Ana of California
Page 30
There was a flashing of headlights. Ana waited as Cole crossed the small parking area. She walked toward him and he toward her.
“You have to go?” she asked.
“We do,” he nodded. “You have to stay?”
“Indeed.”
Ana bit her bottom lip, holding it all in. She had never been pulled in two different directions before, but she knew which way she was going. She nodded her head and swallowed the tears. They held each other for a moment.
“See ya, Cortez,” he said.
“See ya, Brannan.”
She held out her hand and he took it.
“To beautiful endings.”
EPILOGUE
It was the same wooden chair she was used to sitting in. It belonged to her now, or so she liked to think. There were papers on the table, more so than usual. Mrs. Lupe Saucedo sat opposite and adjusted her glasses.
Ana ran her hands along her kneecaps, smoothing down her new dress, adjusting herself to the fit. She remembered the first time she tried it on for Ellery Jonas and Pearl Parnell, who suggested she pair it with the new-old boots she purchased so many months ago.
“When something old fits like it was tailor-made,” they said, “you can’t let it go.”
But she did let the dress go that day, a regret she kept in the back of her memory, never suspecting the fine ladies of Ellery Pearl Salon and Vintage would take it off the rack and hold it for her until the day it was meant to be hers.
“New dress for the occasion?” Lupe asked.
“Is this the first time you’ve seen me in a dress?”
“Yes, but it’s perfect.”
Ana crossed her legs, bobbing the top one up and down as Lupe finished going through the papers. “You ready?” she asked.
“I think so.”
“I’ve been waiting for this day,” she said.
“Me too.”
Lupe handed the papers over along with a pen, indicating where Ana needed to sign. Ana squiggled the pen on page after page until she got to the last one, when she paused for a moment before signing her name in full.
“Welcome home,” Mrs. Lupe Saucedo said, standing up, walking around the kitchen table, and giving Ana a hug. “Let’s go tell them it’s official.”
Lupe and Ana walked out onto the front porch. Emmett let Dolly go, and she ran and barked her usual circles.
“There’s no getting rid of me now,” Ana said, hugging Abbie and Emmett. She made her way around to everyone—Manny and the boys, the Moons, her best friend, Rye.
“Killer dress, I told you you’d like it,” Rye whispered.
“Roar.”
“Roar.”
It was a bright spring day, Hadley’s ever-present clouds ducking in and out of the farm’s redwood trees as the gathered group all sat around the picnic table sharing tea and cake.
“I hate to finalize an adoption and run,” Lupe said, “but I’ve got a plane to catch.”
Ana ran over to her and threw another hug around her neck. “Don’t forget to say hi to the kiddos for me.”
“Don’t forget to call or come visit,” Lupe said. “I want to know how you’re doing. Please tell Abbie thank you for the pickles and marmalade.”
“I will,” Ana said. She walked Lupe to the rental car.
Ana watched as Lupe drove out of Garber Farm, taking the file with the photograph of the girl in the pink puffy coat with her.
• • •
“Is it time?” she asked.
“Let’s do this,” Abbie answered.
They ran upstairs to grab their suitcases. Ana threw hers in the back of the van along with Abbie’s, careful not to disturb the boxes of Garber Farm Artisanal products, which included Abbie’s Brew and Moon Pharm Tea.
“Will you miss us or do you have activities to keep yourself occupied?” Abbie asked Emmett.
“Doll and I will manage just fine,” he said.
Ana hopped into the passenger seat and studied how Abbie shifted the van into gear.
“I promise to let you practice once we’re out on the road,” Abbie said, “but only if you promise not to crash.”
They made their way into town and pulled up to their usual spot outside The Bracken.
“Making progress,” Abbie said, taking in the side wall of the building. “When do you expect to finish?”
“Next month, if I paint every weekend,” Ana said.
“I won’t be a minute.” Abbie jumped out of the van and ran inside.
Ana stayed for a moment to take in her mural. The wild forest scene was nearly complete. She’d already finished the trees and ferns, but she still had a long way to go with the animals. She crossed the street and peered in at the crowd inside the restaurant. She watched as Abbie slipped behind the counter to grab the to-go bag, leaning into the window to shout something to Will, who waved a gloved hand.
“Yo!” Rye said, peeking out the front door. “Are you coming in or what?”
“Aren’t you working?”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I can’t share gravy fries with you at the bar every time I walk by with a tray of something you’ll probably get to watch me drop.”
“We’re on when I get back. Abbie said we have to get on the road.”
“Okay . . . well, have fun and bring back something—or someone,” Rye said with a wink.
• • •
The drive to San Francisco was just under four hours, but Ana and Abbie didn’t mind. In between bites of Will’s sweet potato tots, they held marathon-long singing sessions with Stevie as well as Ana’s addition of the Hex, who were slowly growing on Abbie. It was Abbie and Ana’s first official trip together, and the first time Ana had ever done something fun for spring break.
“As you know, I’ll be running from restaurant to restaurant this afternoon,” Abbie said. “I’ll come back and get you in a couple of hours. Then we’ll go for the best burrito of your life.”
“I’ll believe it when I taste it.”
“Please be careful and wait for me where I told you. Does he live nearby?”
“I told you, they’re in Marin. It’s just coffee.”
“Okay. But don’t go making another break for it.”
Ana stepped out of the van and ran her fingers through her hair. She looked up and down the street before taking a deep breath.
“You look incredible,” Abbie said through the window. “Don’t do anything you’ve already probably done.”
Ana waved good-bye and made her way down Valencia Street. She passed shops and bookstores and stopped at a stenciled painting of Frida Kahlo on the sidewalk.
The coffee shop was a few doors down. Her chest leaped as she picked up the pace.
It was bustling as she walked through the door of the shop. Every table was taken with people chatting, studying, or sipping alone. She scanned the room looking for the right table. She continued along all the way to the back, and just when she thought she might be out of luck, he appeared.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hi,” he answered.
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