By Tom Williams
Those who think the American Dream is not reachable might want to consider a career writing science fiction. The American Dream is definitely alive and within reach for those who want it badly enough.
A perfect example could be Gene and Anna Cortes. In 1962 at the age of 11 years, Cortes, along with his family, fled Communist Cuba for a better life. They settled in New York City.
Early on, Cortes developed a strong passion for cars. Like most boys who grew up in the ’50s and ’60s, that love for cars started with a Revell model kit. His favorite was the ’64½ Mustang Convertible. His dream was to open his own collision business
Anna Cortes left Columbia, South American, and came to New York in 1972, in her words, “Looking for a good husband.” The two met in a New York salsa club. Gene was smitten immediately, but Anna made him earn her attention. Actually, she just wanted to make sure he was serious. It wasn’t long before they were married, in 1975, and together, they started on that road to The American Dream.
Cortes started college at New York Junior College, studying architecture, but it didn’t take long for him to realize that while he…
