Then Sup climbed the curtains Momma gave us. She shrieked, You're ungrateful! and huffed out. She came back later, asking us to forgive her. She said she wanted to help, since we're both still children. Well! I do wonder where we'll put the baby. Maybe on the couch. * * * * * _February 17, 1983_ I had to tell Bimmie I was letting them out. Sup fought with the dog next door. Bimmie got mad. He told me, They must have a controlled environment. I said, It's hard for me to bend over to clean up. Finally he said he'd clean up and wasn't it funny Sup and that dog knew they were rivals. I didn't know myself. * * * * * _March 17, 1983_ I saw Dr. Brantly today. He says I'm fine. I tried to remember him putting me in the trance, but I couldn't. * * * * * _April 19, 1983_ Saw Dr. Brantly. Sup pulled the curtains down. Susta isn't jealous any more, she's playing with a string. * * * * * _May 9, 1983_ I'm writing this next day. Last night I had this sharp pain. I said, Bimmie, call Dr. Brantly. I remember him looking at me funny. That's all I remember until I woke up in the hospital. Bimmie was sitting beside me, looking proud. I asked him, What's happened? He grinned. We have a nine-pound son, he said. I named him after the man who delivered him. I said, Did I faint? That wasn't the way it was explained, just that Dr. Brantly would put me in a trance. Bimmie was too busy grinning to say, then he had to go to work. The doctor came in. I said, It wasn't bad, I only felt one pain. He frowned. I said, Can I see the baby? He said, Later. He went out too. I thought I must have cussed. I didn't understand until the nurse brought the baby. He had a little plastic bracelet that said Bimford Fost, Jr. He was red and squalling. I felt like doing the same, because I knew why Bimmie had been studying those obstetrics books. He has to try everything! * * * * * _May 21, 1983_ I'm seventeen today. Bimmie says to write more. He thinks that's all I have to do. The baby sleeps all the time he isn't crying. I like him, only I'm tired of diapers. Susta gets three pills every day. She plays with them, then eats them. Bimmie said last night, It won't be long until my experiment bears fruit. He said to write that here. * * * * * _June 3, 1983_ Susta tried to climb the curtains. * * * * * _June 5, 1983_ Bimmie wanted to give the baby some pills he made. I said, No. He said, They'll make him smarter, woman. I said, He's enough trouble dumb. Today was our first anniversary. Bimmie wouldn't buy me anything. * * * * * _June 9, 1983_ We fought about a dryer. After he left I said, For that I'll let your animals out. The dog next door came up. Susta arched her back. * * * * *