The Farm

by Joanne Ramos

It was a self-contained world, one built to withstand the shocks and storms of life, Jane realized over the weeks.

For Jane, the fact that her money would grow by itself was a revelation. It was as if a door previously closed to her had been opened—just a crack—and for the first time she could imagine a way inside. If her money could grow just by sitting still, then she needed more of it. Not the dollars and dimes that she made at the retirement home, but big money, like she made at the Carters’. If she was careful, this big money would grow, little by little, all by itself. Into a fortress.

Mae’s never understood why people—privileged people especially, like Reagan and Katie—insist that there’s something shameful in desiring money. No immigrant ever apologized for wanting a nicer life.

Because in America you only have to know how to make money. Money buys everything else.

The problem is that she is too pretty. When you are too pretty, the other parts of you do not become strong.

There are people who move through the world like they own it, and the world seems to bend to their demands.