Mariana was proud of herself. She worked six days a week cleaning a mansion for the richest family in town. She was very fortunate that this fame and fortune didn’t come with the usual restrictions. She was allowed to bring Angelica every day.

Angelica loved to scrub the counters and sinks. She held the dustpan still and vacuumed the bottom three stairs on every flight. She also made the beds and fluffed pillows. She thought coming here everyday was a treat. Mariana knew it was safe.

“Maria!” called out the lady of the house. She would never get her name right. “Come here!” Mariana hurried her slippered feet to the kitchen.

“I have been planning a little party here for weeks, and my caterer just quit! Can you read? I have the recipes here. Can you cook? I mean American food. Here just look at these.” She handed Mariana books open to extravagant recipes with staged pictures of fish and wine and other foods. “I’ll pay you extra.”

Mariana nodded. “You’re the best!” She squeezed her maid’s shoulders and left.