Chapter 9

The flight prices in April were insane pretty much double what they cost any other month. I held Jaime’s hand tightly as we walked down the narrow hallway after clearing customs. The moment the plane’s wheels touched the runway, a huge wave of nostalgia hit me. I was back in New York. After six long years away, the city already felt different in so many ways. Since Amelia’s wedding was taking place right here, she had told me to head straight to the hotel where the whole group was staying.

Another announcement echoed overhead. We made our way through the crowd and stepped out of the terminal. Amelia had offered to come pick us up, but I told her absolutely not—she was the bride. There was no way I was letting her run around doing favors during her big week.

“Mommy,” Jaime tugged at my sleeve. My eyes were fixed on my phone as I tried to book a cab. Traffic here was crazy, and even getting a ride felt like a fight.

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“I need to use the bathroom,” he said, pressing his lips into a thin line.

“Oh, okay. There should be one nearby. Come on, I’ll take you,” I told him. After asking an airport worker for directions, I walked him over.

“I can go by myself, Mommy,” he insisted. I wasn’t so sure. The terminal was packed with thousands of people—if I looked away for even a second, finding him again would be nearly impossible.

“You sure? I can come with you, it’s no problem,” I smiled, but he was determined. I sighed and watched him head into the men’s restroom.

I turned around, gripping my suitcase handle with one hand while still trying to book the cab with the other.

That’s when an old lady approached me. “Dear, could you tell me where the restroom is?” She wore dark sunglasses and carried a white cane, so I assumed she was blind.

“Oh, yes, of course.” I didn’t know the layout well myself, but I’d just seen it around the corner, right across from the men’s room. “It’s right here. Want me to watch your bag while you go in?” I gently took her hand and pushed the door open for her.

“That would be such a big help,” she said with a grateful smile.

Shoot. For a moment I’d completely forgotten about Jaime. He’d probably be coming out any second, and if he didn’t see me where I’d said I’d wait, he’d start to worry. I quickly texted him to stay right outside the restroom until I got back. A minute later he replied with a simple “yes.” Good. Now I could keep an eye on the luggage while the lady was inside.

Ten minutes passed and she still hadn’t come out. The cab I’d booked was probably already waiting outside. I groaned and reached for my suitcase—only to find the space beside me empty. I looked left and right. My black suitcase was gone. The lady’s bag was still sitting exactly where I’d placed it.

Panic slammed into me like a truck. Where was my suitcase? Who could have— No. “It can’t be,” I whispered as the realization hit. The “blind” lady wasn’t blind at all. She’d played me. I rushed into the restroom and spotted a woman in a floral maxi dress washing her hands. “Excuse me, did you see an older lady with black sunglasses and a cane come out of here?”

“No, sorry. I didn’t see anyone like that.”

I ran straight to the two security guards nearby and told them exactly what happened. They took off looking for her right away. I raked my fingers through my hair, my stomach churning from the airplane food. They made an announcement about the woman, and I prayed they’d catch her. I stayed exactly where the guards told me to wait until they returned with news.

“Here!” someone shouted from a distance. I whipped my head around. A man was chasing someone across the terminal. As I moved closer, I saw it was the same “blind” lady. Turns out she had perfect eyesight and could run like an athlete. The whole area erupted into chaos, with people murmuring and pointing.

Somehow the guards managed to catch her. She hadn’t just taken my suitcase—she’d stolen a few others too. When they asked why she did it, she wouldn’t say a word. What was there to say? She stole because she wanted to.

The guards brought my black suitcase back safely, and a massive wave of relief washed over me. Thank God. Right then my phone started ringing.

“Mommy, where are you?” Jaime’s voice came through the line. Damn it, I’d forgotten about him again.

“I’m coming right now. Stay right there, okay?”

What a perfect way to start the day. After six years away, this was how my first day back in America was going.