5
Carol and I worried about Peter, but we knew
we had to keep going.
No news was good news.
i
got up early to make breakfast.
Carol rested on weekends, so I made
breakfast.
Last time, after Peter died, Carol couldn’t
handle it and became bedridden. She died
alone.
I was married to Billy Johnson then, doing
well.
After Ashley was kicked out, I visited Carol
sometimes, helping her.
Now, Peter’s life was at stake, and Carol was
my mother–in–law. I wanted her to be healthy.
After breakfast, I took Carol to cut firewood,
mostly to exercise.
There was a temple on the mountain.
I took Carol to pray.
Carol prayed for her son, and I prayed for my
husband. We lit incense and bowed.
We ran into Ashley and her mother–in–law,
Susan.
7 34 17575
7%
4754
77
+45 27 = 3
+ 14.
Ashley looked bad, like a wilted flower.
Yesterday, Susan was arrogant, but now she
was weak.
I looked back at them.
<
Susan yelled, “It’s been months, and you’re
not pregnant?”
“We married you to have kids, not to waste
our money! Go pray. If you don’t get
pregnant, we’ll divorce you!”
I smiled.
Ashley glared at me, then turned to Susan.
“Jenny, don’t be happy. Peter will die. You’ll
be a widow and never have kids! What makes
you better than me?”
I walked over to her.
“What good is a husband if you can’t have
kids? I don’t need kids. My mother–in–law has
money. I sleep in, she makes me food, I don’t
<
work. My dowry is mine. Are you as happy as
me?”
I hit her where it hurt.
Ashley attacked me.
I fought back.
I was stronger now, able to beat Ashley.
Carol yelled for me to stop, and Susan yelled
too.
I scratched Ashley’s face and left with Carol.
Ashley stomped her feet. “I won’t let you get
away with this!”
I yelled back, “I don’t care. You get pregnant!
You barren hen!”
“I’m not barren!”
“My husband’s not here. Why aren’t you
pregnant? Do you know why?”
Ashley paused. “Why?”
I smiled. “I know, but I won’t tell you! Ha!”
