A Mile in My Shoes (Chapter IV)
The following is taken from the short story A Mile in My Shoes. Chapters I-III are also available on Medium.
Chapter IV
“We plan to honeymoon in the United States, in California and others states as well.”
“You must have saved up lots of cash for a trip like that.” A group of men all drenched in sweat from a hot, long morning of work took a short break to scarf down bocadillos.
“Enough. The plane ticket is the most expensive. The other part should be easy. We will sleep in the parks if we must and live on bread, cheese, and wine!” Puma answered seriously but amusingly.
“Ha! Puma the romantic. Sounds like a dream. Do you plan to stay for good? Get a job? They make big money for little work, those gringos.”
“So I hear. But my family and friends are in Peru. This is my home and I am proud of it. I will return.”
“Man, the Puma ain’t never coming back. He makes it to the U.S. we’ll never see him again. Why would he return to Peru when he can live in the richest country in the world? TVs in every room, a car for each person in the family.”
Paco became serious. “There is more to life than money, my friend. There are many things I like about the U.S., but I believe they are spiritually corrupt. They have more than they need or could possibly ever want. As I said, I will return to the country of my birth. That is a promise.”
Stay tuned for Chapter V next week…
