Unexpected Guests

ESMERALDA

Almost every night, the sounds of the lovemaking from upstairs kept me up late, and would ignite a heat inside me that had no release. For the first time I could remember, I found myself desiring a man, and yet for the first time in my life, there was none available to me. Always before it was the opposite, where I would receive men despite having no desire for them.

Slowly I got used to doing my chores. I didn't get much faster at them, but I had fewer accidents, and after a while didn't suffer as much from exhaustion and pain. Vivian seemed to notice, and would often give me words of encouragement.

It was midmorning when Vivian tossed the piece of clothing she had just picked up back into the basket in disgust.

"That's it. I've had enough of just working every day. I need a break. Let's go to the library."