Page 164 of Forbidden Fate

“Yes.”

“Payment?”

“Cash.”

She eyes me. One-way tickets purchased in cash with a bruised face and no luggage are a big red flag. I know that.

I also know men get through borders every day looking worse than I do. Emergencies happen. Family members die. Lovers leave. People run to things and from things all the time.

She processes the ticket, prints the boarding pass, and slides it toward me. “Gate information is there. You need to hurry.”

“I will.”

“You’ll still need to clear immigration and security.”

“I know.”

She meets my gaze, her eyes kind. “Good luck.”

The words nearly make me laugh. “Thank you.”

I take the passport and boarding pass and walk away fast enough to move, not fast enough to run.

Not yet.

Security goes quickly, thank God. No one looks twice at my battered face.

Immigration is next. The line is shorter than I expected and still feels endless.

A child in front of me asks his mother for candy. A man behind me coughs every few seconds. Someone’s phone rings.

I stare ahead.

The officer calls me forward.

I hand over the passport.

He opens it.

Looks at me.

Looks at the passport.

Back at me again. “Purpose of travel?”

“Personal. Family emergency.”

“How long will you be in the United States?”

“I’m not sure.”

The officer flips through the passport.

I keep breathing.

In.

Out.