How dare he steal my coin,
leaving me no choice!
He must be punished at the sugar mill
that’s it,
I’ll send him away for a few days
or weeks
or maybe even a few months
what choice do I have?
Who wouldn’t do the same?
I’ll have him dressed in burlap clothes
they’ll tie him to a mule
and if,
no, not if, but when—
when he tries to escape:
Hah! Just watch
how easily they’ll catch him
and tie him again.
Just watch,
not even my pitifully merciful,
foolishly helpful son Nicolás
will be able to help him this time!
Just watch,
even my sickly husband, the Marquis,
who rarely speaks to anyone
and is practically invisible in this house,
even he will try to help that boy,
claiming Juanito the slave
is the only one who treats him kindly
giving him more attention
than the Marquis gives me
running all those errands to help the Marquis
bringing him medicines
trying to help,
everyone always trying to help
except when they should
be helping me!