Flight attendant Priya leaned over the seat and lifted a coiled green rubber snake by its tail. The woman recoiled so hard she knocked her elbow against the overhead bin, shouting that I had tried to attack her. Around us, passengers were already murmuring. Several had watched her slam her seat back, snap at me, and sigh at every movement I made.

My voice shook as I told Priya it was a squeaky toy my late husband had bought for our old dog. I had packed it to feel close to him. Then a hard cramp wrapped around my belly, and warm water soaked my leggings. I gripped the seatback and whispered, “Something is happening.” Priya grabbed the intercom. “We need a medical professional immediately,” she announced. And the woman who had just screamed at me stopped mid-sentence and stared.