The First Witch of Boston

by Andrea Catalano

I had only known coy, reticent women, who never spoke unless spoken to, whose sentiments and inner thoughts were locked away from the world. But this Maggie Drinkwater, she was like a new creature I’d never seen before. And I loved her for it.

You see, I had only known men who threw their weight and voices round as though they were kings, as though it were their divine right. Most think they know everything and speak like they do, when it is nothing but empty words. They know naught, most of them. And the louder they are, the less they know. The more they boast, the less they have. The more show they put on in front of lasses, the less show they’ve got for you under the bed linens.”

When a woman caused too much trouble or spoke too plainly, it seemed, there were those who would take umbrage and use piety as excuse and reason to take her in hand.