Happy and kind, Anja endeared herself to me quickly. I might have a friend below stairs after all. Though such a friendship could never equal what I had with Pearl, no matter how many steps separated us.
The table talk turned to gossip as it so often did. Anja, new to the area, hung on every word, asking questions. As the others answered her, I heard the latest news, the terrible news of Pearl's dear Consuelo. Her name, her mother's name, was on everyone's tongue, more than their food. As the story unfolded, I understood. It was a tale of heartbreak.
I wanted to rush from the room immediately, rush to Pearl to tell her. Of course, I couldn't. The time would come when I could.
* * *
As our years together grew, I would often sneak downstairs at night when the house slept. Feeling like a
