For You I Will Fly : A New York - Chilean Love Story
What does it truly take for love to endure?Through adversity and the weight of life’s most difficult challenges, an unexpected love story unfolds—one defined not by ease, but by unwavering commitment.Based on true events, this deeply moving and heartfelt narrative captures the essence of what it means to fight for love when everything seems to stand in the way. Across barriers of time, language, distance, and illness, two people discover that the strongest bonds are forged not in perfection, but in perseverance.With honesty and emotional depth, this story reveals the quiet strength required to stay, to believe, and to hold on—especially when letting go would be easier.
PROLOGUE EXCERPT
Written with the author’s soul and profound sensitivity, this book guides us along the path of a love story that shakes the very foundations of the heart. It strikes a chord not merely through its harrowing authenticity, but through the characters' composure, their joy amidst adversity, and an unwavering bond—forged by an implicit pact of love—that grows stronger in the face of life's trials.Set against this is a constant backdrop: a sort of mystical ritual performed by the Central Park dance skaters. They seem to channel mysterious, invisible energies toward the protagonists with a sense of pure, playful innocence—an act that goes unnoticed by the world around them yet undoubtedly transcends it.
CHAPTER EXCERPT
Paola slowly pulls her mind back to the present. She turns to Patrick, smiling a faint smile. He is standing close by, taking in the spectacular view. The sky has exploded into multiple shades of orange, varying in intensity of shading with every passing moment. They watch the sun set as the night sky creeps up behind them, slowly making its way to the horizon. The last light of the sun disappears, and the velvet night takes full command of the sky. A slow romantic song comes on, so they take each other’s hand and return to dancing.The shimmering lights of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso flicker like glitter against the backdrop of the night sky. Patrick and Paola sway together gently, their bodies moving in sync with the rhythm of the music, their hearts trying to convey a message their lips cannot express.They look deeply into each other’s eyes, trying to express how they are feeling. Paola tries to express how scared and anxious she is about starting treatment again. Patrick leans in slightly, his gaze steady and understanding. He sees the fear in her eyes and feels the weight of it in his own heart. Tears begin to glisten in his eyes, but he manages a tender smile, one that radiates warmth and compassion. With every ounce of empathy, he reaches out to comfort her, creating a moment of connection that feels like a haven amid her turmoil. Paola feels his love, his understanding radiating through his intense and beautiful blue eyes. She returns a loving smile, a subtle nod of gratitude, as tears fill her eyes.Paola gently lifts her hand to his face, caressing it softly. Her eyes search his, and with that simple, loving gesture, she silently communicates everything she is feeling—her gratitude, her fear, and her anxiety.“Gracias, mi amor,” she whispers. "Tú eres the maximum. Tú eres mi ángel."Patrick nods, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. His lips curve into a faint smile, one that holds both empathy and strength. Never one for too much sentimentality, without warning, Paola pulls away from Patrick’s embrace and rushes to the balcony wall, her eyes scanning the pool below. She points down at the empty pool area, clearly excited by the idea of a night swim.“¡Mira, mira! It is empty. C’mon! Nadar. Swim. Now!”Patrick chuckles, shaking his head, his face amused but wary. He walks to the balcony, glancing at the pool below.“No, no. Cold. Frío. Muy Frío.”Paola turns to him, her face lighting up with a naughty grin.“¡Sí! Si! C’mon, Patrick. Esta noche es perfecta… ¿por qué no?”With a glint of mischief in her eyes, Paola gives him one last playful glance before darting back inside. Patrick watches her, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He laughs as he shakes his head.“You are crazy...a poco loco.”But his laughter fills the balcony as he follows her inside. Even though he protests, he cannot resist. There is a wildness in her spirit that draws him in.The cool night air wraps around them as they step outside. The lights of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso provide the backdrop against the dark of the night. Above, the sky is a blanket of stars. Patrick and Paola quickly rush to the deck chairs and lay their towels down. Paola does not hesitate; she walks purposefully toward the water and, with a playful glance back at Patrick, dips her toes into the pool. The coolness of the water makes her pause, but only for a moment. She laughs and, without a second thought, she begins to walk further in, the water rising to her waist.The melody of a song starts playing in her mind, a tune she has always loved. Slowly, she begins to hum it under her breath, then louder as she dances around the shallow end of the pool. Her body moves fluidly, her arms sweeping through the air in perfect rhythm with the melody in her mind.Meanwhile, Patrick, who has been watching her, stands at the edge of the pool. He cautiously steps into the water, grimacing at the cold.Paola, seeing him slowly inch into the water, calls out to him with enthusiasm. She points to her head, laughing.“Tú. Tú. Dance. Baila una canción, song, en tu cabeza. Es divertido. It is fun.”Patrick nods his head, a chuckle escaping him as he wades deeper into the water.“Ok. Ok.”The water splashes around them as they both sway and move, each in their own world but together in the moment. Patrick watches her with a soft smile, her humming filling the night air.As they twirl and sway, the shimmering moonlight reflecting off the pool, the space between them begins to dissolve. Patrick's hand reaches for Paola’s, then his other hand, their fingers interlocking above their heads. Together, they move back and forth in perfect harmony, as the melody of her humming fills the air.Then, without warning, Paola jumps up and wraps her legs around Patrick’s waist, leaning her head onto his shoulder, continuing to hum her song in his ear. The sudden weight shifts Patrick’s balance, and for a moment, he is caught off guard. But his experience from skating kicks in instinctively.As he falls back under Paola’s weight, he moves one foot back to keep his balance, shifting into a rhythmic dance to the song humming in his ear. At that moment, he realizes he has found another way to express his feelings to Paola. As he holds the weight of Paola, he sways back and forth to the point of almost falling at times, while always maintaining control. It is a quiet promise to her, a promise that, no matter how many ups and downs in the coming months, he will never let her fall. As they sway back and forth in this unique embrace, Paola lifts her head off Patrick’s shoulders and looks deeply into his eyes. She whispers softly.“Thank you!”Patrick smiles, looks deep into her eyes, nodding his head in return. She kisses him with all the passion and love she has inside her, pulling him tightly into her embrace. Then, suddenly, she breaks free and starts to dance in the pool again, singing the song in her head aloud.For a moment, Patrick just stands there, watching her with eyes closed humming to herself. A deep smile spreads across his face as he takes in her joy and courage, expressed through dance and song. But the temperature of the night air starts to bite at his exposed skin. He realizes how cold it has become.“It is very cold ahora,” he shouts over to her. “Muy frío.”Paola, still lost in her dance, calls back to him without opening her eyes.“Sí. ¡Yo sé! I know!”As Paola takes one last look at the breathtaking view—she finally breaks from her dance and follows Patrick out of the pool. As they step onto the poolside deck, the sharp contrast between the warmth of their bodies and the cold night air hits them both. They rush for their towels, wrapping themselves up quickly, and then hurry toward the hotel door.
About
Anthony Donoghue, originally from Ireland, has lived in New York for 26 years. He has been a professor at Columbia University for over 17 years, having also taught at Yale, Berkeley, and NYU. His focus is on teaching statistical reasoning, the philosophy of statistics, to liberal arts students in a language they can understand. He has published three editions of his book titled “Statistical Thinking through Media Examples” written with a general audience in mind.His second book and first novel is titled “For You I Will Fly.” It is a contemporary love story based on real-life experiences he and his wife Vivian went through to build a life together. They live happily on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Amazon Reviews
Steve - United Kingdom - Positively life affirming
A frank account of a romance across continents. Written in a style that is distinctive, authentic and relentlessly life affirming, the authors enthusiasm and positivity is infectious. I challenge anyone to read this book and not feel better about the world and its inhabitants.Elizabeth - United States - For you I will fly! A love story for all!
From the moment I read the first page I knew I would not be able to put this book down! The journey of two people that fell in love in spite of near impossible odds kept me reading until the wee hours of the evening. I felt the pain, the joy and the celebration of these two wonderful people as they journeyed through life! A must read for all to celebrate love and joy!Susan - United States - Delightful and heartwarming book
This beautiful and poignant story captures the magic, romance, and challenges of a long distance relationship. Set in NYC and Chile, the descriptions and language transports you to each place completely. I loved this story about love and resilience.Sal - United States - real nyc love story!!
A captivating soulmate-finding love story, where two individuals, thousands of miles apart, find each other! This story can definitely become a great flick!!Victor - United States - A love letter to love & NYC…
This book was so enjoyable to read, as a love letter to NYC, and to the undying spirit of love itself! As I began to read it, you fall into the rhythm of the way the story is written. From internal monologues to flashbacks of times and places specific & special to the characters, it allows the reader to easily envision every moment spoken of. I’m not a very sentimental person, and I got emotional at how much this story shows that love truly can conquer all. I will treasure two specific passages from this book. The first one is: “To have loved and know you were loved. Nothing else matters in the end. Nothing.” And the second is: “Love, in all its forms, is what binds us together, what makes us, and what keeps us human.” As I finished the book, I felt satisfied that this writer was able to get me to actually feel the highs and lows of the characters without being overly dramatic. It felt like this was a story being relayed to you by the author in as authentic and conversational a manner as possible and the story of love beating all odds is one that everyone needs to read!!Michael - United States - A story worth reading
An excellent and well written story with many real and interesting characters who punctuate the story adding a great depth to it. The older I get the more I have come to believe the world is a small place and that chance does not play as big a role as many think. Destiny and design have a more real and vibrant role in our world, bringing people together for reasons we can only glimpse. It’s great to read a story about love, resilience and hope. Very much worth reading.Evan - United States - The resilience, and the enduring power of love.
Through thick and thin, and in the face of adversity, this unlikely love perseveres. It’s impossible to look at this true story without admiration and respect.A charming and heartfelt love story that reminds us what it truly takes to remain together when life presents difficult circumstances. At its heart, it is about what matters most in life—love. The desire to be together despite every obstacle.Through the struggles of language, culture, and distance, their bond grows stronger. No matter what stands in their way, love prevails.A classic, timeless story—one that would make a compelling and beautiful film, touching on many aspects of life, resilience, and the enduring power of love.
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