“I didn’t expect you to show your face here again,” Maria said from a corner in the parlor. I jumped, noticing her for the first time.

“I came to get my things,” I said, making my way to my bedroom.

“Your things? You’ve been away so much we assumed you moved in with your pirate.” She stood from her chair and walked closer, her black eyes boring into me, her icy hatred freezing me down to my bones.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Only that I gave your things away two days ago. There is nothing left for you here.”

“You did what?” I asked.

“I said I gave away all of your things. Well, actually, that’s a lie. I sold them.” She shrugged. “I figured your pirate preferred his puta in better clothing, and Lord knows we could use extra money since you don’t bring home any of your whore earnings.” She set down her sewing and glared at me, a small smile spreading across her face.

“Earnings?”

“Well, yes. Everyone says that you are a well-cared-for woman now that you are the whore of Senhor Garibaldi. Some even say he passes you around in order to raise money for the cause.” She took a step closer to me. “Our mother is sick with embarrassment. Papai would be ashamed if he could see you now.”

I clenched my fists. “How can you say such things?”

“How can I? How could you? You have made a fool of this family. You are a married woman, Anna, and you’ve taken up with a pirate! Mother can never show her face in town again!”

“Don’t forget that it was my husband who left me.” I pointed a finger at her. “He’s gone! He’s never coming back. I have a right to my own life.”

“Are those the lies your Garibaldi told you to get you into his bed?”

I shook my head in disbelief. “José has not lied to me. I chose his bed. I chose to be with him. We don’t lie to each other.”

Maria laughed. “Give it time, sister. He’ll be lying to you soon enough. If you were a good wife you would have followed your husband.” I opened my mouth to protest, but Maria raised her hand, silencing me. “You made a vow before God. A sacred vow that you have broken. You are a disgrace.”

“What about Fernando’s vow?” I hissed. Maria looked stung when I brought up her ex-husband. “I’m sure he’s not thinking about his vows now that he has taken up with a new woman. You know, the younger, prettier one. Tell me, how many children does he have?”

Maria’s face turned scarlet. I opened my mouth to speak again but stopped when we heard the slamming of a door. In unison, we turned to our mother, whose red-rimmed eyes stood out against her ashen face. She walked up to me in silence. I raised my chin as she regarded me. In one smooth motion, she reached up and slapped me across the face.