Ana's Story page 79-110

About a week after Ana had her first communion, a policeman knocked on the door at her house. Her grandmother answered the door and he told her the Priest had contacted them because of what Ana wrote in her letter. While at first abuela was angered, she finally gave up and told him just take the girls if they didn't want to be there. Isabel and Ana gathered all their things and went to their Aunt Sonia's house. She was their only relative left alive who could possibly take care of them. The house was very small and had to be shared with eleven other family members. Ana was enrolled in 7th grade at a nearby school and made a best friend, Yolanda. Ana went over to Yolanda's house many days after school. She felt welcomed and happy there because Yolanda's mom showed her love and affection, unlike anyone at her Aunt's house.

Things started to get worse at her Aunt's. Whenever Ana arrived home a few minutes late or did something wrong, her aunt started to beat her and ridicule her. She was placed in the corner while the rest of her family laughed at and mocked her. She felt so ashamed and worthless. She was even more embarrassed when they would hit her or kick her in public in front of other people. She started to get used to the pain. One of Ana's favorite teachers at school kept her after class one day to talk. He told her that he noticed several bruises on her arms and legs and wanted to know if everything at home was okay. She finally opened up and told him of the abuse that she had to put up with. He promised he would do the best he could to help her.

Senor Garcia, Ana's teacher, gave her the courage to try to change her situation. As soon as she left school she went to Yolanda's house and asked her mom if she could stay with them for a while. She gladly welcomed her. The only problem was Isabel, Ana's sister. She did not want to leave her alone but she knew this was the right choice and the first step in getting them both away from the abusive house. Senor Garcia told Yolanda's mother he would help in filing the papers if they were considering adopting Ana. They had to go to court first though and talk to a judge. When Ana got there, the judge told her this could not happen because her family members would have to agree on the decision. She knew her aunt and grandmother would not be happy with it. The only choice was to send Ana to a Reform Center. Very unhappy and confused as to why she was going, Ana went to live there. It was basically a jail. They had uniforms, pulled weeds, ate terrible food, and slept in beds like rocks. Ana felt alone and lost there but tried to pretend that everything was okay. Inside she knew though that everything was certainly not okay and wished more and more everyday that her mom and dad were alive.