Chapter 2 – freedom to shop!
Chalchiuitl looked at the sky and sighed. Today was a good day. She would go through the city as a free person, not having to do someone's work.
She walked to the market, located in the square beneath the temple. It was bustling, as it was every day. The sellers were everywhere, though they were grouped according to what they sold there were so many of them she couldn't see distinct groups. People were selling foods like cacao beans and chilies. And she was surprised that some of the booths weren't overflowing with all of the corn that was piled in, on, and even under it.
As Chalchiuitl gazed at the square she felt an exited rush as she remembered the cacao beans she still had in her pocket from her last payment as a slave! She could go and buy anything she wanted, she could buy spices or dyes in any color she chose. She felt like she could buy the entire empire. She didn't have to worry about getting the right items, ones that her mistress would like, because she was shopping for herself with these few cacao beans she could buy anything! Ah, the joys of being free.
Quickly Chalchiuitl went to every shop. The jewel booths, where she was surprised and delighted to find a necklace that had come all the way from Cholula! She went to the weaving booths to find clothes Aztec women made, who are known for their fine weaving, was sold. And (her personal favorite) the medicine booths for she had lived up to her name and loved medicine, it was fascinating.
Later in the day she went to others, one of which sold tools and another, which sold Texaco's famous ceramics. But all too soon the light faded and she hurried to her home, though it could barely be called a house.
As she settled into a deep sleep thoughts came to her of a quetzal bird, soaring over her and guarding her dreams.
She slept with a smile on her face that night.
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