get a word in, Karen began reciting a pathetic sob-story about how Carly had been tormenting her and her demon-spawn.
Karen: “I just need this chair. Look, tell her she will be allowed on the plane again if she just gives me this chair.”
Flight Attendant: “Ma’am, she has done nothing wrong! Please leave her alone. She is an injured traveler. The chair is for her.”
Karen – “The chair is for people who need it and right now my son needs it! She’s been rude and has attacked my son! If she won’t give me her chair, I want her removed from the flight. Right now!”
Flight Attendant – “Ma’am, you are harassing other passengers. That is not allowed. Now I will give you one chance to calm down, apologize to this young lady, and hope that she doesn’t wish to press charges.”
Completely shocked she wasn’t getting her way after her horrific behavior, Karen launched into an offensive monologue about Truffles, saying how he was “probably feral, and would attack everyone during the flight.”
While Carly was annoyed with Karen’s behavior before, this sent her over the edge. How dare this woman verbally abuses Truffles, when he was better behaved than her child? No longer playing the “Mrs. Nice” card, Carly dished out the tongue lashing Karen had coming.
“I have asked you multiple times to Leave. Me. Alone. My cat has a ticket, he is allowed to be here and travel with me. And it seems like he’s a lot better trained and well-behaved than your kid! Though I’m not surprised he’s turning out this way when his mother is behaving like a child. Get out of my face before I and press charges,” Carly said, completely enraged.
Face as red as a tomato, Karen grabbed Todd’s hand and left. Carly was hoping this would be the end of things, but little she know it was far from over.
~
Back Up Arrives
Still wary of Karen and Todd’s behavior, Carly made sure to keep them in the corner of her eye. Before she knew it, Todd was running full-speed at Truffles’s carrier, ready to launch another attack. Without even thinking, Carly stuck out her foot and was able to trip Todd, stopping him from reaching Truffles. Unfortunately, this caused Todd to land on her injured foot, sending a wave of unbearable pain up Carly’s leg.
Luckily, the flight attendant saw the whole thing go down and quickly called for security. Meanwhile, Karen pulled the screeching Todd into her arms, and if looks could kill, Carly would have been six feet under.
Karen: “Why would you hurt my child like that?! You witch!”
Carly: “Why would you send your kid to attack me or my cat? This is the second time he’s gotten hurt doing stupid things you told him to do!”
Karen: “I would never!”
Todd: “But mom, you said to sit on the kitty’s box and squish him hard as I can!”
Karen (to her kid) – “Shut up! That is not what I said!”
Still not willing to believe she was in the wrong and apologize, Karen tried to convince the security guards Carly was the one causing all of the issues. The flight attendant who had witnessed all of Karen’s malicious behavior was not going to stand for such lies and was about to rightfully put Karen in her place.
~
Karen Is Put In Her Place
“Ma’am. You and your child will not be allowed to fly with us today. Security will [walk] you out and your bags will be retrieved when possible. Please gather your things and follow these gentlemen,” the flight attendant firmly told Karen.
Looking like a fish out of the water, Karen tried to save herself once more. “What do you mean? She’s the one who’s being rude! You need to kick her off this flight! I’m fine. I haven’t done anything wrong. My son and I will be getting on this plane as he has to be back for summer camp and we can’t afford to find a new flight. So we will be staying.”
It was one of the most beautiful and iconic moments of Carly’s life, as the flight attendant absolutely refused to allow Karen and Todd on the plane. Not one to go down without a fight, Karen continued to argue with the flight attendant, trying to get her to see how Carly was truly the evil one. Her efforts proved to be fruitless, as the flight attendant made it clear there was no way they would be getting on the plane that day.
The security guards removed Karen and Todd from the gate, but not without a few choice words about how there was a special place in the underworld for Carly.
Finally, Carly was able to find peace; Karen and Todd could no longer terrorize her and Truffles, and she was able to enjoy her flight in peace.
To sweeten the pot, Carly was informed a few weeks later Karen and Todd were banned from traveling with that airline, and Carly was even offered a few traveling vouchers.
Carly had no idea her injury would cause more issues than just a broken ankle, but thankfully, justice was rightfully served.
