Give it to Anna

My furnished apartment is twenty-six years old. In July I bought a sofa, armchair and a small kitchen bar and stools. My furniture treplaced the traditional Mexican furniture which was very uncomfortable.

I’ve been replacing small items as well. First it was the cutting board. In Canada I would have tossed the old cutting board in the garbage. Here, nothing gets thrown away. However, I think the old wooden cutting board is unhealthy and I don’t want to give it to anyone. I asked my friend what to do with it, “Give it to Anna,” he said. Anna is the housekeeper. I didn’t give it to Ann, instead I hid it at the back of the cupboard.

Today I bought a new kitchen garbage can and dish drainer. I explained to Ruth, my landlady, that I bought new items and asked what I should do with the old ones. “Give them to Anna,” she said.

Anna followed me up the stairs that lead to my apartment. I gave her the old, dirty beyond getting clean again, garbage can and dish drainer. She took them and asked about other things, like old plastic dishes. I plan to replace these things too, but not today. “Another day,” I told her.

Maybe Anna collects what to me is junk and cleans it up as best she can and sells it on the street. Maybe she has friends and relatives who are grateful to receive what richer people discard. I don’t know what Anna does with the old stuff she’s given. Maybe I’ll ask.

Now I know what to do with things I would have thrown out in Canada, or given to the Salvation Army. I’ll give it all to Anna.