Favorite_JJ Wife_NN1 :_: Escape_VV0 from_II Polygamy_NP1 Estela_NP1 Stubbss_NP1 dark_NN1 ,_, Mexican_JJ features_NN2 scowled_VVD at_II me_PPIO1 from_II her_APPGE seat_NN1 half_RR21 way_RR22 down_RP the_AT aisle_NN1 of_IO our_APPGE adobe_NN1 church_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 grimaced_VVD with_IW frustration_NN1 ,_, then_RT returned_VVD my_APPGE gaze_NN1 to_II the_AT open_JJ hymnbook_NN1 perched_VVN on_II the_AT piano_NN1 in_II31 front_II32 of_II33 me_PPIO1 ._. 
While_CS my_APPGE fingers_NN2 automatically_RR roamed_VVD over_II the_AT keys_NN2 ,_, my_APPGE attention_NN1 stubbornly_RR remained_VVN on_II the_AT Stubbs_NP1 couple_NN1 seated_VVN among_II the_AT small_JJ congregation_NN1 ._. 
The_AT woman_NN1 was_VBDZ so_RG possessive_JJ !_! 
All_DB I_PPIS1 'd_VHD done_VDN was_VBDZ grin_NN1 at_II Lane_NN1 ,_, Estela_NP1 's_GE husband_NN1 ,_, and_CC that_DD1 was_VBDZ because_CS he_PPHS1 'd_VHD winked_VVN one_MC1 of_IO those_DD2 flirtatious_JJ ,_, sage-green_JJ eyes_NN2 at_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
Estela_NN1 was_VBDZ sure_JJ out_RP to_TO make_VVI our_APPGE romance_NN1 difficult_JJ ._. 
Even_CS21 though_CS22 I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ only_RR fourteen_MC years_NNT2 old_JJ ,_, I_PPIS1 envisioned_VVD myself_PPX1 possibly_RR becoming_VVG Lane_NN1 's_GE second_MD wife_NN1 ._. 
Once_CS we_PPIS2 were_VBDR married_JJ I_PPIS1 certainly_RR would_VM n't_XX be_VBI jealous_JJ or_CC possessive_JJ ._. 
Unlike_II Estela_NP1 ,_, I_PPIS1 would_VM willingly_RR share_VVI my_APPGE husband_NN1 with_IW any_DD other_JJ wives_NN2 he_PPHS1 might_VM take_VVI ,_, as_CSA our_APPGE faith_NN1 commanded_VVD ._. 
I_PPIS1 wiggled_VVD around_RP on_II the_AT piano_NN1 bench_NN1 and_CC tried_VVD to_TO concentrate_VVI on_II the_AT prelude_NN1 music_NN1 before_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
But_CCB suddenly_RR the_AT special_JJ ,_, rare_JJ comment_NN1 my_APPGE mother_NN1 made_VVD coming_VVG to_II church_NN1 this_DD1 morning_NNT1 flashed_VVD through_II my_APPGE mind_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 pursed_VVD my_APPGE lips_NN2 to_TO hide_VVI another_DD1 grin_NN1 and_CC allowed_VVD my_APPGE mind_NN1 to_TO wander_VVI back_RP ..._... 
Colonia_NP1 LeBaron_NP1 ,_, the_AT central_JJ gathering_NN1 place_NN1 for_IF the_AT members_NN2 of_IO our_APPGE church_NN1 ,_, nestled_VVD against_II the_AT hills_NN2 at_II the_AT north_ND1 end_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 cacti-covered_JJ desert_NN1 two_MC hundred_NNO miles_NNU2 south_ND1 of_IO El_NP1 Paso_NP1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ mid-April_NPM1 1968_MC ,_, and_CC the_AT Mexican_JJ sun_NN1 felt_VVD warm_JJ and_CC delicious_JJ as_CSA my_APPGE family_NN1 strolled_VVD up_II the_AT dusty_JJ road_NN1 toward_II the_AT whitewashed_JJ adobe_NN1 building_NN1 where_CS we_PPIS2 held_VVD Sunday_NPD1 services_NN2 ._. 
The_AT colony_NN1 's_GE dirt_NN1 roads_NN2 were_VBDR lined_VVN with_IW cottonwood_NN1 and_CC black_JJ walnut_NN1 trees_NN2 ._. 
Shiny_JJ new_JJ leaves_NN2 sparkled_VVD ,_, and_CC the_AT heady_JJ aroma_NN1 from_II the_AT fresh-cut_JJ alfalfa_NN1 fields_NN2 wafted_VVD toward_II us_PPIO2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 slowed_VVD my_APPGE steps_NN2 and_CC looked_VVD around_RP ,_, delight_NN1 and_CC excitement_NN1 bursting_VVG inside_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
The_AT colony_NN1 's_GE scattered_JJ adobe_NN1 dwellings_NN2 ,_, with_IW their_APPGE gardens_NN2 and_CC barns_NN2 and_CC water_NN1 towers_NN2 ,_, reflected_VVD prosperity_NN1 to_II me_PPIO1 today_RT ._. 
The_AT desert_NN1 valley_NN1 felt_VVD alive_JJ and_CC pulsed_VVD with_IW color_NN1 ;_; the_AT hills_NN2 above_II us_PPIO2 were_VBDR covered_VVN with_IW prickly_JJ pear_NN1 cacti_NN2 in_RR21 full_RR22 ,_, wine-colored_JJ bloom_NN1 ._. 
Everything_PN1 was_VBDZ in_II readiness_NN1 for_IF the_AT Lord_NP1 's_GE Sabbath_NN1 ,_, made_VVD special_JJ because_II21 of_II22 the_AT Prophet_NN1 Joel_NP1 LeBaron_NP1 ,_, leader_NN1 of_IO our_APPGE church_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD returned_VVN after_II a_AT1 lengthy_JJ absence_NN1 ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 would_VM speak_VVI to_II his_APPGE people_NN today_RT ._. 
The_AT soft_JJ morning_NNT1 air_NN1 held_VVD an_AT1 attitude_NN1 of_IO expectancy_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 glanced_VVD down_RP at_II my_APPGE new_JJ Sunday_NPD1 dress_NN1 and_CC carefully_RR smoothed_VVN the_AT pale_JJ pink_JJ material_NN1 ._. 
Undoubtedly_RR the_AT most_RGT beautiful_JJ dress_NN1 I_PPIS1 had_VHD ever_RR owned_VVN ,_, the_AT polished_JJ cotton_NN1 sleeves_NN2 were_VBDR puffed_JJ and_CC trimmed_VVN with_IW white_JJ lace_NN1 ._. 
The_AT wide_JJ sash_NN1 accented_VVD the_AT smallness_NN1 of_IO my_APPGE waist_NN1 ,_, while_CS a_AT1 white_JJ ,_, lace-trimmed_JJ collar_NN1 adorned_VVD the_AT neck_NN1 and_CC dipped_VVD daringly_RR low_JJ over_II the_AT swell_NN1 of_IO my_APPGE chest_NN1 --_NN1 so_RG low_JJ that_CST I_PPIS1 had_VHD anxiously_RR watched_VVN Mama_NN1 's_GE face_NN1 ,_, expecting_VVG her_APPGE disapproval_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 smiled_VVD though_RR ,_, and_CC told_VVD me_PPIO1 that_CST I_PPIS1 looked_VVD very_RG pretty_JJ ._. 
Even_RR now_RT her_APPGE unusual_JJ compliment_NN1 sang_VVD through_II my_APPGE mind_NN1 ._. 
"_" You_PPY look_VV0 lovely_JJ today_RT ,_, Susan_NP1 ,_, you_PPY really_RR do_VD0 ._. 
Pretty_JJ as_II a_AT1 flower_NN1 ._. "_" 
I_PPIS1 skipped_VVD a_AT1 step_NN1 and_CC grinned_VVD ,_, the_AT knowledge_NN1 heady_JJ and_CC powerful_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ pretty_JJ as_II the_AT desert_NN1 blossoms_NN2 around_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
Of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, any_DD girl_NN1 would_VM look_VVI good_JJ in_II this_DD1 dress_NN1 --_NN1 it_PPH1 was_VBDZ almost_RR brand-new_JJ ._. 
No_PN121 one_PN122 would_VM guess_VVI that_CST it_PPH1 came_VVD from_II the_AT sack_NN1 of_IO Salvation_NN1 Army_NN1 discards_VVZ my_APPGE father_NN1 had_VHD brought_VVN from_II the_AT States_NP1 ._. 
The_AT dress_NN1 had_VHD to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 mistake_NN1 ._. 
Someone_PN1 at_II the_AT Salvation_NN1 Army_NN1 store_NN1 had_VHD goofed_VVN ._. 
I_PPIS1 chuckled_VVD ,_, delighted_JJ at_II my_APPGE good_JJ fortune_NN1 ,_, and_CC then_RT glanced_VVD at_II Dad_NN1 ,_, noting_VVG how_RRQ his_APPGE short_JJ legs_NN2 stretched_VVD wide_JJ with_IW each_DD1 step_NN1 and_CC how_RRQ his_APPGE sharp_JJ blue_JJ eyes_NN2 blazed_VVD with_IW purpose_NN1 ._. 
Bald_JJ ,_, other_II21 than_II22 a_AT1 fringe_NN1 of_IO graying_VVG hair_NN1 circling_VVG his_APPGE head_NN1 ,_, at_II fifty-seven_MC Vern_NP1 Ray_NP1 was_VBDZ robust_JJ and_CC energetic_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 clung_VVD firmly_RR to_II his_APPGE faith_NN1 and_CC championed_VVD our_APPGE prophet_NN1 ,_, Joel_NP1 LeBaron_NP1 ,_, with_IW every_AT1 ounce_NNU1 of_IO his_APPGE vigor_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ only_RR six_MC when_RRQ Dad_NN1 moved_VVD my_APPGE mother_NN1 and_CC the_AT five_MC youngest_JJT of_IO their_APPGE nine_MC children_NN2 (_( the_AT ones_NN2 still_RR living_VVG at_II home_NN1 )_) away_II21 from_II22 Utah_NP1 and_CC the_AT traditional_JJ Mormon_JJ Church_NN1 ._. 
Without_IW a_AT1 backward_JJ glance_NN1 ,_, Vern_NP1 Ray_NP1 's_GE family_NN1 joined_VVD Joel_NP1 LeBaron_NP1 's_GE fledgling_JJ Church_NN1 of_IO the_AT Firstborn_NN1 in_II a_AT1 small_JJ colony_NN1 named_VVD Colonia_NP1 LeBaron_NP1 ,_, in_II the_AT Mexican_JJ state_NN1 of_IO Chihuahua_NP1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 became_VVD part_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 group_NN1 of_IO fundamentalist_JJ pioneers_NN2 who_PNQS ,_, contrary_II21 to_II22 the_AT mainstream_JJ Mormons_NN2 ,_, were_VBDR n't_XX afraid_JJ to_TO live_VVI the_AT teachings_NN2 of_IO Joseph_NP1 Smith_NP1 to_II their_APPGE fullness_NN1 ._. 
Like_II most_DAT of_IO the_AT men_NN2 of_IO the_AT Church_NN1 of_IO the_AT Firstborn_NN1 ,_, Dad_NN1 had_VHD heartily_RR embraced_VVN the_AT doctrine_NN1 of_IO polygamy_NN1 ._. 
My_APPGE mother_NN1 was_VBDZ past_II the_AT childbearing_NN1 age_NN1 ,_, but_CCB Dad_NN1 's_GE plural_JJ wife_NN1 ,_, Maria_NP1 ,_, thirty_MC years_NNT2 younger_JJR ,_, had_VHD given_VVN him_PPHO1 four_MC more_DAR children_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 foresaw_VVD more_RRR before_CS she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ through_RP ._. 
Her_APPGE dusky-colored_JJ daughters_NN2 flocked_VVD around_II her_PPHO1 ,_, their_APPGE black_JJ braids_NN2 and_CC dark_JJ eyes_NN2 in_II sharp_JJ contrast_NN1 to_II my_APPGE mother_NN1 's_GE blond_JJ ,_, blue-eyed_JJ family_NN1 ._. 
My_APPGE older_JJR brother_NN1 Jay_NP1 sauntered_VVD along_RP next_II21 to_II22 Dad_NN1 ._. 
Fara_NN1 and_CC Mona_NP1 ,_, my_APPGE two_MC younger_JJR sisters_NN2 ,_, walked_VVD on_II either_DD1 side_NN1 of_IO Mom_NN1 ._. 
My_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE two_MC wives_NN2 and_CC thirteen_MC children_NN2 were_VBDR his_APPGE greatest_JJT joy_NN1 and_CC his_APPGE chief_JJ triumph_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 would_VM be_VBI jewels_NN2 in_II his_APPGE crown_NN1 in_II heaven_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 noticed_VVD the_AT Prophet_NN1 as_CSA he_PPHS1 walked_VVD from_II his_APPGE first_MD wife_NN1 Magdalena_NP1 's_GE yard_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE long_JJ ,_, lean_JJ frame_NN1 swayed_VVN with_IW the_AT peculiar_JJ lumbering_JJ gait_NN1 common_JJ to_II all_DB five_MC LeBaron_NN1 men_NN2 --_NN1 the_AT brothers_NN2 who_PNQS had_VHD united_VVN to_TO be_VBI our_APPGE leaders_NN2 ._. 
Joel_NP1 's_GE reddish_JJ blond_JJ hair_NN1 rebelliously_RR stuck_VVN up_RP in_II the_AT back_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE dark_JJ green_JJ suit_NN1 hung_VVD limp_JJ ;_; his_APPGE thin_JJ shoulders_NN2 bowed_VVN with_IW the_AT weight_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE claim_NN1 of_IO being_VBG the_AT only_JJ true_JJ ,_, living_JJ prophet_NN1 of_IO God_NP1 on_II Earth_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 claimed_VVD to_TO be_VBI carrying_VVG the_AT unparalleled_JJ responsibility_NN1 of_IO readying_VVG the_AT world_NN1 for_IF Christ_NP1 's_GE Second_MD Coming_NN1 ,_, and_CC we_PPIS2 accepted_VVD his_APPGE claims_NN2 to_II such_DA divine_JJ inspiration_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB as_CSA Joel_NP1 rounded_VVD the_AT corner_NN1 ,_, walked_VVD over_II the_AT cattle_NN2 guard_VV0 ,_, and_CC entered_VVD the_AT churchyard_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 thought_VVD that_CST he_PPHS1 lacked_VVD the_AT majestic_JJ ,_, commanding_JJ qualities_NN2 a_AT1 prophet_NN1 should_VM possess_VVI ._. 
He_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX look_VVI like_II the_AT Moses_NP1 from_II the_AT movie_NN1 The_AT Ten_MC Commandments_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'd_VHD seen_VVN it_PPH1 twice_RR ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ secretly_RR disappointed_JJ in_II the_AT homely_JJ appearance_NN1 of_IO our_APPGE prophet_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX seem_VVI like_II a_AT1 religious_JJ leader_NN1 ,_, but_CCB more_RRR like_II a_AT1 sunburned_JJ ,_, poverty-stricken_JJ farmer_NN1 ._. 
Throughout_II the_AT colony_NN1 ,_, people_NN were_VBDR coming_VVG for_IF the_AT meeting_NN1 ,_, the_AT men_NN2 in_II their_APPGE Sunday_NP1 suits_VVZ ,_, the_AT women_NN2 in_II long_JJ ,_, ankle-length_JJ dresses_NN2 ,_, and_CC the_AT abundant_JJ numbers_NN2 of_IO children_NN2 scrubbed_VVN and_CC polished_VVN ._. 
I_PPIS1 waved_VVD at_II the_AT Leanys_NN2 ,_, who_PNQS noisily_RR hurried_VVN ahead_II21 of_II22 us_PPIO2 ._. 
The_AT two_MC Leany_NN1 boys_NN2 just_RR older_JJR than_CSN I_PPIS1 ran_VVD ahead_RL like_II wild_JJ goats_NN2 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 eyed_VVD them_PPHO2 with_IW secret_JJ contempt_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 still_RR acted_VVD like_II small_JJ ,_, rowdy_JJ children_NN2 ._. 
No_AT wonder_NN1 the_AT young_JJ ladies_NN2 of_IO the_AT church_NN1 were_VBDR attracted_VVN to_II our_APPGE older_JJR men_NN2 ._. 
Shading_VVG my_APPGE eyes_NN2 from_II the_AT bright_JJ sun_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 dawdled_VVD at_II the_AT crossroads_NN1 and_CC peered_VVD south_ND1 toward_II "_" Stubbsville_NP1 "_" where_CS Brother_NNB Stubbs_NP1 had_VHD settled_VVN with_IW his_APPGE two_MC large_JJ families_NN2 ._. 
My_APPGE eldest_JJT sister_NN1 Rose_VVD Ann_NP1 had_VHD married_VVN the_AT eldest_JJT Stubbs_NN1 boy_NN1 ,_, Harv_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS had_VHD built_VVN her_PPHO1 a_AT1 house_NN1 close_RR to_II his_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE clan_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB it_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX Rose_NP1 Ann_NP1 I_PPIS1 'd_VHD been_VBN anxious_JJ to_TO see_VVI ._. 
Fara_NN1 ,_, my_APPGE thirteen-year-old_JJ sister_NN1 had_VHD stopped_VVN and_CC whispered_VVN ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 'll_VM bet_VVI I_PPIS1 know_VV0 who_PNQS you_PPY 're_VBR looking_VVG for_IF ,_, but_CCB Estela_NP1 'll_VM be_VBI with_IW him_PPHO1 today_RT ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 wo_VM n't_XX let_VVI you_PPY near_VVI him_PPHO1 ._. 
Poor_JJ Sue_NP1 ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ so_RG sad_JJ !_! "_" 
I_PPIS1 made_VVD a_AT1 face_NN1 ,_, knowing_VVG she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ right_JJ ._. 
Lane_NN1 Stubbss_NN1 wife_NN1 ,_, Estela_NP1 ,_, was_VBDZ a_AT1 newcomer_NN1 to_II the_AT church_NN1 ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 still_RR balked_VVD against_II our_APPGE belief_NN1 that_CST husbands_NN2 had_VHD the_AT right_NN1 to_TO date_VVI and_CC marry_VVI other_JJ women_NN2 ,_, and_CC that_CST as_CSA men_NN2 of_IO the_AT Church_NN1 of_IO the_AT Firstborn_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 were_VBDR commanded_VVN by_II God_NP1 to_TO have_VHI more_DAR than_CSN one_MC1 wife_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 believed_VVD that_CST plural_JJ marriage_NN1 was_VBDZ one_MC1 of_IO the_AT most_RGT sacred_JJ revelations_NN2 God_NP1 gave_VVD to_II Joseph_NP1 Smith_NP1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 test_NN1 of_IO our_APPGE faith_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 requirement_NN1 for_IF our_APPGE ascent_NN1 into_II Celestial_JJ Glory_NN1 ,_, the_AT highest_JJT of_IO the_AT three_MC degrees_NN2 of_IO glory_NN1 in_II heaven_NN1 that_CST our_APPGE church_NN1 believed_VVD in_RP ._. 
Estela_NP1 did_VDD n't_XX understand_VVI this_DD1 ._. 
Although_CS polygamy_NN1 was_VBDZ practiced_VVN among_II Utah_NP1 's_GE Latter-day_JJ Saints_NN2 Mormons_NN2 for_IF more_DAR than_CSN fifty_MC years_NNT2 ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ made_VVN illegal_JJ in_II the_AT late_JJ nineteenth_MD century_NNT1 ,_, and_CC discarded_VVN as_II a_AT1 precondition_NN1 for_IF Utah_NP1 becoming_VVG a_AT1 state_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT practice_NN1 secretly_RR went_VVD on_RP ,_, and_CC a_AT1 number_NN1 of_IO "_" fundamentalist_JJ Mormon_JJ "_" churches_NN2 were_VBDR founded_VVN to_TO accommodate_VVI those_DD2 who_PNQS refused_VVD to_TO abandon_VVI what_DDQ they_PPHS2 considered_VVD the_AT "_" true_JJ faith_NN1 ._. "_" 
Our_APPGE Mormon_JJ doctrine_NN1 also_RR taught_VVN that_CST we_PPIS2 were_VBDR the_AT literal_JJ ,_, spirit-offspring_NN of_IO God_NP1 ,_, born_VVN first_MD in_II heaven_NN1 to_II heavenly_JJ Mothers_NN2 who_PNQS were_VBDR the_AT wives_NN2 of_IO God_NP1 the_AT Father_NN1 ._. 
In_BCL21 order_BCL22 for_IF our_APPGE spirits_NN2 to_TO obtain_VVI bodies_NN2 of_IO flesh_NN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 must_VM be_VBI born_VVN again_RT ,_, here_RL on_II earth_NN1 ._. 
Thus_RR ,_, we_PPIS2 members_NN2 of_IO God_NP1 's_GE True_JJ Church_NN1 needed_VVD to_TO save_VVI as_RG many_DA2 as_CSA possible_JJ of_IO his_APPGE spirit-children_NN2 from_II being_VBG born_VVN into_II worldly_JJ homes_NN2 ,_, to_II parents_NN2 who_PNQS did_VDD n't_XX live_VVI the_AT fullness_NN1 of_IO the_AT gospel_NN1 ._. 
Therefore_RR ,_, plural_JJ marriage_NN1 not_XX only_RR was_VBDZ a_AT1 test_NN1 for_IF the_AT righteous_JJ ;_; it_PPH1 also_RR provided_VVN a_AT1 way_NN1 for_IF each_DD1 man_NN1 to_TO create_VVI fleshly_RR bodies_NN2 for_IF large_JJ numbers_NN2 of_IO God_NP1 's_GE spirit-children_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ the_AT gospel_NN1 's_GE continuing_JJ revelations_NN2 ,_, from_II the_AT teachings_NN2 of_IO God_NP1 's_GE martyred_JJ prophet_NN1 ,_, Joseph_NP1 Smith_NP1 ,_, and_CC from_II the_AT mouth_NN1 of_IO the_AT man_NN1 we_PPIS2 believed_VVD to_TO be_VBI his_APPGE true_JJ successor_NN1 ,_, Joel_NP1 Le_NP1 Baron_NP1 ._. 
"_" Susan_NP1 ,_, dear_UH ._. "_" 
My_APPGE mother_NN1 interrupted_VVD my_APPGE thoughts_NN2 ._. 
"_" Take_VV0 Thelma_NP1 's_GE hand_NN1 and_CC watch_VV0 her_PPHO1 for_IF your_APPGE Mama_NN1 Maria_NP1 during_II church_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 's_VHZ got_VVN her_APPGE hands_NN2 full_JJ with_IW the_AT baby_NN1 ._. "_" 
Oh_UH ,_, no_UH !_! 
I_PPIS1 groaned_VVD inwardly_RR ,_, my_APPGE excitement_NN1 and_CC anticipation_NN1 about_II the_AT day_NNT1 's_GE possibilities_NN2 coming_VVG to_II an_AT1 abrupt_JJ halt_NN1 ._. 
Why_RRQ did_VDD it_PPH1 always_RR have_VHI to_TO be_VBI me_PPIO1 ?_? 
Angrily_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 grabbed_VVD my_APPGE three-year-old_JJ half-sister_NN1 's_GE chubby_JJ hand_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE mischievous_JJ black_JJ eyes_NN2 twinkled_VVD at_II me_PPIO1 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 groaned_VVD aloud_RR ._. 
"_" Gracias_FW ,_, Susana_NP1 ._. "_" 
Maria_NP1 smiled_VVD her_APPGE gratitude_NN1 ,_, then_RT added_VVD ,_, "_" Thelma_NP1 will_VM he_PPHS1 a_AT1 good_JJ girl_NN1 today_RT ,_, wo_VM n't_XX you_PPY Thelmita_NP1 ?_? "_" 
Fat_JJ chance_NN1 of_IO that_DD1 ,_, I_PPIS1 thought_VVD ,_, yanking_VVG Thelma_NP1 's_GE hand_NN1 and_CC pulling_VVG her_PPHO1 into_II the_AT dark_JJ interior_NN1 of_IO the_AT church_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 loved_VVD my_APPGE sisters_NN2 ,_, but_CCB I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ weary_JJ of_IO being_VBG the_AT built-in_JJ babysitter_NN1 ._. 
Soon_RR I_PPIS1 would_VM be_VBI married_JJ and_CC someone_PN1 else_RR could_VM have_VHI the_AT pleasure_NN1 ._. 
Fara_NN1 was_VBDZ only_RR a_AT1 year_NNT1 younger_JJR than_CSN I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 seemed_VVD she_PPHS1 should_VM also_RR help_VVI ._. 
But_CCB she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ such_DA a_AT1 scatterbrain_NN1 ,_, and_CC at_II fourteen_MC I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ the_AT oldest_JJT girl_NN1 at_II home_NN1 ,_, so_CS I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ expected_VVN to_TO babysit_VVI ._. 
Francisca_NP1 Widmar_NP1 ,_, my_APPGE closest_JJT friend_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ in_II our_APPGE usual_JJ spot_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 scooted_VVD down_RP the_AT bench_NN1 ,_, and_CC lifting_VVG Thelma_NP1 up_RP ,_, I_PPIS1 plopped_VVD her_PPHO1 little_RR behind_II firmly_RR on_II the_AT scat_NN1 between_II Franny_NP1 and_CC me_PPIO1 ._. 
"_" Now_RT ,_, do_VD0 n't_XX you_PPY dare_VVI move_NN1 !_! "_" 
I_PPIS1 hissed_VVD ._. 
Her_APPGE black_JJ eyes_NN2 ,_, shaped_VVD just_RR like_II my_APPGE blue_JJ ones_NN2 ,_, looked_VVD innocently_RR back_RP at_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
"_" Oh_UH ,_, great_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 see_VV0 you_PPY have_VHI the_AT little_JJ terror_NN1 again_RT ,_, "_" Franny_NP1 muttered_VVD ._. 
"_" And_CC I_PPIS1 guess_VV0 I_PPIS1 'm_VBM supposed_JJ to_TO hang_VVI on_RP to_II her_PPHO1 while_CS you_PPY play_VV0 the_AT hymns_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 guess_VV0 it_PPH1 wo_VM n't_XX kill_VVI me_PPIO1 ._. "_" 
I_PPIS1 whispered_VVD my_APPGE thanks_NN2 and_CC walked_VVD toward_II the_AT piano_NN1 in_II my_APPGE most_RGT ladylike_JJ fashion_NN1 ,_, sitting_VVG carefully_RR on_II the_AT edge_NN1 of_IO the_AT bench_NN1 ,_, just_RR as_CSA Grandma_NNB Maud_NP1 LeBaron_NP1 ,_, my_APPGE piano_NN1 teacher_NN1 and_CC mother_NN1 of_IO the_AT five_MC LeBaron_NN1 brothers_NN2 ,_, had_VHD taught_VVN me_PPIO1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 made_VVD sure_JJ my_APPGE hack_NN1 was_VBDZ straight_JJ and_CC my_APPGE knees_NN2 were_VBDR together_RL ;_; then_RT ,_, arranging_VVG the_AT skirt_NN1 of_IO my_APPGE new_JJ dress_NN1 to_TO billow_VVI perfectly_RR around_II me_PPIO1 ,_, I_PPIS1 opened_VVD the_AT hymnal_JJ and_CC began_VVD to_TO play_VVI ._. 
The_AT people_NN standing_VVG around_II the_AT room_NN1 visiting_VVG in_II little_JJ groups_NN2 took_VVD their_APPGE seats_NN2 ._. 
Returning_VVG to_II the_AT present_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 glanced_VVD up_RP for_IF a_AT1 moment_NN1 ._. 
On_II the_AT platform_NN1 behind_II the_AT pulpit_NN1 sat_VVD Brother_NNB Joel_NP1 ,_, his_APPGE legs_NN2 crossed_VVN at_II the_AT knees_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 Bible_NN1 opened_VVD on_II his_APPGE lap_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN away_II21 from_II22 Colonia_NP1 LeBaron_NP1 for_IF a_AT1 few_DA2 months_NNT2 ,_, and_CC his_APPGE followers_NN2 were_VBDR excited_VVN to_TO have_VHI him_PPHO1 home_RL ._. 
We_PPIS2 looked_VVD to_II him_PPHO1 to_TO lead_VVI us_PPIO2 to_II heaven_NN1 ._. 
Next_II21 to_II22 Joel_NP1 ,_, and_CC looking_VVG tanned_JJ and_CC elegant_JJ in_II a_AT1 white_JJ shirt_NN1 and_CC gray_JJ tie_NN1 sat_VVD our_APPGE church_NN1 patriarch_NN1 ,_, Ervil_NP1 LeBaron_NP1 ._. 
The_AT tallest_JJT of_IO the_AT five_MC lanky_JJ brothers_NN2 ,_, he_PPHS1 stood_VVD six_MC foot_NN1 five_MC ,_, and_CC every_AT1 inch_NNU1 of_IO him_PPHO1 exhibited_JJ self-assurance_NN1 and_CC an_AT1 electrifying_JJ magnetism_NN1 ._. 
Fascinated_JJ ,_, I_PPIS1 studied_VVD him_PPHO1 as_II the_AT congregation_NN1 finally_RR stood_VVD and_CC began_VVD singing_VVG the_AT opening_NN1 hymn_NN1 ._. 
Ervil_NP1 's_GE cool_JJ ,_, blue-gray_JJ eyes_NN2 roamed_VVD the_AT crowd_NN1 on_II the_AT hard_JJ wooden_JJ benches_NN2 --_NN1 the_AT very_JJ benches_NN2 my_APPGE Grandfather_NN1 Ray_NP1 had_VHD built_VVN before_II his_APPGE death_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE bold_JJ glare_NN1 hesitated_VVD ,_, sizing_VVG people_NN up_RP and_CC measuring_VVG their_APPGE abilities_NN2 and_CC their_APPGE weaknesses_NN2 ._. 
What_DDQ exactly_RR his_APPGE job_NN1 as_CSA patriarch_NN1 consisted_VVN of_IO ,_, I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX certain_JJ ,_, but_CCB I_PPIS1 did_VDD know_VVI that_CST he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 master_NN1 at_II preaching_VVG from_II the_AT books_NN2 that_CST our_APPGE church_NN1 considered_VVD scripture_NN1 ._. 
