Til Death Do Us Part
A Marriage Survives The Stress Of Military Life
by
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In the summer of 1974, in Bibb, Georgia, a pretty, brown-skinned African-American girl named Virginia Cottingham, and her mother lived with her grandparents. Mrs. Cottingham had legally separated from her husband. That summer at the town's bowling alley, Virginia met a young Black guy named Carlos Slaughter. Rose, Virginia's, pretty long-haired friend also was at the bowling alley with other friends. Rose stayed close to her boyfriend Curtis, while, the rest of the girls talked among themselves. Slaughter approached Virginia and laid one of his strongest raps on the 5 feet 4 inch seventeen year old. Virginia, however, was reluctant to talk or give any information to him. So Slaughter temporarily gave up the hunt. That is until he overheard Virginia and her friends moaned about being short 75 cents for a bucket of chicken that they wanted to take with them to Tobesokee Lake. Slaughter quickly offered to give them the seventy five cents in exchange for Virginia's telephone number. Virginia still refuse to give out her telephone number to Slaughter, who at 5 feet 6 inches was only two inches taller than Virginia. Despite his height Slaughter had a way with women. He had bow-legs, a gap in his upper front tooth, sported a small afro, and had a charming personality. Slaughter insisted, saying, "no number, no money." Rose pulled Virginia aside and pleaded with her to give the guy her number. Saying, "We need the seventy five cents for the chicken. So what if you don't like him. You can feed him a line of lies when he calls you." Giving up, Virginia walked over to Slaughter and gave him her phone number in exchange for the seventy five cents. The girls then brought the chicken and headed out to the lake. Two days later Virginia received a phone call from Slaughter who has had the eyes for Virginia for a long time. He knew that she wasn't dating anyone because he was dating the cousin of the last guy that she dated. Slaughter had the inside story on Virginia's relationship with Teddy. A guy she had dated for three years before breaking off the relationship. "What's up with you Virginia." "Nothing, I was just sitting here looking at television." Mrs. Cottingham (Virginia's mother), yelled from the bedroom, "Who's on the phone." "It's for me, Mom, " said Virginia. "So tell me Virginia," said Slaughter, "how did it go at the lake." "Oh we had a wonderful time." "I started to come," said Slaughter, "but I didn't want to crash the party since I didn't have a personal invitation." "You were welcome to come if you wanted too." "Yeah, well that wasn't the impression that I got from you at the bowling alley," Slaughter said. "Well I'm sorry if I gave you that impression, but I usually don't give out my phone number to strangers," said Virginia. "Well I guess I'm just going to have to change that," Slaughter said in his most charming voice.
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About the Book
The summer of 1975 reveals the relationship of two black teenagers (Carlos Slaughter and Virginia Cottingham) who go from friends, to lovers, to holy matrimony. Teddy, her previous lover, returns to town with intentions to recapture his relationship with Virginia, but finds Virginia is engaged to be married to Slaughter. Teddy, furious with this news, confronts Slaughter. Slaughter and Virginia’s relationship is on shaky ground when Virginia suspects Slaughter have cheated on her. Virginia asks Ellie to be her matron of honor. Slaughter and Virginia are married. Virginia confirms her pregnancy, and Slaughter joins the army. Larry (a friend of Virginia’s) has a serious crush on Virginia and pretends to like Sheila (Slaughter’s sister), when he really likes Virginia, seeking to captivate Virginia’s heart. Slaughter gets drunk and has a one-night-stand with Judy. The marital infidelity unfolds. Virginia gives birth, and Slaughter discovers that Larry has feelings for Virginia and takes his family to his first duty station in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. Slaughter has been contacted to testify in a former drill sergeant’s trial. Virginia discovers Judy’s letters. Virginia confronts Slaughter about Judy. Slaughter threatens to shoot Iris, his neighbor. Slaughter is assigned to Germany. Priscilla and Hillary (Virginia’s girlfriends), battle over Priscilla’s involvement with Hillary’s husband, and Mrs. Connors’ husband finds her with another soldier. Slaughter discovers Virginia’s exposure to drugs and alcohol.
About the Author
Viranda Irene Nottingham-Slappy, was born June 27, 1957 in Macon, Georgia, the daughter of the late Willie James Nottingham, SR. and Viriam Purnell Bowman. A graduate of, Northeast High School and Los Angeles Community College, she has Associate Degree, General Studies with a concentration in Business Management. She is also a Graduate of Central Texas College, Fort Riley, Kansas. She is an Office Automation Military Personnel Assistant employed with Department of Defense, United States Army Civil Service, 1st Personnel Service Battalion of Fort Riley, Kansas. She is the wife of John Cecil Slappy, Sr., retired soldier from the United States Army and now an employee of the Department of Defense Civil Service employee at Fort Riley, Kansas. She is the mother of two children and one grandson. One child, Zsashamica Demetricus Slappy, is a graduate of Fort Hays State University, and holds a Bachelor’s of Arts as well as a Master of Science. She is also an employee of University of Kansas, located in Lawrence, Kansas. She is the grandmother of Gevon John Kimbel Slappy. She is also the sibling of Willie James Nottingham, Jr., Patricia Ann Fenelle and Michael Allen Nottingham, all residence of Macon, Georgia. She is currently residing in Junction City, Kansas. In her leisure time, she is an active member and Past Matron of St. Tabitha Chapter, Order of Eastern Stars, member of Heriones of Jericho, Daughter of Isis and Cyrenes of Prince Hall Affiliation, Free and Accepted Masonry, of Kansas Jurisdiction. Her religion is Baptist, member of Second Missionary Baptist Church, Junction City, Kansas and as well as New Home Baptist Church, Macon, Georgia.