On May 6, 1995, in a delayed-flight airport terminal in Portland, Oregon, Juliette sits alone until she strikes up a conversation with Felicia, a tattooed young woman who is also traveling solo. Juliette admits she feels like she is “running away,” and, in a surprising moment of honesty, tells Felicia she is sick with cancer.

Felicia bluntly challenges Juliette’s choice to go to Paris if she is dying, implying Juliette has given up on treatment. Before Juliette can explain, Julien arrives at the gate and confronts Juliette about the sudden trip, connecting it to the Paris reunion invitation and “the truth” Juliette once hinted she never told him.

Juliette tries to brush off Julien’s concerns and proceed to board alone, but Julien refuses to let her go without him and decides to travel with her. As they move down the jetway, Juliette becomes physically overwhelmed and anxious, and Julien quietly helps by lifting her suitcase into the plane, reminding Juliette that she cannot fall apart in front of her child.

On the plane, Juliette sits in first class, having splurged because she no longer sees a reason to save money. A stewardess rearranges seats so Julien can sit beside her, and Julien presses again for an explanation about the invitation and the hidden past.

Julien takes Juliette’s hand and asks her to “start at the beginning.” Juliette recognizes how much she has shielded Julien from her wartime history and considers making a different choice now that she is heading “home.” She promises she will tell Julien the story of her war and her sister’s—though not the worst parts—but asks to wait, admitting she is exhausted and haunted by thoughts of the end.