Why wasn"t Ana Maria crying? She must"ve seen the confusion on my tear-streaked face.
"Jamie," she said gently, "Your father and I were expecting this, so we made a plan."
"What kind of plan could possibly fix this--?" I was going to say "crushing disappointment", but I stopped myself.
Ana Maria walked over to the window and put her arms around me while I sobbed into her shoulder for several minutes. Then my inner voice said, Jamie, it"s time to get a grip. So I did.
, Jamie, it"s time to get a grip. "I"m sorry I slobbered all over your work clothes," I said wanly, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand.
Ana Maria gave me a half-smile as she stroked my hair. "It"s going to be okay, hija, you"ll see."
"What"s your plan, then?" I asked, trying to sound more positive than I felt.
"I a
