Filming Without You

MACARENA'S HOMETOWN

*** The picture is of San Bartolo, Lima, Peru. Macarena's real hometown. The song picked for this chapter is Gianmarco's "Hoy" a song he wrote while he was living away from Peru and feeling homesick, kind of how I feel after writing this chapter. Enjoy!!! ***

Lima, February 2014

Macarena's POV

I'm driving along the highway that will take us to my parents' beach house, Jamie is sitting next to me and Jim and Samina are riding in the back of the rental car. This is a beautiful ride once you leave behind the chaos and traffic that represents Lima, you ride along the ocean and the view is just breathtaking. The weather in Lima, this time of the year, is just perfect. It's summertime and since Lima is next to a desert, we don't have rain. So this will be the perfect holiday full of sunny days and blue skies.
I admire my ring while my hand is sitting on the wheel, Jamie's hand is resting on my leg and he squeezes my leg gently.

"A penny for your thoughts?"

"I'm just very happy you guys are here"

"This is beautiful Maca!"

Samina's voice was cheerful. It made me smile.

"And this is just the beginning of our trip"

"Are you nervous Jamie boy?"

Jim tapped on Jamie's shoulder.

"For what, dad?"

"Meeting Macarena's parents"

Jamie chuckled.

"I already know them, dad. I met them in Brazil."

"But you and Maca were just friends, besides, now you guys are engaged, it's different. You're taking her dad's baby girl"

Jim chuckled. Like father like son. They share the same sense of humor. Jim's voice was full of laughter.

"Jeez dad! Thanks for encouraging me! But seriously, I'm not concerned about Maca's dad, her mom is the tough one"

"I can't believe you haven't charmed her with your looks!"

"I haven't tried"

Jamie looked at me and wiggled his eyebrows.

"Eeww, I doubt my mom would fall for that one, but you did get your way into her heart after sending the kids Christmas presents"

"My boys! I wish they were here"

"Whose kids?"

Jim's voice was curious this time.

"Macarena's nephews, lovely boys!"

"You're going to be an excellent father, Jamie!"

Samina sounded proud. I was proud myself so I responded.

"That he will be! We're here"

I took the exit which lead us to Asia, the most sophisticated beach town in Lima, it had many designer stores, car dealers, a complete open air mall and many bars, restaurants and discotheques. Jamie, Jim and Samina were looking out the windows, big eyed and surprised to see such a beautiful view. I like this town, it has everything in one place, but it's not where I grew up, we got this beach house as an investment, it is family property, I like it but I haven't spent enough time here to call it a home. Home to me was the beach house my parents used to own in San Bartolo, a beautiful, little beach town closer downtown Lima, there's where my siblings and I grew up, where Santiago taught me how to surf and where Antonia taught me how to ride a bike, I can't help but think of my big, protective siblings every time I'm in Lima. As soon as I parked the car outside my parents' new posh home the door flew open and my mom rushed to give me a hug. I was just climbing off the car so she caught me kind of off guard.