I knew the moment they knocked on my door, they were here for her. Of course they were. The girl has lived such a charmed life, why would that stop now? Yet, I couldn’t help myself-I had to give my own daughters a chance. They deserve one last shot at an easy, beautiful life.

That’s all I ever wanted for them. My darling girls are the best things this world has ever created. I wept with joy the day they arrived when I discovered there were two of them. What a gift and a blessing. It’s not their fault their father caught the sweat and left us too early. In my foolish youth, I married a man that I loved, not thinking about my future children’s lives. When he left us, he left us with nothing. No incomes, no home, no family-just myself, my girls, and a world of grief. That’s why I did it. That’s why I brought us here-for them.

Now here they are, face to face with the Duke as he seeks the mysterious girl with the glass slipper from the previous night’s ball. Oh I know it doesn’t belong to either of my girls, but they are beautiful, graceful, strong young women-any man with eyes can see their value. They deserve the opportunity to be seen.

I also know, somewhere deep in my bones, that she’s the one they want-my stepdaughter. She has a way of getting everything good in this world. I just need some time.

“we are so very honored to host you, your Grace” I curtsy low to the Duke as he enters into the drawing room “could I offer you tea and cakes?”

“It is a lovely home indeed, Lady Tremaine. You are very generous to offer, thank you”. The Duke appears to be speaking mostly to himself as he wanders over to a far chair and takes a seat. He is visably exhausted.

“If you’ll pardon me for a moment” I leave him to settle in and head the kitchen where I find her resting at the table. “Cinderella! we need tea and cakes at once!”

She jumps up, startled by the sound of my voice. Her hair is onlt half contained by the scarf on her head. The rest falls, knotted and dirty to her shoulders. Pieces of the days work, linger on her-soot from the sweeping, lye from the washing, hay from the stables, and crumbs from the cooking. I feel myself smiling. I must admit it brings me a bit of joy to see her this way-dirty and laboring. It’s good for her. This child has had an easier life than most. Her father was smart with his household and left her wanting for nothing. She had a sunny childhood running through the grass, reading by warm fireplaces, and sleeping on feather beds. She never knew what it was to struggle. To work hard. That is what I’m teaching her. This is her time to grow and to work. This is her last chance for I fear she will soon become as spoiled as tabled milk. Lord knows my own daughters have had their fill of struggle-but oh how strong they have become. And now it is their turn to relax in luxury and enjoy living an easy life.

I shake the thought away and return to he task at hand. “We have guests-important guests. They will be needing refreshments. Bring them to the sitting room when they are ready.”

“Yes stepmother”, Cinderella’s reply is meek and raspy with exhaustion. She heads toward the kettle and begins preparing the tea.

I know I don’t have much time. I head upstairs to collect my daughters for their time with the Duke before they are overshadowed by my charmed step-daughter. Just 10-minutes, that’s all they need. I know they aren’e destined for the palace, I’m an not a fool to think they should have more than they are due. But I would be a horrible mother if I did not grant them the opportunity to make an excellent impression upon the most important men in our kingdom.

I bring them to the sitting room and introduce them to the Duke. They are charming and witty as the Duke denies their eligability for the prince. Before long, the tea come out and my girls are forgotten. As I expected, Cinderella is wicked away to the palace to lead an enchanted life where she will hardly need to lift a finger. As I watch her walk out my door I pray that she will remember her family and all that we have done for her. I pray that my lessons in hard work and practicality will stay with her, and she will hold a place in her heart for her dear sisters.

She doesn’t, of course.