“Where do you live?” I offer the truth, however boring and confirm my citizenship without any supporting documentation. “Where are you going?” “La Patrie.” Her facial expression begged the question, Why? But she did not ask. Whatever profile they seek out for a further round of questioning, I did not fit it. At this crossing, I never do; it is why I go out of the way to enter Québec here. I volunteered some more information. “I’ll be there a few days. It’s where I go to forget, to get lost.” Her grin confirmed that my destination did not pack the punch of Montréal or Québec City. “Are you leaving anything behind when you come back?” I was disappointed by the question and also had no idea just how much I would be leaving in Canada.
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