11
Г
Gossip is a weapon.
Especially in the village.
I used the gossip against Ashley.
The news spread quickly.
Billy found out he was being cheated on and
wanted a divorce.
Ashley said, “I learned from you. You cheated
with your cousin!”
They fought, and Billy kicked Ashley in the
stomach.
The baby died.
The thug got mad and beat up Billy.
Billy’s legs were broken, and the thug went to
jail.
Ashley divorced and went home.
Her life was bad. Her brother wanted to date,
but no one wanted to date with a sister like
that.
Peter came back to base.
I touched my stomach and waited for the
baby.
I made clothes for neighbors.
<
Carol cooked for me and washed my feet, like
I was her daughter.
I sent Peter a telegram telling him my due
date.
Carol helped me find a hospital.
She said childbirth was dangerous.
I went to the hospital.
I was nervous and excited.
I felt someone coming closer.
I sensed danger.
I remembered being stabbed.
<
I rolled over!
I heard a man grunt.
Carol turned on the light.
Ashley dropped the knife.
Peter kicked her.
Ashley was angry.
“Why are you better than me? Peter should
be mine!”
Peter kicked her face.
Carol hugged Peter. “Thank goodness you
came back…”
I yelled, “Murder! Help!”
That night, I had a baby girl.
Peter had a bandage on his arm and stayed
with me.
Ashley was arrested.
I asked Peter, “Why didn’t you dodge?”
Peter held our daughter.
“This was the best way to get her in jail.”
My mom begged me to save Ashley. I refused.
Ashley wasn’t sentenced to death, but prison
was worse.
く
My dad asked me to help his son join the
army.
I said, “You can’t. Your daughter is a
murderer, and you’re a thief.”
My dad left.
The Johnsons were worse. Billy drank all the
time.
Later, Ashley got out of jail, and Billy killed
her.
Ashley died in the city.
She was stabbed and bled to death.
I didn’t know if Ashley regretted it.
