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marking the end of what humans can see. “She is so young.”
    “Far too young to leave her parent’s house,” Blane said.
    Alejandro laughed softly and turned to look at Blane. “You know my mother, my birth mother, probably had me when she was younger than Ana Maria is now. Do you know much about the Mayan culture?” he asked, turning to me.
    “Not much,” I admitted.
    “It is a fascinating history.”
    “Most peoples are,” I said.
    He laughed. “You’re right. I suppose because my blood is Mayan I find it more interesting than others.”
    The maid came to the door and announced that dinner was ready. We followed Alejandro into a large room with cream walls. A modern dark wood dining table with matching chairs was set for three. Alejandro offered me a seat to the left of his. The place setting was beautiful in its simplicity. The glasses - one for water, one for wine - were clear with long stems and no pattern. White soup bowls sat on white plates. The cutlery had soft edges and modern lines. The texture of the placemat and napkin reminded me of a tightly woven basket.
    Soup arrived, green and creamy. “It’s asparagus,” Alejandro told us, as it was ladled into our bowls. When the staff left, the soup tasted and complimented, Blane brought up the girl again. Alejandro lifted his spoon to his mouth and swallowed before answering. “I am afraid I am in an uncomfortable situation here.” He put down his utensil and leaned back in his chair. “As you know, my uncle is my employer, and beyond that I respect him greatly. But, I do not know if I can help him.”
    “Do you know where she is?” Blane asked. Alejandro closed his eyes and laced his fingers together. We waited. The tall, statue-like man came into the room to clear our plates. Alejandro stayed in his meditative state
    “Alejandro?” Blane said. Alejandro’s eyes opened and he looked at Blane but did not answer. “You know you can’t keep her.”
    Alejandro smiled and nodded. “I don’t think anyone can. She has her own mind. I’ve never met a stronger one.” Alejandro sighed. “She is here.”
    “Where?”
    “Ana Maria,” Alejandro said quietly, almost to himself.
    “Yes, where is she?” A blush of red started to creep up Blane’s neck.
    “You will not find her unless she wants to be found. Ana Maria is very much in charge of her own destiny.”
    “She is only a child.”
    Alejandro’s eyes jumped to Blane’s face. “You underestimate her at your own peril.”
    “What are you talking about? She’s a kid.”
    Alejandro pushed back his chair and stood up. He was not tall or big, but there was something set in his face that made him frightening.
    “Don’t,” came a soft voice from the patio. We all turned to look. Ana Maria stood in the doorway wearing a dress that made her look much more like a woman than a girl. Alejandro’s face softened at the sight of her. She crossed the room to his side. Ana Maria was only slightly taller than our host. Alejandro looked up at her. “Mrs. Franks, Mr. Franks,” she nodded at us each in turn. “You look a lot like my father’s friend, Blane,” she said. “And you,” she said turning to me, “I recognize your face.” I felt uncomfortable sitting down while they both stood. Blane rose out of his chair and I followed.
    “Ana Maria,” Blane said, “Your parents are very worried about you.”
    She smiled down at her feet. “I find it hard to believe that it is me they worry about.”
    “Your mother is very upset,” I told her.
    She looked into my eyes and said, “You have been deceived.” It was a creepy thing to say and I felt a chill run through me. Ana Maria turned away, the hem of her long, open-backed dress swished across the glass-fault floor as she crossed to the bar. I watched her shoulder blade shift as she lifted ice cubes out of a silver bucket and dropped them into her glass. Ana Maria’s movements were elegant and I imagined she must have taken ballet. She