Stewardess Hears Crying from Lavatory, Finds Kid Who Wasn’t on Passenger List — Story of the Day

On a cross-country flight, flight attendant Leslie, battling a hangover, hears a strange sound from the bathroom, startling her. Inside, she finds a crying boy named Ben, who’s mistakenly boarded the wrong plane. Ben, aiming to deliver his sick grandmother’s medicine, is distraught, fearing her death is his fault. Leslie comforts him, learning he feels neglected by his family, who favor his sporty brothers. Upon landing in Los Angeles, Leslie, unable to find Ben’s family on the passenger list, arranges for him to stay with her. Meanwhile, she receives

distressing news: her son, Joe, is ill with a possible genetic condition. Moved by Ben’s selflessness—he offers his grandmother’s medicine for Joe—Leslie books a flight to reunite Ben with his family in Seattle and heads home to Missoula. There, she finds Joe frail and worsening. Financial strain mounts as her airline denies paid leave. Unexpectedly, Ben’s family arrives, offering a $100,000 crowdfunding check for Joe’s treatment, raised for their late grandmother. Overwhelmed, Leslie accepts, and Joe recovers. Grateful, Leslie secures Ben’s family lifelong flight discounts, forever changed by Ben’s kindness.