caitiff

I missed Maria. I remember the day when Mama fired her. Maria was our housekeeper for two years. Some of Mama's jewelry had gone missing. She threw a fit because these were heirlooms her third husband gave her before they divorced. She always loved too many men. She always loved her jewelry.

I hoped Mama would be angry. I wanted her to ask me to look for them with her--or take me out shopping with her so we could buy another fancy necklace or ring. Instead she pushed me away asking her new boyfriend to help her. He was a nice man. He tried to win me over with elegant trinkets, more so than her other ones.

As Mama scuffled frantically in search, Maria took me for gelato in the park. She always sang to me as we walked, telling me I was a good daughter, how smart I am, how beautiful I look. We'd lick our spoons, mine silver, hers plastic, and she'd hold me as if I were hers.

Mama fired her later that evening, accusing Maria of stealing her pearls. I cried when she left. I yelled at Mama. I think Mama felt threatened by Maria, even though Mama didn't care for me. I was still her property.

I never gave Mama back her pearls. I kept them when Maria left. I was angry, so I sold them later to someone on the street. I took the money and bought a gelato in the park, and mailed the rest to Maria.