Maribel Was Never Allowed to Rest

The maid that wasn’t allowed to rest worked in that house like she didn’t exist.

Her name was Maribel. She arrived before sunrise, unlocking the door quietly so she wouldn’t

disturb anyone. By the time the family came downstairs, the floors were clean,

the beds were made, and breakfast was already cooking. But Maribel was never allowed to

rest. Not on the couch. Not at the table. Not even for a minute. If she slowed down,

someone noticed. “There’s still work to do,” they said, every time. Maribel nodded and

kept moving. Her legs ached. Her back burned. She learned to ignore her body the way

people ignore background noise. She told herself she needed this job.