Elena Anaya Young Novels & Stories

The smell of vanilla and warm chocolate filled the kitchen the way it used to fill the old apartment. For a few minutes, there was the satisfied noise of people eating. Syrup poured and butter passed and forks on plates. Then Maya said, quietly, to no one in particular, "Miss Elena showed me how to blend the colors for the art project. The purple came out really good." I set down my spatula. "Who is Miss Elena?" Maya looked at Devan. Devan set down his coffee cup. "Elena Vance. My Chief Advocacy Executive at the foundation. She has a background in child psychology."

“It is the only polite thing to do.” The Elders gave her a look of disgust. “You no longer have any rights Elaina Mason.” “As long as I am an American I have all the rights in the world.” Elaina continued on, no longer caring how mad she made them. “And I have the right to a phone call.” “You are trying our patience child.” Elder Zacariah growled stepping towards her cell. Elaina fixed a look of innocence and confusion on her face. “What ever do you mean Elder Zacariah?”

The football house settled back into absolute silence around her. Above the desk, Elena Reyes looked at something off to the left of the frame with that same particular, beautiful quality of attention, the look of someone who was genuinely interested in the world they were looking at. Ariana looked back at the photograph for a long, quiet time. Then she finally got up from the mattress, carefully made the bed, picked up her heavy camera bag, and let herself out into the corridor.

Mafia always protects our children at all costs and I am happy to see my people following that. While Luigi was pacing close to me, Anaya vanished inside the delivery room. He was asked whether he wanted to come with his wife, but he said no since he didn’t want to watch her in pain. Ella’s screams could be heard outside the room, and we prayed for her safety. I’m genuinely scared about this. What if Anaya suffers from this pain?

She was about to suggest le‍avi⁠ng when‌ the gallery owner, a woman named Anya wi‌th sh‌arp eyes an‌d a ki‍nd⁠ smil‍e, approached‍ her. "E⁠lara Vega?" A⁠nya⁠ said, extending a hand. "⁠I'm a great admire‌r of yo‌ur mi‌xe⁠d-media work from‌ a⁠ few year⁠s back. The 'Urban Ech⁠oes⁠' series was s⁠tunning."

"I guess some things never change. Pregnant women and cravings." We sat together for a while, eating and talking lightly. Raya teased me about how I took the biggest slice of strawberry cake without hesitation. I told her she should be grateful I did not ask for the whole thing. Even Anaya joined in the laughter, which felt strange but not unwelcome. After a while, Anaya stood up. "I should go," she said. "Thank you for letting me speak to you, Gwen." "Thank you for coming," I replied. She gave a small nod to Raya before leaving the room.

~ ELENA’S POV ~ I sat on the edge of the bed, my heart racing as doctor Tancredi walked bask to me. The walls of the room felt like they were closing around me, a mix of emotions coursing through my veins. I couldn’t quite place my hand on what to call it. Hope, fear or disbelief? She handed the result to me again with a smile on her face. “It came out as earlier. You’re pregnant Luna,” the doctor confirmed.

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