1959

Carmen had always been more beautiful. More charming.

For Genea, life in the city and on the Island was one of continual struggle.

The simplest thing, like getting a job, was a hurdle.

Her sister Mara told her, prefaced by "with all due respect," that no one wanted to hire a 49-year-old overweight woman with thinning curls.

Genea's insecurities drove her loneliness. Mara's comments didn't help, either. Genea couldn't avoid them because she had no choice but to live with her snide sister. Like Carmen, Mara's husband died in the War, leaving behind a house paid off by life insurance. Three years earlier, her only son had moved to the States. Having been abandoned twice, Mara was bitter. Seeing as how she didn't charge for rent, Genea tolerated Mara's emotional tirades.

Genea had never wanted a job, so the fact that no one would hire her stung only minimally. She had always wanted to be a wife and mother. Seeing as how her husband had left her and Luto was an asshole, she thought she hadn't done either job right. Genea felt like nothing.

Finally, she landed a job as a seamstress at a clothing store. The hours weren't great, and she made little money. A few weeks later, she began working as a maid for a wealthy family on the coast. Though they gave Genea a chance, she could tell they looked down on her. On occasion, they would make jokes about how American she was, and how she wasn't really Puerto-Rican like them.

Her solace came from Camila and Alondra. They were kind, and the only ones to show Genea respect. In turn, she made sure they stayed on track with school.

~*~

At the supermarket, Genea and Camila waited in line. She signed to Camila, asking how her day was. From behind, a woman tapped Genea's shoulder. She complimented Genea, noting that not many people on the Island knew how to sign. Right there, in the grocery store line, the stranger offered her a job at the elementary school to translate. Floored, Genea accepted. Even Mara couldn't believe that she had found a job as a respectable person.

~*~

Every day, Genea's satisfaction at her job increased. And so did her guilt. She lamented that Carmen had never found a fulfilling job. It took her months to understand that, like Mara, she had shamed her sister just for working all those years ago. She had been unfair, and naïve.

Camila's skill at painting was undeniable. Genea encouraged her niece to paint more, and sell her wares at local fairs. Emboldened, Camila started a painting class for the kindergartners at Genea's school. Even Luto dropped by on occasion to help her move and store the paintings. When Genea asked why, he replied that he genuinely enjoyed seeing Camila's work.

In November, Genea's newfound happiness came to an abrupt end when her heart stopped.