It doesn't show. Frankie winked at me. * * * * * _September 17, 1982_ The cat climbed those lace curtains Bimmie's mother gave us. Bimmie said it was my job to watch him. I said, That's a stupid way to spend my life. He said, I didn't marry you to have you sit around and do nothing. Susta watched Sup and whined. She wants to be a cat. * * * * * _September 27, 1982_ Bimmie read my diary. He said there wasn't a June 31. He says to tell more about his work. It won't make money if he's not in it. I told him about the baby. He said, Whoopee! He got some obstetrics books. * * * * * _October 5, 1982_ Bimmie expects the baby to kick already. I'm glad it doesn't! He made the puppy's pills tonight. * * * * * _October 7, 1982_ I let them outside. The smell in the house turns my stomach. I'm afraid to take the pills Bimmie made me. * * * * * _October 9, 1982_ I let them out again. There's a black dog next door with a long nose, ears like rosebuds and white feet. Susta was scared. Sup hissed. * * * * * _October 25, 1982_ Bimmie's so nice. He took me to a tridiversion. He hates them. He said, They're for the cloddy-minded masses. I said, Well, what are we? I want a tridiversion wall. Bimmie says, No. We had a fight. * * * * * _October 30, 1982_ I took a pill Bimmie made. I felt good. I let them out. It beats cleaning up. Susta played with that dog. * * * * * _November 7, 1982_ I went to Dr. Brantly. He hypnotized me. I don't remember it. * * * * * _December 13, 1982_ Susta's leaving spots. I thought, She's hurt. Bimmie explained and said, Don't let her out. He wants to wait till next time to have puppies. He said, The treatment must take full effect first. He explained but I didn't understand. * * * * * _January 5, 1983_ I'm out of school. It's boring. Momma says I'm too young to settle down. She's crazy. I'm sixteen. * * * * * _January 11, 1983_ Bimmie's reading more obstetrics books. Hypnotism too. He tried to hypnotize me, but I went to sleep. * * * * * _January 14, 1983_ I wish Momma would stop. She said, Where're you going to put a baby, with only one bedroom. She cried and called me Baby. Gosh! She said, You shouldn't have cats around babies, you'll have to give him away. Bimmie heard, from the bedroom. He came out. He said, I am conducting an important scientific experiment with the cat and dog. I would as soon give away the baby. Momma got white under her plasti-skin. She said, Bimmie, you're a monster for experimenting on dumb animals. And for rejecting your own child.