Skimpledawg:
Kenwins, ah saw ya missed call... Tnx.... Yaaay!!! Is madam fantasy again... Plz fish out d food as e dey hot o.

Olashas, hi.


Slimzjoe, suxxman n harjibolar10.... U will like it hia mehn.

Na you sure pass Bros


Make I find sit for one corner, make I dey enjoy am jejely

Skimpledawg:
Kenwins, ah saw ya missed call... Tnx.... Yaaay!!! Is madam fantasy again... Plz fish out d food as e dey hot o.

Olashas, hi.


Slimzjoe, suxxman n harjibolar10.... U will like it hia mehn.

So u called jus them abi?

[size=18pt]2[/size]

?

The swindler (Mr Awaretoma) was a fellow neighbour and church member who continued to plead with Mr Edwards. Mr Awaretoma could beg for the whole of Africa, but he would not agree to refund a kobo. He claimed he was duped as well by a fellow contractor. He had nothing to give and he claimed he lost all his money too.

Mr Edwards involved the police but Mr Awaretoma was let out on bail the following day. Then he came with their pastor and some elders and continued to beg Mr Edwards. It was such a useless web to be caught in. The swindler was as slippery as an eel and he had a sugary tongue to go with it. He knew people who knew people and he often joked that he was safer at a police station than staying at home! Mr Edwards was so frustrated, he didn’t know what to do. He didn't believe Awaretoma was swindled but he was running out of options. At the end of the day, he decided to allow God judge the case. He would often tell his wife and children ''God will judge him'' and when he said the word 'judge' he would pronounce it with the typical Warri accent.

After that incidence, Mr Edwards closed shop completely. He spent his days sitting by the front of his dilapidated home and watching the birds, goats and fowl go by. He watched the trees sway around lazily before the earth opened its bowel and blessed the earth. He watched the sun rise and set daily and he praised God while at it.

He was a jolly good fellow and everyone knew him. He waved at neighbours as they went about their daily duties. Sometimes he moved closer to them and would begin to talk about politics or sports. Most times he got their attention, but at other times, they would wave at him and hurry away. Mr Edwards was indeed a greeter and most of the workers knew he had nothing to lose by chatting all day.

In actual fact, Mr Edwards was the head usher in his local church and so he let his light shine. He greeted the manual labourers as they moved around with their tools and sack. Sometimes a certain neighbour would stop for a natter and they would converse in their native dialect. Mr Edwards loved his front porch. He had his meal there and even washed his clothes (by himself) in front of his house. In addition, everyone knew his stool and wooden chair which was always on standby. Of all his items, none was as constant as his radio.

That was the image Nat would always have of her father - a man lazing on a wooden chair with a transistor radio on a stool. By the time she returned from school with her siblings, he would still be in front of the yard with his small transistor radio by his hand or on the stool. On most mornings, he smiled at his children as they sauntered off to school and sometimes he walked his own children to the junction to take a ride. Sometimes he escorted them because he wanted to take back their transport fare while seeing to it that they entered a friend’s car.

Initially Mrs Edwards was cross with her husband. The couple quarreled a lot but her husband remained obstinate. At times, Mrs Edwards would punish him by not cooking his meal however her husband would remain undeterred. He often bought edible worm and ate it with kpokpo garri. Other times it would be kpokpo garri and groundnut. And on those days when he was feeling a bit lucky, it would be kpokpo garri and corned beef. Anytime he ate corned beef, he would save a bit for his 3 children because it was a rare treat for them.

He could be an annoying man yet he was such a cheerful fellow. His children loved him to the moon and back because he joked a lot and taught them never to take life seriously. Even when his wife picked up a fight with him, he advised her not to allow anger and bitterness kill her. Then he would sing songs to her in her native Isoko dialect and remind her to be patient while she would continue to cry and insult him. By the time she was done, he would hug her and remind her she was living in his property free of charge ''when last did you pay rent?'' he would ask. He was such a lovable rouge and Mrs Edwards didn’t know what to do with her husband.

Mrs Edwards was the sole provider at that point. She had learnt how to bake as a young girl and now the craft came handy. She bought bread from the popular Emu bakery and sold along with provisions in front of her house. Mr Edwards decided to do something useful for once. He helped with the sales in the morning while his family was away at school and work.

He was very prudent with his wife’s money and he helped with deliveries as well. Mrs Edwards also made chin chin and cup cake. In addition, she made buns, egg roll, fish roll and puff puff. When small chops first crept into the Nigerian market, she was one of the first to run off to Lagos to learn the trade.

Overtime, she became the go to person when you needed help with pastries. She sold to the kiosk women at her school and in church. She sold to anyone who was interested in buying on a large scale. She became very successful at this business and her husband became her right hand man.

The business was completely her idea and she was the brain behind it but she would incorporate her husband into it and he would prove to be successful especially with record keeping and deliveries. The business became theirs and their children got involved as well.

The business would grow so large and Mrs Edwards would contemplate taking an early retirement but her husband cautioned her against it. He advised her to reach the pinnacle of her career before signing off. To the outside world, the Edwards climb to success seemed really easy but it was not so. It took the Edwards a very long time to attain this stage, but it was worth it. As a matter of fact, life was tough for Nat throughout her primary and secondary school years. It was only when she got into the university, there seemed to be some sort of respite. It was a good thing the hardest days (when they could barely afford a three square meal) were when the children were still young and could barely remember how tough life was.

In later years, they were none the wiser. They didn’t have an entitled life but they were happy children.

Thank you everyone, thank you. Good morning yall.

Lilyomi:

So u called jus them abi?

Oh dearie... I tot Onemansquad notified u. U for tell me say Una don break up na .... Come sit on my lap damsel...


*barman, bring popcorn n ice cream for my lady*


Tnx for d Breakfast fantasyisland.... U just different in d way u tell ya stories.... No much big big grammer n at d end of d day, we learn lots of lessons from it... Awesome.

Fantasyisland:
By the time she was done, he would hug her and remind her she was living in his property free of charge ''when last did you pay rent?'' he would ask. He was such a lovable rouge and Mrs Edwards didn’t know what to do with her husband.

This part got me reeling with laughter... Kai, fantasy u are just sweet...

+Brings cutlass out

Skimpledawg:

Come sit on my lap damsel...


*barman, bring popcorn n ice cream for my lady*

Shea you want to loose the laps abi?

I de here since you no order for me, she just show you de reason her. I de table your case to Ishi...

Nice one fantasy.

Fantasyisland, you are intend talent personified. I have been a silent reader of your work since you started writing on NL. Am not usually fazed by the talents of other writers but I must admit you have got a unique style here. I wouldn't go on and on because you've probably heard it lots of times.
But please do indulge me on ur secrets. Do you start and finish a story here on NL or you've written it before and just copy and paste?
How do U manage with writer's laziness? Lol because as for mua, I have been struggling to finish four different novels. I usually drop an unfinished one, and start another.
Do pray tell.

jtenna:
Fantasyisland, you are intend talent personified. I have been a silent reader of your work since you started writing on NL. Am not usually fazed by the talents of other writers but I must admit you have got a unique style here. I wouldn't go on and on because you've probably heard it lots of times.
But please do indulge me on ur secrets. Do you start and finish a story here on NL or you've written it before and just copy and paste?
How do U manage with writer's laziness? Lol because as for mua, I have been struggling to finish four different novels. I usually drop an unfinished one, and start another.
Do pray tell.

Thanks dear. I don't write any story on Nairaland unless I'm nearly done. I may have loads left to do i.e grammatical error, arrangement and a bit of fine tuning but I make sure the work is nearly complete. I also know how the story would end (I have it in my head) even if its not finished. I know the characters I would kill off and readers opinions never sway me. While some may be complaining about a character I've killed off or what someone should or shouldn't have done, I'm probably tidying the last few chapters of the novel. It also helps that I don't update with a phone (I have a very unfriendly phone when it comes to typing)


Next time you are tempted to write a story, don't paste it on Nairaland until you're like 60 to 70% complete. Just keep typing and saving somewhere or writing it down on a paper. Don't be tempted to paste it until you know the fate of the major characters. Hopefully you wouldn't have incomplete stories. Hope that helped.

[size=18pt]3[/size]
Ebube was the last child of three female children born to Mr and Mrs Nwadialu. Her family lived in Asaba and their family situation could be described as comfortable. Her father was a lawyer who worked in a law firm while her mother worked as an administrator in a government hospital.

Ebube lived a fairy tale life until things began to go awry in her family. But of course she had no idea things had been bad for a long time. She was at the boarding house anyway so she had no clue until after her JSS3 exam came to an end. She came home and met a house without her father. For some days, everyone refused to tell her where he had gone.

The first indication that something was wrong was the conflicting stories she got from everyone. Her mother told her he had travelled to Abuja. Then when her eldest sister got back from school and Ebube asked about their dad, Uche told her he went to see his relations in the village. Her immediate elder sister was more forthcoming though. Everyone knew Isioma was brutally honest and her knack for speaking plainly had gotten her into trouble a couple of time.
As a general rule, people believed the closer the age gap, the closer the siblings, but same could not be said for Isioma. She was in SS3 but Ebube was far closer to their eldest sister at the university. Isioma was nobody’s friend and she enjoyed keeping malice with everyone and that included their gateman, neighbours, maid and dog!

The day the truth became plain, Ebube had just asked after her father again. Isioma was staring at the mirror and carefully lining her eyebrow with a black eye pencil. She ignored her younger sister but Ebube was persistent ‘’why is everyone lying about daddy?’’ she asked. ‘’Today mummy will say Abuja and tomorrow Uche will say another thing. Then the other day, I told mummy to call his landline and she said she cannot. I think everybody is hiding something’’

‘’How old are you again?’’ Isioma asked.

‘’What kind of question is that?’’

‘’You are the one asking for information and you know I nor dey cover mouth talk before’’

The room was quiet for a while until Ebube spoke up ‘’14 years old’’

Then Isioma turned to face her and spat out ‘’then you better act your age. It’s not the one I will tell you then you will begin to cry like that time I told you Father Christmas does not exist. If you call my name for this matter ehn I will deny you hands down’’

‘’Where is daddy? He didn’t send his driver to pick me and he has not spoken with me for two weeks now. I now went to them mummy and daddy’s room and saw his wardrobe was empty...’’

‘’Your father is not coming back!’’

‘’Why?’’ Ebube asked.

‘’Because he decided to move to Abuja''

''But why Abuja? What of his office here?''

''He has closed the office. He went to Abuja because he got like this big federal parastatal work there plus he won't be alone. He went with that his secretary!’’

‘’Okay so when are they coming back?’’

‘’Are you deaf or something? I see you hiding to read Mills and boon abi Hints and Heart magazine so you cannot pretend you don’t know what I mean’’

‘’Really?’’ Ebube asked. ‘’You mean like that? Like him and the secretary...’’

‘’Yes like that. He went to do traditional marriage for the woman. She is pregnant!’’

‘’Really? So is it like he was feeling sorry for her and then he now married her or like...’’

‘’Don’t be slow nah; he got her pregnant. You know that thing grownups do? So yeah like that. She is having his baby so congratulations. You will soon have a step sibling most likely a baby brother’’

‘’But why?’’

‘’Because Y has a long tail and two branches’’

Then Ebube hissed and announced ‘’Isi, you promised to tell me the truth. Why did mummy allow it?’’

Isioma sighed deeply like she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulder then she continued ‘'one she cannot have more children because the doctor says so. Two if she disobeys the doctor and has more children, something bad may happen to her enemy. Three even if she disobeys the doctor and gets pregnant, what is the chance it won’t be a fourth girl? So is it worth it? Is it better we lose our mother so we can have a father who will still go ahead to marry another woman?''

''I guess not''

''Yep so either way mummy has lost because he needs a male child like now now. Your father is looking for an heir, a son he never had. A son that will inherit his property so bad news for all of us - OYO is now our middle name. Next time you come to the world, ask God to make you a boy. I hear they were hoping and praying you would be the one to save us as per last born tinz but we all know you were not the redeemer’’

''You don’t have to be so mean about it''

''Mean is good. Mean drives the truth faster plus it's my coping mechanism. You like to cry so you can start crying. Uche likes to read so she can continue reading. Mummy likes to pray so she can continue praying. You do your own and I'll do my own''

Suddenly, the room was quiet then Ebube whispered ‘’how come everyone knew this but me?’’

‘’Because you are a baby’’

‘’I’m not a baby!’’ Ebube refuted.

‘’Okay so maybe it’s because you are daddy’s girl and they don’t want to hurt you or make you think less of him. Maybe it’s because you are the last born and that’s no one’s fault. Where were you when I was doing my first Christmas on earth? Next time try and come as first or second born so they can tell you big things like this, besides na you dey boarding house – not my fault’’

Then Ebube began to heave and Isioma turned around and looked at her in disgust. She looked like a masquerade with her thick eye brow and dark liner under eyes. Ebube wanted to cry badly, but the moment she saw Isioma’s face, the cry left her throat one time ‘’Jesus Christ, what were you trying to do just now?’’ Isioma asked in disgust ‘’I beg don’t put me in trouble oh!’’

‘’I won’t cry but I feel bad. I feel bad Isi. I feel bad because I have lived a lie. Every time daddy said it didn’t matter that there was no boy. He told us we were strong like boys. He told us we could do what boys did. He told us...’’

‘’He lied’’

‘’Yes he did and his heart did not even touch him to call me’’

‘’You are supposed to be his favourite and I think it’s worse for him because he has failed his protégée. He is ashamed, it is guilty conscience so forgive him’’

‘’Who is a protégé?’’

‘’Are you not the one who wants to read law because her father is a lawyer? If you wanted to do it to please him, now is the time to stop. You can read English or International relations instead, its 4 years. Law is 5 and that’s not adding their law school or NYSC. By the time you finish, you will be like Methuselah abi edede! All your mates go don marry born finish’’

Then Ebube stood up and announced ‘’thanks for telling me everything. You see I didn’t cry because I’m older and wiser. You people should stop hiding things from me''

''I hear you''

''There is another reason I didn’t cry sha’’

‘’Tell me’’ Isioma said. By now she was trying out a red lipstick.

Then Ebube walked towards the door to avoid any flying item. She waited for a bit before announcing ‘’your makeup is just sha terrible. I wanted to cry but I started to laugh instead’’ then she ran out of the room before Isioma’s shoe could reach her.

***
Later that evening, Ebube pushed her mother’s door aside and walked into the spacious bedroom. He mother was reading her bible, but she shut it the moment her daughter sat on the bed. Mrs Nwadialu spent the next few minutes praying while Ebube looked around the room.

The lights were dim and the bedroom looked like a shadow of its former self. She could see her father’s side of the wardrobe. It used to contain rows upon rows of black suits and starched white shirts but today there was nothing but empty boxes and Ghana must go bag peering at her. His rows of shiny black shoes were all gone as well.

It was such a shame how quickly things could degenerate. Her father was big on electronics and she noticed how all his gargets had gone out with him. His worn out wig that always stood at a corner was no longer there. His black brief case was gone and she felt like weeping. She recalled telling him to buy a new wig once because his old wig no longer looked shinny but he told her it was better than way. He told her an older looking wig spoke of age and maturity at the bar. Ebube didn’t quite understand it then, but she would come to realize what he meant in later years.

Suddenly her mother reached out and touched her arm ‘’did you want to tell me something before you went to bed?’’

‘’No’’ Ebube replied.

‘’Are you sure?’’

Then Ebube hugged her tight and refused to let go ‘’what’s it all about?’’ Mrs Nwadialu asked the moment her daughter released her neck.

‘’I just wanted you to know I know and its okay. I’m not angry. I can sleep with you this night so you won’t feel bad’’

Mrs Nwadialu smiled at her and tears welled up in her eyes. Then she cupped her chin and whispered ‘’oh my daughter, you are wise beyond your years. They call you daddy’s girl but you are also mummy's rock. You are the dream of every parent. May your children bring you joy and wipe every tear from your face. May they uplift you and cause you no shame. You will marvel at the wisdom from their lips even as children. Not just you but your sisters as well. I’m not quite sure you know what you have done tonight but someday you will understand...’’

‘’Can I sleep in your room then?’’

‘’Yes you can but just for tonight’’

‘’Can I go on some holidays and see daddy?’’

‘’Of course you can but I want you to pray for something better instead’’

‘’Pray for what?’’

‘’I want you children to pray for your daddy to come back to his senses and return home. Would you do that for me?’’

‘’Yes mum’’

They lay down to sleep and the room was quiet before Ebube spoke again ‘’would you like us to pray about it tonight?’’

‘’Why of course!’’ Mrs Nwadialu replied.

They sat up right and mother and daughter held hands and said a short prayer about daddy coming back to his senses. They prayed he would return home and be happy but alas, that would be a prayer that would never be answered. Mr Nwadialu's new wife would go on to have a male child followed by two more sons in quick successions. Mr Nwadialu would never return home until his death.

Ok. You just captured my heart... Let's have more. I think i love Nat

Fantasyisland:


Thanks dear. I don't write any story on Nairaland unless I'm nearly done. I may have loads left to do i.e grammatical error, arrangement and a bit of fine tuning but I make sure the work is nearly complete. I also know how the story would end (I have it in my head) even if its not finished. I know the characters I would kill off and readers opinions never sway me. While some may be complaining about a character I've killed off or what someone should or shouldn't have done, I'm probably tidying the last few chapters of the novel. It also helps that I don't update with a phone (I have a very unfriendly phone when it comes to typing)


Next time you are tempted to write a story, don't paste it on Nairaland until you're like 60 to 70% complete. Just keep typing and saving somewhere or writing it down on a paper. Don't be tempted to paste it until you know the fate of the major characters. Hopefully you wouldn't have incomplete stories. Hope that helped.

Thanks so much dear, it helped a lot! As for the typing with an unfriendly phone thingy, you got me there. Its really frustrating for me as my laptop is bad. Keep up the good work dear and as for you last story; I is for Infidelity.... I thought it didn't end well. Lol, now I understand why.
You know, the beauty of being a writter is that we mold and shape our words world, we are gods and goddesses and for that moment, we control, we are untouchable.
I wish U a very uplifting career in writing. I might need ur skills someday, Lol.

men and their evil mind. Just abadoned his family without care ... More please

Sweet families. I just love the way you do your discriptions. Superb I must say.

stuff46:
+Brings cutlass out


Shea you want to loose the laps abi?

I de here since you no order for me, she just show you de reason her. I de table your case to Ishi...

Niccur pm me asap...

Skimpledawg:
Kenwins, ah saw ya missed call... Tnx.... Yaaay!!! Is madam fantasy again... Plz fish out d food as e dey hot o.

Olashas, hi.


Slimzjoe, suxxman n harjibolar10.... U will like it hia mehn.

Lilyomi:

So u called jus them abi?

Did I just sense Jealousy??

Nice Update

[size=18pt]4[/size]

About 8 years later at the University of Benin

Nat applied another layer of lipstick on her lips while Belinda watched from a corner ‘’have you heard from her now?’’ Nat asked.

''Ehn?’’ Belinda replied. She could not hear a thing while Nat was speaking and applying lipstick at the same time.

''I said have you been able to reach Ebube?’’ this time around her voice sounded clearer.

‘’Mehn, I don’t think she believes you oh! The last time I called her she sounded like she didn’t believe me. She said she had a tutorial to attend’’

‘’That’s so typical of her to chicken out at the last minute. Kenneth would be disappointed if she does not show up. I made a big deal out of the whole thing. He is looking forward to this auspicious meeting. Of course he has no idea you will sleep over and watch our blue film later in the night but he likes it when we all hang out''

‘’Me too, I can’t wait’’ Belinda murmured. She continued to chat with someone on her phone and Nat eyed what she was wearing. Belinda was a good looking girl but she could be better if only she put in more effort into her dressing. She was not big on makeup and only used it sparingly. Then she dressed like she was going to the choir every bloody time! She had loads of corporate looking blouses with the straight collar and buttons running from top to bottom.

When her friends began to tease her, she decided to pair them with jeans trouser. One day Ebube looked at her and asked ‘’do you forbid tank tops with your plenty jeans trousers? Have you ever thought of substituting a top with your plenty t shirts or blouses?’’

Then Belinda frowned and replied ‘’my arms are fat. Why would you want me to go out in a tank top? For me, a tank top is what you’d wear with a bum shot when you want to wash your clothes on a Saturday morning’’

But overtime Belinda changed, she had begun to wear dresses and she looked great in them. She went on to wear other things, but she never liked to expose her arms. Today she was wearing a lilac dress but she had to spoil it by wearing a rather large denim shirt on top. It was a shirt she wore often and today she had it on again.

Nat continued to look at her and finally it got to Belinda. She put down her phone and eyed Nat ‘’what are you looking at with that kind of eye?’’ she asked.

''Is there any reason you have that shirt on? I mean the denim shirt’’

''Is the shirt disturbing you?’’ Belinda asked.

‘’Not really just that it’s rather large’’

‘’Well its 5pm and soon it would be cold’’

‘’Okay you win so would you like me to help with your makeup?’’

‘’No thanks, I’ve got it covered already’’

‘’I can barely see a thing though’’

‘’And that’s because I wear light makeup silly. Listen do you want me to watch you guys make out or what? Your boyfriend won’t be looking at my face or my cloth so what does it matter?’’

‘’You have a valid point, oya oh make we dey go. Ebube would hear the gist’’

Then Belinda got up and strapped her bag across her chest ‘’about time’’ she murmured.

***
Ebube didn't think such a shameful day would come but it did the following morning. This time around someone felt justified and rightly so. Nat was pretending like she was sleeping while Belinda was doing all the talking ‘’I saw it life and direct...’’

‘’Eww!’’ Ebube remarked. ‘’So Nat is that mad? Babe, you know I was joking, you didn’t have to do it’’

‘’I’m not complaining oh’’ Nat replied in a cheerful tone. ‘’We had fun abi na lie?’’

‘’I sure did’’ Belinda replied. ‘’We hung out with some of his guys at this point and kill place thereafter we went to a club at GRA. Then later that night, we got home and they crashed in the parlour. Ken obviously thought I was sleeping but of course I was not. Almost immediately the mad people began to have sex. I tell you it was a bit of an educational journey for me. You guys know I have not done it before so ...’’

‘’Lie, lie’’ everyone shouted.

For reasons best known to Belinda, she always claimed she was a virgin but no one believed her.

''There is no virgin in this room’’ Ebube replied.

‘’If you say it long enough, you may start to believe it’’ Belinda replied. ‘’But the fact remains there are some chaste ones’’

‘’I am chaste but I have done it - no regrets. Anyway can someone answer the riddle now? How does a man eat the moimoi along with the leaf?’’ Ebube asked.

The room was quiet for sometime before Belinda burst into her trademark laughter ‘’ejo, someone tell me nah’’ Ebube begged.

‘’Its good old rimming and nothing more’’ Belinda announced.

‘’What da bloody hell! OMG, OMG, eww! I swear I can’t deal. That fine boy? You got to be kidding me! Sorry who did you say is eating the leaf again? You or Kenneth?’’

‘’I dey craze?’’ Nat replied.

‘’Did you watch that? Did you really see that shit? Like literally, did you see the shit?’’ Ebube asked. She was addressing Belinda but Belinda could not speak. She continued to laugh while nodding her head in the affirmative. Then Ebube ran outside the room and continued to laugh. Some minutes later, she came back into the room and announced ‘’I think Kenneth is gay. Belinda, I think you're also gay for watching that stuff. Nat, you need to immerse yourself in the blood. I think yall are perverse and gay for watching and indulging in that dirty act’’ then she ran out of the room again and continued to laugh.

[size=18pt]5[/size]
It was a hot Saturday in October and two roommates were at home that day. The previous day, Belinda had taken a flight to her family home in Port Harcourt. Her parents were celebrating their silver jubilee and it was going to be a big party. For several weeks, Belinda toyed with the idea of staying back but her friends convinced her otherwise. If her younger brothers in the States could attend, what excuse did a child in Benin have for not attending?

On that hot afternoon, Ebube was talking about her boyfriend Charles. Charles Uzoh had graduated two years earlier and was currently working in a taxation firm in Lagos. He was young and also quite successful at his young age. He was a graduate of Economics and Statistics (UNIBEN) and he seemed pretty serious with Ebube. She was one of those girls who seemed quite lucky in her relationship.

She was smart, pretty and attracted the right kind of boys. Ebube was quite serious with Charles but she was not the rigid type. She continued to mingle with school boys but it was never anything serious. Initially, her activities included a date here, another date or outing, a departmental dinner, going to the movies or an eatery. Whenever things got too steamy with a certain boy, she knew how to move away. She continued like that for quite a while until one day, kongi got the best of her then she slept with a boy called Idongesit. At first she was ashamed of herself but overtime, shame would flee from her and she would introduce Idongesit to her friends. When the girls knew who he truly was, they would be shocked. Ebube had officially broken her good girl record but who were they to judge? Everyone agreed she had tried by holding out for as long as possible. She was human after all. She was a young girl in her prime at the university and it would be unfair to ask her to live like a pastor's wife.