“Hand me your passport. We’re almost at the window.” I pull out my passport from my purse.
“Whoa. Why does yours look different?”
“I have dual citizenship. This is my Canadian passport.”
“Oh. I never knew that. Why haven’t you ever told me?”
I turn to her. “Are you serious, right now?”
She shrugs her shoulders. “You think you know a person.”
“You knew I grew up in Niagara Falls, Canada. What are you talking about?”
Frankie turns to look out the window. “You never mentioned it to me. When we met, I only knew you were new to Cedar Brook Falls. I thought you came from New York.”
“Really?”
She turns back to me. “Really.”
“Oh.” I hadn’t expected that. Charlotte, Jane, and I had always been inseparable. I became friends with Frankie later. How is it possible that I never told her this?
“So, it’s a coincidence that you chose Niagara Falls then?”
“Completely.”
I blow out a breath and drop my shoulders. “I’m sorry, Frankie. I’ve not been myself this entire time. It’s been tough going back without my parents. All the memories I have of this place are with them.”
“Shit. Now, I feel bad. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have suggested it.”
“It’s okay. I think I secretly want to go back but never had the guts to come by myself. So, I’m glad you’re here.”
Frankie reaches over and squeezes my hand. “We can create new memories if you’d like.”
Tears well in my eyes. I’m still so emotional about this, but I nod because I’d really like that. “That would be great.”
The booth arm rises and we’re next to speak with the border security officer.
He’s wearing a navy-blue uniform and appears to be in his mid-thirties. Clean shaven, dark hair, olive skin. His white teeth are clean and straight. Frankie instantly perks up and fixes her boobs.
“Hello there, Officer,” she says. Although the words are innocent enough, her tone makes her intentions quite clear and I roll my eyes.
“Welcome to Canada, and welcome home, Miss,” he says with a straight face, but a smile pulls at the side of his lips. “What are your plans while you’re here?”
“Shopping. Some snacks. Maybe check out the Ferris Wheel. Oh, and of course, the men. But not necessarily in that order.” Frankie winks for good measure and this time he loses his battle and the smile takes over his face.
“We’re not the type to beat around the bush, if you haven’t noticed, Officer.”
He looks up from his computer and winks.
“Well, I hope you’re successful, then.”
She blows a fresh bubble with her gum and raises her eyebrow at the same time. “I always am, darling.”
This time he doesn’t hold back his chuckle when he returns our passports. “I’m sure you are. Have fun, ladies.”
“We will,” says Frankie and I can’t help but laugh, too.
“You are incorrigible,” I say. “You know what I love most about you, Frankie?”
