Wishing for her to tell him it was real. It was as perfect as he imagined. But the phone sits silently.The boy continues to wait, systematically destroying all of the objects from their short-lived relationship. He rips up the bus pass from their first meeting.The phone is quiet.He throws the pot of lemon balm she gave him over the edge of the balcony.No phone call.He tosses the black Frisbee and the Swiss Army knife over too.Still the phone stays silent.As he plays their relationship over in his mind like a movie, he wonders: What if his heart's delight doesn't call? Will life be worth living then?

    It's close--just down the street from his school--and it's a twin of where he lives. To get there, his father drives their truck along the Rio Grande and over a bridge, where they're greeted by a giant statue of an eagle. Their outings always include a meal at their favorite restaurant, a visit with Tío Mateo at his jewelry store, a cold treat from the paletero, and a pharmacy pickup. On their final and most important stop, they check in with friends seeking asylum and drop off much-needed supplies.My Two Border Towns by David Bowles, with illustrations by Erika Meza, is the loving story of a father and son's weekend ritual, a demonstration of community care, and a tribute to the fluidity, complexity, and vibrancy of life on the U.S.-Mexico border.