Constance Dickerson came from an ordinary background—nothing that would turn heads in high society.
Old Mrs. Dickerson and I were from the same hometown. Watching her daughter-in-law run the household into the ground, she'd sent for me specifically.
I was just a middle-aged woman from the countryside, but the old lady understood something most people overlooked: when it came to reading people and navigating the unspoken rules of life, folks like us—rough hands and all—knew just as much as any city dweller.
"Effie, the only thing I can't stop worrying about is my daughter-in-law. She's never managed a household this size. If the staff try to take advantage of her, I need you to keep an eye on things for me."
I can still see Nora's kind, gentle face as she spoke those words to me.
"Ma'am, if you trust me with this, I won't let you down."
From my very first day in the Dickerson household, I took my post. And there I stayed—for three years.
For the sake of that one request to "keep an eye on things," I gave those three years everything I had. I could say with a clear conscience that I never cut a single corner.
The Dickersons employed plenty of servants back then, but somehow every task landed on my shoulders.
"Ma'am, shouldn't we divide up the household duties? It would be much more efficient."
When I carefully broached the idea with Mrs. Dickerson, that refined woman didn't even glance up at me. She sat there inspecting her nails, and after a long pause, offered a flat reply.
"We'll see. Just focus on your own responsibilities, Effie."
And so it went. Three years passed, and not a single task was ever reassigned.
Everything in the Dickerson household—inside and out—ran through my hands.
The other servants only pitched in when the family hosted guests, and even that was because Constance thought I wasn't presentable enough to be seen. She wouldn't let me anywhere near those events, afraid I'd embarrass her.
Over the years, the Dickerson family's fortunes had steadily grown. The people coming and going were all prominent figures.
As Les and Constance's social engagements multiplied, I spun like a top from dawn to dusk.
Every night when the couple came home late, what greeted them was always the same: my smile and a hot meal waiting on the table.
At some point, I'd become the person in the Dickerson household who was on call around the clock.
I couldn't remember the last time I'd had a moment to myself. In hazy, exhausted moments, it sometimes struck me that I was more like Les and Constance's own mother than their housekeeper. The bitter irony was that despite calling me "Mrs. Lambert" to my face, neither of them had ever truly given me a second thought.
To them, I was a machine. My wages were the fuel that kept me running—nothing more, nothing less.
It wasn't as though I never had time off. The first year, during the holidays, Les and Constance gave me a full month's rest.
I remember it clearly. I had just finished packing and was about to walk out the door when one of the maids came rushing toward me in a panic. Constance had slipped and fallen—the baby was coming early.
I didn't think twice. I dropped everything and got her to the hospital.
The other maids were falling apart, completely useless. I was terrified too, but I held myself together long enough to get Constance settled in. Somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, I managed to call Les.
That holiday, I spent in the cold corridor outside the hospital room.
On the other side of the wall, Les and his new family of three were laughing and celebrating.
Just like that, I lost my first real break.
The second year, I asked for time off again. Constance shut me down immediately.
"Effie, I'm still in my postpartum recovery. If you leave now, what am I supposed to do with the baby?"
I stood there, caught off guard.
"Ma'am, you could hire a maternity nurse. Honestly, this isn't really my area of expertise..."
