Montana, Mountain Sky Ranch
It is the summer of 1994. I am 23 and working at Mountain Sky Ranch in Emigrant, Montana. Chambermaid and Laundress are my significant assignments at the ranch that summer.
My sister and I have not been close most of our lives, though we shared a bedroom all growing up and, for a few summers, hung out with the same crowd.
I have always been jealous of her. Our parents, extended family and community of neighbors, and few shared friends, all adore her, and despite my jealousy, I even have had an adoration for her.
We fought over clothing and food, sometimes quite violently. Though I never tried to fight for attention, I knew it was a fruitless endeavor even then.
The guest ranch was gorgeous but lonely for me. I worked, I worked, I worked. I would wake in the middle of the night and go to the laundry room to wash, dry, fold, keep busy, and have some privacy.
It was the summer that OJ Simpson took the LAPD on a chase in LA. It seemed surreal that he was accused of such a violent murder. He had such a gentle charisma about him.
One day towards the middle of my stay there, a small package arrived. It was the first package or letter I had received.
