She gave me sex for learning my ABCs

I am 53 years old and I am married. I have three children; all girls. Sometimes I wish that I had a son, but my girls are very good towards me. Their mother and I have been married for 20 years. When we met, I could hardly read, but before we got married, she taught me how to write my name.

So by the time the wedding day came, I was writing very well. Every night when I come home from work, I have to bathe and sit at the table and learn to read and write. Most people did not know that I was so illiterate.

I grew up with my mother and grandparents. My father left my mother when she was pregnant with me, so my grandmother took care of me as a baby while my mother went out to do day's work. My mother could not find my father. She told me that one day she was on a bus, on her way to Mandeville, and she saw him at the park. She called out to him twice and he turned around, but it didn't appear as if he knew who was calling him. She thought of coming off the bus, but she changed her mind.

My mother didn't know much about him because she never met anyone who was related to him.

My grandmother did not fuss with my mother. When my mother had me, she was only 18 years old. I barely went to school, but people say I am handsome. When I met my wife, she did not know I couldn't read, and when I broke the news to her, she told me that she would teach me how to read.

You may find it surprising to know that my wife works with the government, and any function that they have at her workplace, she was allowed to take me. Nobody knew that I could not read. Her coworkers call me "face boy."

Before we got married, my wife used to reward me by having sex with me. The nicest sex we had was when I was able to say my alphabet from beginning to end.

We have our own house. One of our daughters is married, but the other two are living at home and are working. My wife's relatives have been encouraging her to go to America, but she told them she is not leaving me. And I am not interested in leaving Jamaica to start over life. That is what I would have to do--start all over.

Big up my wife, Pastor. She is a great woman. I would always remember when I started to read your column on my own; you have helped me. Now I listen to you on the radio every night. I am running my own business. Continue to do great work. I will continue to listen to you and to read the good advice that you give.

C.D.

Dear C.D.,

I am not surprised to hear that you could not read when you met the woman who fell in love with you. Years ago, a beautiful lady came to see me and asked me if I would officiate at her wedding. I told her I would be happy to do so. She made an appointment to see me again and to bring the groom. They sat with me and I went over a number of things with them. The date was fixed and I had them sign the document that I needed to post the banns.

The woman signed the paper and he also signed. It was after everything was arranged and the wedding took place, that the bride told me that her husband could not read. I told her that she was not speaking the truth because the man signed the document. The banns were published and on the wedding day he signed the certificate. She said yes, he was able to do so because she, who is a school teacher, taught him how to write his name. For days he practised and he did it very well. So I am not surprised that you found a woman who taught you to read and write and you have done very well.

Your wife did not only teach you to write your name, but she went beyond that. I am assuming that you penned this letter on your own--congratulations. Continue to love your wife and your children.

Relatives sometimes encourage other relatives to join them in North America and elsewhere, but if you are doing well in Jamaica, don't give up your job to go abroad and start over again, as you put it.

Thank you, my friend, for writing. Let me hear from you again.

Pastor