Ana of California by Andi Teran Read Free Book Online Page A

her time with them had been brief, they’d been kind, and the mother, Mrs. Ferguson, had always seemed busy redecorating room after room of their home with new pillows and faux flowers. Unlike the catalog feel of the Fergusons’, here it felt to Ana as if she were stepping back in time.
    The wallpaper was covered in faded flowers, intertwining bouquets of dusty pink roses tied with fraying blue ribbons. The wooden floors, which creaked a little even when she was standing still, were covered in woven rugs. Therewas a good-size bed, black iron and simple, with a quilt folded at the edge of the striped bedspread. The bedside table, mint green and chipped in places, was lit by a metal lamp in the shape of a mouse reading a book under a pleated cream-colored shade.
    â€œIt’s a time capsule of cozy,” Ana said, though she thought she said it to herself.
    â€œIndeed.” Abbie chuckled as she placed the plate of cookies on the bedside table in front of the old-fashioned alarm clock. “I put your bag in the corner, hope you don’t mind,” Abbie said, pointing to a blanketed chair near the curtained window. “And you’re welcome to hang your clothes in the armoire over there. We’re somewhat short on closets around here. But this is your space, so please settle in.”
    Ana nodded, not knowing what to say.
    â€œThe bathroom’s small I’m afraid, but it’s yours and right across the hall,” Abbie continued. “My room’s a few doors down at the end, and Emmett sleeps out in the barn. We’re here if you need anything, so don’t hesitate to wake us. I set the alarm clock to four thirty a.m. That should give you enough time to get ready and come down for breakfast. Please don’t be late.”
    â€œI won’t.”
    â€œAs I’m sure you experienced today, Emmett is strict and sometimes lacking in tact, but we both want you to do well here.”
    â€œI understand.”
    â€œOh, I almost forgot! I called Mrs. Saucedo back in L.A. I was supposed to have you call her, but we agreed tomorrow might be better. She’s aware that it’s a tryout, but she wants to speak to you after your shift in the afternoon. She told me to tell you to remember what she said. I thought thatsounded ominous, but she was rather insistent that I deliver the message.”
    Ana remained still, both hands at her sides, her thumbs fidgeting in and out of closed fists.
    â€œYou sure you’re okay?”
    â€œI’ve never slept in a bed this size.”
    â€œIt gets cold at night, so make sure to use the blanket,” Abbie said before making her way to the door. “And get some sleep. You’ll need it.”
    The door shut quietly. Ana stood there for a moment, listening to Abbie make her way down the hall before all fell silent behind another closed door. She unlaced her sneakers, trusty old black Vans pockmarked with holes, and placed them beside the bed. She folded her jacket and draped it on the back of the tapestry chair, topping it with her baseball cap. Afraid to leave the room, even to brush her teeth, she removed her jeans and pulled on the crumpled pair of boxer shorts from the bottom of her backpack.
    As always, she unpinned the square of fabric attached to the front of it, which had been cut from her abuela’s favorite dress, and made her way to the bed. Careful not to crawl under the covers while still wearing unwashed clothes, she peeled back the bedspread, got in over the top sheet, and then pulled the cover over her head, leaving just enough space in which to breathe. The house echoed and moaned. A restless breeze rattled the window. Ana closed her eyes and squeezed the fabric in the palm of her hand, hoping it would continue to keep the shadowsaway.

CHAPTER FIVE
    S he expected roosters, but it was too early even for the birds. Awake for hours, Ana checked the clock at 4:18 and decided to get out of bed. Worried she might