Mary’s hands were rough from years of washing clothes by hand and working long days. In her bag she carried a recommendation letter from the pastor of her church, along with little else.
She desperately needed work. Back home she had three grandchildren to help support and a sister whose illness made it impossible for her to work.
When the taxi dropped her off, Mary stood in front of a towering iron gate. Beyond it stretched a huge estate with tall white columns and perfectly trimmed gardens that looked like something from a magazine.
She pressed the doorbell nervously.
A speaker crackled.
“Yes?”
“My name is Mary Alvarez,” she answered softly. “I’m here about the housekeeping job.”
After several seconds, the gate slowly opened.
Inside, everything gleamed. The marble floors reflected the lights above them. The ceilings were so high that Mary’s footsteps echoed.
The head housekeeper, Gloria, greeted her with a cold, evaluating stare.
“Do you have references?”
Mary handed over the pastor’s letter with trembling hands.
Gloria read it quickly, then sighed.
“Come with me.”
The rules were explained quickly and bluntly.