She walked back up her staircase and stopped to gaze over the banister, “Forgive me Lord,” she said, as she stared down into the living room. From where she stood, she saw the bible on the coffee table. She felt like a great sinner, trying to replace Emmanuel and was taking a spiritual toll. Especially since Marshall, her brother-in-law had just died. It was as if suddenly she realized that life was too short for fighting the ones you love.

'These were the times she wished Emmanuel was still part of her life.  She wished he was there to drive her home.  He would do that, come up to New Bethill, or to Shiloh where her office was and take her home if the weather was bad. If she was comfortable driving, he would call, over and over.  Sometimes he hung on the phone and talked to her till she got home.'

'She tried her best to hold on to love and marriage.  Tried to make it work.  When that failed she sought justice, returned his infidelities with those of her own.  She learned from her wrong doings.  She stopped—not worth the giving of her soul.  But his affairs continued, year after year, one affair after another, like worms in a can.  Six affairs over a 9-year stretch was too much, Angel was done trying to make it work, over trying to change Emmanuel, into a faithful husband.'