I knew that sounded mean, but it was true. Nana said it looked just like hers.

"Let’s get all dolled up in our red coats!" Nana would say. We wore them everywhere together; movies, shopping, her afternoon walks. I even wore it to her funeral. Mom said she could feel Nana smiling down on me that day.

I buried my nose in the coat. I can still smell your perfume, Nana. I tossed it back in the car and slammed the door.

Inside the shelter, I saw my aunt and waved. 

"Guess what, Aunt Cathy. I’m getting a new blue coat!" Mom looked at me funny. I had forgotten about our deal.

"That’s wonderful," Aunt Cathy replied. She stopped and waited for a girl to catch up. "This is Haley. She’ll be staying with us for awhile."

Haley shuffled her feet and stared at the ground.

"Hi." I smiled, but she never looked up. Where are her parents? I wondered. And why does she look so sad?

We soon left the box of clothes with Aunt Cathy and said good-bye.

On the way to the car, I glanced over my shoulder and saw Haley peeking out the window.

"Why is she here?"

"Her parents weren’t able to take care of her," Mom answered. "Aunt Cathy will find a safe place for Haley to live."

"Doesn’t she have any clothes of her own?"

Mom shook her head. "I guess not."

When I got back in the car, I glanced at my red coat. Maybe Haley could borrow it. But if she would be leaving soon, she’d end up taking it with her.

At home, I hung my coat back in my closet. I wondered if there was still a way I could get the new coat. I searched through my closet. I had a lot of clothes, but no more winter coats.

Maybe if I clean my room, Mom will still get it for me.

I started to pick up when I heard the television and something about snow. I pictured Haley standing in the snow without a coat.

What should I do, Nana?

I grabbed a picture off my night-stand. Nana and I had been dancing around in our new red coats.

"That was Aunt Cathy," Mom said. "Haley is leaving tomorrow. They found her a home and she wanted to thank you for all the pretty clothes."

Mom set my dinner on the table. All I could do was stare at it. They weren’t even my best clothes. And she still doesn’t have a coat. I twirled my fork in the noodles and wondered what Nana would do.

 Suddenly, I knew. I ran to my room, grabbed my red coat and dug up a box from the basement. Best of all, Mom agreed to my plan . . . and the new blue coat.

The next day, as we drove into the shelter’s parking lot, a powdery snow drifted down. My heart pounded as I searched the window for Haley’s face. What if I’m too late?

But when I walked through the door, there she was with Aunt Cathy. She had a small bag packed and was wearing one of my old sweaters.

"You’re just in time to say good-bye," Aunt Cathy said.

I handed Haley the box. "It’s kind of a going away present."

Haley pulled the lid off. She put the coat on and ran her hands down the soft wool. I think she loved it more than I did. And when she lifted her head, I noticed that it matched her eyes.

Aunt Cathy whispered, "Isn’t that your new coat?"

I shrugged and said, "I look better in red."

Then Haley dug inside the box and pulled out a hat and a pair of mittens to match her new coat. She put them on and spun around.

"How do I look?" Haley asked.

"You look . . . brand new!" 

I glanced at Mom and knew she felt it too. 

Nana was smiling down. 

~The End~

Illustration by: Nicole Falk

Copyright © 2007 by Laurie McCuddy

Would you like to help those in need?

Linda Manning is the founder of "Mittens & More," which collects brand new coats and winter clothing for Oregon’s foster children. To donate to "Mittens & More," contact, Michelle Mcallister at 1-971-673-1861 with the Oregon Foster Parents Association.