I've Become
Chapter 2: Paradise Lost (Section 3)
In this space, I continue to share snippets of my manuscript — I’ve Become. In this post, I’m sharing section three of chapter two, “Paradise Lost” below. If you’d like to get caught up, you can read the first four sections of the manuscript here. The other two sections of chapter two are here and here.
CHAPTER 2: PARADISE LOST
Section 3 LIMA, PERU (2022)
***José Gonzalez 262, District of Miraflores, Lima, Peru***
“What do you mean, you’re buying a house in Italy,” Dante’s father Franco asked in Spanish. Dante and Jennifer had just flown in from Italy after house hunting. “What about your home in Bødo, Norway? Are you going to sell that home? You just bought it”
“Papi, it’s simple. Jennifer has been wanting to live in Italy ever since she studied abroad there as a student. It’s time,” he replied. “Besides, it will give her the opportunity to finally work on her novel — after all the non-fiction she’s written, she’s ready for that. As for Bødo . . . if we ever have children,” Dante says, eyeing Jennifer, “it’ll be there for us, as the climate worsens. We’re never selling it.”
Paloma eyed Jennifer, too, and then smiled warmly. “This one . . . my son . . . this one always seems to get her way.” While she had been quietly sipping her coffee, Dante’s mama Paloma chuckled lightly, and then slyly added, “Tell us what it is about her, son, that makes her do these things to you . . .”
“Mami!” Dante yelped in delight.
His mother belted out a hearty laugh.
“Where are the two of you headed this morning,” his father asked, trying to shift the conversation.
“We’re going to Manolo for some churros con chocolate and coffee.” Danted said, adding, “When is lonche this evening?”
Jennifer was in Lima for the first time, meeting Dante’s family. Although they’d met during the sumptuous weddings they threw in both Wichita and Washington, D.C., the events were both formal and raucous, so she was unable to truly get acquainted with her new familia. Furthermore, Peruvian Spanish was new to her. So, even though she understood most of the Spanish they spoke, she didn’t understand the terminology and colloquial sayings specific to the country and specifically to Limeños themselves.
