Belgian Grand Prix, Spa Francorchamps

873 28 7
                                    

~ AGE 24 ~

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN

I moved again. I packed my bags, and after almost a year of living in a suitcase I left over seas. Once again, I tried to find my happiness in United States. Actually, I believe that it was happiness trying to find it's own way towards me. It was the only right move.

I came to Ann Arbor on 3rd of January, 2006. It was an easy decision, I didn't need to think much about it. It was like when I was about to choose University, it was the only opportunity and I needed to take it. There wasn't much to think about.

Fernando won his first World Championship three races before the end of the 2005 Formula One Season. He finished season in style, winning in China and scoring Constructors title for his team. That was the season I spent on the grid with him, every single race I was there. I was the first person to congratulate him on his victory over his team radio. We fulfilled his dreams. Now, it was my turn.

We went back in Oviedo after Chinese Grand Prix. That was the only place I could think about going back. And it was time to think about future. God, it was hard. I had no idea where to start, and Fernando didn't want me to leave. His favorite idea was to stay with him over his break, to go together to pick up his trophy and to spend every minute of every day together. Then, I should stay with him and the team for the rest of my life. But that wasn't possible. Not for me.

How did I end up here? Well, on that 3rd of January, one incredibly nice girl picked up from the airport and told me her name was Amy. She was kind and sweet, and she showed me the way to my new apartment. There are a lot of amazing things I could say about Ann Arbor, the fifth largest city in the State of Michigan. My absolutely favorite place in the city was that cozy apartment the company gave me to use while I'm there. It was my own sanctuary.

My phone woke me up from my thought, and I recognized the smiling face on the screen. As always, he called me every day.

''Fer.'' I simply said. He could feel my smile.

''Amiga, how's life in your part of the world?'' he asked, as if he didn't knew.

''I'm fine - weekend off. We'll probably go to see the game tomorrow.'' I answered.

''The game? Be more precise.''

''Basketball. Rockets are playing in Minnesota. The game's tomorrow, so we're leaving tonight. I'm going with girls, Amy and Rosalinda.'' I replied.

''Tell me again, how did that crazy girl end up with you again?'' for some reason that was his favorite story.

''You know how she is, she thinks that life in America is better than life in Colombia. And she thinks guys are better looking here, even tough, in her own words - she does like Latin guys like my friend Fernando. Well, we can't live without each other, so my wonderful Colombiana moved in with me. And God knows I love her for that. '' long story short, I replied.

''Wait again, you're going to see Houston Rockets? Isn't that...'' he tried to say, but I cut him off.

''Yes. How's Raquel?''

*** FLASHBACK ***

 ''Are you going to go back home for Christmas?'' Fernando asked me during our winter vacation in Oviedo.

Season was over, he had some days off. He was supposed to go back to Monaco on Prize Giving Gala, pick up his trophy, and then just after New Years go back to Enstone. Formula One never sleeps, drivers have tests, simulations, engineers work days and nights.

Chasing Our Dreams [f.a]Where stories live. Discover now