The_AT Help_NN1 MAE_NP1 MOBLEY_NP1 was_VBDZ born_VVN on_II a_AT1 early_JJ Sunday_NPD1 morning_NNT1 in_II August_NPM1 ,_, 1960_MC ._. 
A_AT1 church_NN1 baby_NN1 we_PPIS2 like_VV0 to_TO call_VVI it_PPH1 ._. 
Taking_VVG care_NN1 a_AT1 white_JJ babies_NN2 ,_, that_DD1 's_VBZ what_DDQ I_PPIS1 do_VD0 ,_, along_II21 with_II22 all_DB the_AT cooking_NN1 and_CC the_AT cleaning_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 done_VDN raised_JJ seventeen_MC kids_NN2 in_II my_APPGE lifetime_NNT1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 know_VV0 how_RRQ to_TO get_VVI them_PPHO2 babies_NN2 to_TO sleep_VVI ,_, stop_VV0 crying_NN1 ,_, and_CC go_VVI in_II the_AT toilet_NN1 bowl_NN1 before_CS they_PPHS2 mamas_NN2 even_RR get_VV0 out_RP a_AT1 bed_NN1 in_II the_AT morning_NNT1 ._. 
But_CCB I_ZZ1 ai_FU n't_XX never_RR seen_VVN a_AT1 baby_NN1 yell_NN1 like_II Mae_NP1 Mobley_NP1 Leefolt_NP1 ._. 
First_MD day_NNT1 I_PPIS1 walk_VV0 in_II the_AT door_NN1 ,_, there_RL she_PPHS1 be_VBI ,_, red-hot_JJ and_CC hollering_VVG with_IW the_AT colic_JJ ,_, fighting_VVG that_DD1 bottle_NN1 like_II it_PPH1 's_VBZ a_AT1 rotten_JJ turnip_NN1 ._. 
Miss_NNB Leefolt_NP1 ,_, she_PPHS1 look_VV0 terrified_VVN a_AT1 her_APPGE own_DA child_NN1 ._. 
"_" What_DDQ am_VBM I_PPIS1 doing_VDG wrong_JJ ?_? 
Why_RRQ ca_VM n't_XX I_PPIS1 stop_VVI it_PPH1 ?_? "_" 
It_PPH1 ?_? 
That_DD1 was_VBDZ my_APPGE first_MD hint_NN1 :_: something_PN1 is_VBZ wrong_JJ with_IW this_DD1 situation_NN1 ._. 
So_RR I_PPIS1 took_VVD that_DD1 pink_JJ ,_, screaming_VVG baby_NN1 in_II my_APPGE arms_NN2 ._. 
Bounced_VVD her_PPHO1 on_II my_APPGE hip_NN1 to_TO get_VVI the_AT gas_NN1 moving_VVG and_CC it_PPH1 did_VDD n't_XX take_VVI two_MC minutes_NNT2 fore_JJ Baby_NN1 Girl_NN1 stopped_VVD her_APPGE crying_NN1 ,_, got_VVN to_II smiling_VVG up_RP at_II me_PPIO1 like_CS she_PPHS1 do_VD0 ._. 
But_CCB Miss_NNB Leefolt_NP1 ,_, she_PPHS1 do_VD0 n't_XX pick_VVI up_RP her_APPGE own_DA baby_NN1 for_IF the_AT rest_NN1 a_AT1 the_AT day_NNT1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 seen_VVD plenty_RR a_AT1 womens_NN2 get_VV0 the_AT baby_NN1 blues_NN2 after_CS they_PPHS2 done_VDN birthing_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 reckon_VV0 I_PPIS1 thought_VVD that_DD1 's_VBZ what_DDQ it_PPH1 was_VBDZ ._. 
Here_RL 's_VBZ something_PN1 about_II Miss_NNB Leefolt_NP1 :_: she_PPHS1 not_XX just_RR frowning_VVG all_DB the_AT time_NNT1 ,_, she_PPHS1 skinny_JJ ._. 
Her_APPGE legs_NN2 is_VBZ so_RG spindly_JJ ,_, she_PPHS1 look_VV0 like_CS she_PPHS1 done_VDN growed_JJ em_FU last_MD week_NNT1 ._. 
Twenty-three_MC years_NNT2 old_JJ and_CC she_PPHS1 lanky_JJ as_II a_AT1 fourteen-year-old_JJ boy_NN1 ._. 
Even_RR her_APPGE hair_NN1 is_VBZ thin_JJ ,_, brown_JJ ,_, see-through_JJ ._. 
She_PPHS1 try_VV0 to_TO tease_VVI it_PPH1 up_RP ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 only_RR make_VV0 it_PPH1 look_VVI thinner_JJR ._. 
Her_APPGE face_NN1 be_VBI the_AT same_DA shape_NN1 as_CSA that_DD1 red_JJ devil_NN1 on_II the_AT redhot_NN1 candy_NN1 box_NN1 ,_, pointy_JJ chin_NN1 and_CC all_DB ._. 
Fact_NN1 ,_, her_APPGE whole_JJ body_NN1 be_VBI so_RG full_JJ a_AT1 sharp_JJ knobs_NN2 and_CC corners_NN2 ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ no_AT wonder_NN1 she_PPHS1 ca_VM n't_XX soothe_VVI that_DD1 baby_NN1 ._. 
Babies_NN2 like_II fat_NN1 ._. 
Like_VV0 to_TO bury_VVI they_PPHS2 face_VV0 up_RP in_II you_PPY armpit_NN1 and_CC go_VV0 to_II sleep_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 like_VV0 big_JJ fat_JJ legs_NN2 too_RR ._. 
That_CST I_PPIS1 know_VV0 ._. 
By_II the_AT time_NNT1 she_PPHS1 a_AT1 year_NNT1 old_JJ ,_, Mae_NP1 Mobley_NP1 following_VVG me_PPIO1 around_RP everwhere_RR I_PPIS1 go_VV0 ._. 
Five_MC o'clock_RA would_VM come_VVI round_RP and_CC she_PPHS1 'd_VM be_VBI hanging_VVG on_RP my_APPGE Dr._NNB Scholl_NP1 shoe_NN1 ,_, dragging_VVG over_II the_AT floor_NN1 ,_, crying_VVG like_II I_ZZ1 were_VBDR n't_XX never_RR coming_VVG back_RP ._. 
Miss_NNB Leefolt_NP1 ,_, she_PPHS1 'd_VHD narrow_JJ up_II her_APPGE eyes_NN2 at_II me_PPIO1 like_CS I_PPIS1 done_VDN something_PN1 wrong_JJ ,_, unhitch_VV0 that_DD1 crying_NN1 baby_NN1 off_II my_APPGE foot_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 reckon_VV0 that_DD1 's_VBZ the_AT risk_NN1 you_PPY run_VV0 ,_, letting_VVG somebody_PN1 else_RR raise_VVI you_PPY chilluns_NN2 ._. 
Mae_NP1 Mobley_NP1 two_MC years_NNT2 old_JJ now_RT ._. 
She_PPHS1 got_VVD big_JJ brown_JJ eyes_NN2 and_CC honey-color_JJ curls_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT bald_JJ spot_NN1 in_II the_AT back_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE hair_NN1 kind_NN1 a_AT1 throw_NN1 things_NN2 off_RP ._. 
She_PPHS1 get_VV0 the_AT same_DA wrinkle_NN1 between_II her_APPGE eyebrows_NN2 when_RRQ she_PPHS1 worried_VVD ,_, like_II her_APPGE mama_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 kind_NN1 a_AT1 favor_NN1 except_II Mae_NP1 Mobley_NP1 so_RG fat_JJ ._. 
She_PPHS1 ai_FU n't_XX gone_VVN be_VBI no_AT beauty_NN1 queen_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 think_VV0 it_PPH1 bother_VV0 Miss_NNB Leefolt_NP1 ,_, but_CCB Mae_NP1 Mobley_NP1 my_APPGE special_JJ baby_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 LOST_VVD MY_APPGE OWN_DA BOY_NN1 ,_, Treelore_NP1 ,_, right_RR before_CS I_PPIS1 started_VVD waiting_VVG on_II Miss_NNB Leefolt_NP1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ twenty-four_MC years_NNT2 old_JJ ._. 
The_AT best_JJT part_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 person_NN1 's_GE life_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 just_RR was_VBDZ n't_XX enough_DD time_NNT1 living_VVG in_II this_DD1 world_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD him_PPHO1 a_AT1 little_JJ apartment_NN1 over_RP on_II Foley_NP1 Street_NNL1 ._. 
Seeing_VVG a_AT1 real_JJ nice_JJ girl_NN1 name_NN1 Frances_NP1 and_CC I_MC1 spec_NN1 they_PPHS2 was_VBDZ gone_VVN get_VV0 married_VVN ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ slow_JJ bout_NN1 things_NN2 like_II that_DD1 ._. 
Not_XX cause_VV0 he_PPHS1 looking_VVG for_IF something_PN1 better_RRR ,_, just_RR cause_VV0 he_PPHS1 the_AT thinking_NN1 kind_NN1 ._. 
Wore_VVD big_JJ glasses_NN2 and_CC reading_VVG all_DB the_AT time_NNT1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 even_RR start_VV0 writing_VVG his_APPGE own_DA book_NN1 ,_, bout_NN1 being_VBG a_AT1 colored_JJ man_NN1 living_NN1 and_CC working_VVG in_II Mississippi_NP1 ._. 
Law_NN1 ,_, that_CST made_VVD me_PPIO1 proud_JJ ._. 
But_CCB one_MC1 night_NNT1 he_PPHS1 working_VVG late_RR at_II the_AT Scanlon-Taylor_NP1 mill_NN1 ,_, lugging_JJ two-by-fours_MC2 to_II the_AT truck_NN1 ,_, splinters_NN2 slicing_VVG all_DB the_AT way_NN1 through_II the_AT glove_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 too_RG small_JJ for_IF that_DD1 kind_NN1 a_AT1 work_NN1 ,_, too_RG skinny_JJ ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 needed_VVD the_AT job_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ tired_JJ ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ raining_VVG ._. 
He_PPHS1 slip_VV0 off_RP the_AT loading_NN1 dock_NN1 ,_, fell_VVD down_RP on_II the_AT drive_NN1 ._. 
Tractor_NN1 trailer_NN1 did_VDD n't_XX see_VVI him_PPHO1 and_CC crushed_VVD his_APPGE lungs_NN2 fore_RR he_PPHS1 could_VM move_VVI ._. 
By_II the_AT time_NNT1 I_PPIS1 found_VVD out_RP ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ dead_JJ ._. 
That_DD1 was_VBDZ the_AT day_NNT1 my_APPGE whole_JJ world_NN1 went_VVD black_JJ ._. 
Air_NN1 look_VV0 black_JJ ,_, sun_NN1 look_NN1 black_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 laid_VVD up_RP in_II bed_NN1 and_CC stared_VVD at_II the_AT black_JJ walls_NN2 a_AT1 my_APPGE house_NN1 ._. 
Minny_NP1 came_VVD ever_RR day_NNT1 to_TO make_VVI sure_JJ I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ still_RR breathing_VVG ,_, feed_VV0 me_PPIO1 food_NN1 to_TO keep_VVI me_PPIO1 living_VVG ._. 
Took_VVD three_MC months_NNT2 fore_RR I_PPIS1 even_RR look_VV0 out_RP the_AT window_NN1 ,_, see_VV0 if_CSW the_AT world_NN1 still_RR there_RL ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ surprise_NN1 to_TO see_VVI the_AT world_NN1 did_VDD n't_XX stop_VVI just_RR cause_VV0 my_APPGE boy_NN1 did_VDD ._. 
Five_MC months_NNT2 after_II the_AT funeral_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 lifted_VVD myself_PPX1 up_RP out_RP a_AT1 bed_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 put_VV0 on_RP my_APPGE white_JJ uniform_NN1 and_CC put_VVD my_APPGE little_JJ gold_NN1 cross_VV0 back_RP around_II my_APPGE neck_NN1 and_CC I_PPIS1 went_VVD to_TO wait_VVI on_II Miss_NNB Leefolt_NP1 cause_VV0 she_PPHS1 just_RR have_VH0 her_APPGE baby_NN1 girl_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB it_PPH1 were_VBDR n't_XX too_RG long_JJ before_CS I_PPIS1 seen_VVN something_PN1 in_II me_PPIO1 had_VHD changed_VVN ._. 
A_AT1 bitter_JJ seed_NN1 was_VBDZ planted_VVN inside_II a_AT1 me_PPIO1 ._. 
And_CC I_PPIS1 just_RR did_VDD n't_XX feel_VVI so_RR accepting_VVG anymore_RR ._. 
THE_AT SUMMER_NNT1 rolls_NN2 behind_II us_PPIO2 like_II a_AT1 hot_JJ tar_NN1 spreader_NN1 ._. 
Ever_RR colored_JJ person_NN1 in_II Jackson_NP1 gets_VVZ in_II front_NN1 a_AT1 whatever_DDQV tee-vee_NN1 set_VVD they_PPHS2 can_VM find_VVI ,_, watches_VVZ Martin_NP1 Luther_NP1 King_NN1 stand_NN1 in_II our_APPGE nation_NN1 's_GE capital_NN1 and_CC tell_VV0 us_PPIO2 he_PPHS1 's_VHZ got_VVN a_AT1 dream_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM in_II the_AT church_NN1 basement_NN1 watching_VVG ._. 
Our_APPGE own_DA Reverend_NNB Johnson_NP1 went_VVD up_RP there_RL to_TO march_VVI and_CC I_PPIS1 find_VV0 myself_PPX1 scanning_VVG the_AT crowd_NN1 for_IF his_APPGE face_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 ca_VM n't_XX believe_VVI so_RG many_DA2 peoples_NN2 is_VBZ there_EX --_JJ two-hundred-fifty_MC thousand_NNO ._. 
And_CC the_AT ringer_NN1 is_VBZ ,_, sixty_MC thousand_NNO a_AT1 them_PPHO2 is_VBZ white_JJ ._. 
"_" Mississippi_NP1 and_CC the_AT world_NN1 is_VBZ two_MC very_RG different_JJ places_NN2 ,_, "_" the_AT Deacon_NN1 say_VV0 and_CC we_PPIS2 all_DB nod_VV0 cause_VV0 ai_FU n't_XX it_PPH1 the_AT truth_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 get_VV0 through_II August_NPM1 and_CC September_NPM1 and_CC ever_RR time_NNT1 I_PPIS1 see_VV0 Miss_NNB Skeeter_NP1 ,_, she_PPHS1 look_VV0 thinner_JJR ,_, a_RR21 little_RR22 more_RGR skittish_JJ in_II the_AT eyes_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 try_VV0 to_TO smile_VVI like_II it_PPH1 ai_FU n't_XX that_RG hard_RR on_II her_PPHO1 that_CST she_PPHS1 ai_FU n't_XX got_VVN no_AT friends_NN2 left_VVD ._. 
In_II October_NPM1 ,_, Miss_VV0 Hilly_JJ sets_NN2 at_II Miss_NNB Leefolt_NP1 's_GE dining_NN1 room_NN1 table_NN1 ._. 
Miss_NNB Leefolt_NP1 so_RG pregnant_JJ she_PPHS1 ca_VM n't_XX barely_RR focus_VVI her_APPGE eyes_NN2 ._. 
Meanwhile_RR ,_, Miss_VV0 Hilly_JJ got_VVD a_AT1 big_JJ fur_NN1 around_II her_APPGE neck_NN1 even_CS21 though_CS22 it_PPH1 's_VBZ sixty_MC degrees_NN2 outside_RL ._. 
She_PPHS1 stick_VV0 her_APPGE pinky_NN1 out_RP from_II her_APPGE tea_NN1 glass_NN1 and_CC say_VV0 ,_, "_" Skeeter_NP1 thought_VVD she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ so_RG clever_JJ ,_, dumping_VVG all_DB those_DD2 toilets_NN2 in_II my_APPGE front_JJ yard_NN1 ._. 
Well_RR ,_, they_PPHS2 're_VBR working_VVG out_RP just_RR fine_JJ ._. 
We_PPIS2 've_VH0 already_RR installed_VVN three_MC of_IO them_PPHO2 in_II people_NN 's_GE garages_NN2 and_CC sheds_NN2 ._. 
Even_RR William_NP1 said_VVD it_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 blessing_NN1 in_II disguise_NN1 ._. "_" 
I_ZZ1 ai_FU n't_XX gone_VVN tell_VV0 Miss_NNB Skeeter_NP1 this_DD1 ._. 
That_CST she_PPHS1 ended_VVD up_RP supporting_VVG the_AT cause_NN1 she_PPHS1 fighting_VVG against_II ._. 
But_CCB then_RT I_PPIS1 see_VV0 it_PPH1 do_VDI n't_XX matter_NN1 cause_NN1 Miss_VV0 Hilly_JJ say_NN1 ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 decided_VVD I_PPIS1 'd_VM write_VVI Skeeter_NN1 a_AT1 thank-you_NN1 note_NN1 last_MD night_NNT1 ._. 
Told_VVD her_PPHO1 how_RRQ she_PPHS1 's_VBZ helped_VVN move_VVI the_AT project_NN1 along_II faster_JJR than_CSN it_PPH1 ever_RR would_VM 've_VHI gone_VVN ._. "_" 
WITH_IW Miss_NN1 LEEFOLT_VV0 SO_RG BUSY_JJ making_NN1 clothes_NN2 for_IF the_AT new_JJ baby_NN1 ,_, Mae_NP1 Mobley_NP1 and_CC me_PPIO1 spend_NN1 pretty_RG much_DA1 ever_RR minute_VV0 a_AT1 the_AT day_NNT1 together_RL ._. 
She_PPHS1 getting_VVG too_RG big_JJ for_IF me_PPIO1 to_TO carry_VVI her_PPHO1 all_DB the_AT time_NNT1 ,_, or_CC maybe_RR I_PPIS1 'm_VBM too_RG big_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 try_VV0 and_CC give_VV0 her_PPHO1 a_RR21 lot_RR22 a_AT1 good_JJ squeezes_NN2 instead_RR ._. 
"_" Come_VV0 tell_VV0 me_PPIO1 my_APPGE secret_JJ story_NN1 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 whisper_VV0 ,_, smiling_VVG so_RG big_JJ ._. 
She_PPHS1 always_RR want_VV0 her_APPGE secret_JJ story_NN1 now_RT ,_, first_MD thing_NN1 when_CS I_PPIS1 get_VV0 in_RP ._. 
The_AT secret_JJ stories_NN2 are_VBR the_AT ones_NN2 I_PPIS1 be_VBI making_VVG up_RP ._. 
But_CCB then_RT Miss_NNB Leefolt_NP1 come_VV0 in_RP with_IW her_APPGE purse_NN1 on_II her_APPGE arm_NN1 ,_, ready_JJ to_TO leave_VVI ._. 
"_" Mae_NP1 Mobley_NP1 ,_, I_PPIS1 'm_VBM leaving_VVG now_RT ._. 
Come_VV0 give_VV0 Mama_NN1 a_AT1 big_JJ hug_NN1 ._. "_" 
But_CCB Mae_NP1 Mobley_NP1 do_VD0 n't_XX move_VVI ._. 
Miss_NNB Leefolt_NP1 ,_, she_PPHS1 got_VVD a_AT1 hand_NN1 on_II her_APPGE hip_NN1 ,_, waiting_VVG for_IF her_APPGE sugar_NN1 ._. 
"_" Go_VV0 on_RP ,_, Mae_NP1 Mobley_NP1 ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 whisper_VV0 ._. 
I_PPIS1 nudge_VV0 her_PPHO1 and_CC she_PPHS1 go_VV0 hug_VV0 her_APPGE mama_NN1 real_JJ hard_JJ ,_, kinda_RR desperate-like_JJ ,_, but_CCB Miss_NNB Leefolt_NP1 ,_, she_PPHS1 already_RR looking_VVG in_II her_APPGE purse_NN1 for_IF her_APPGE keys_NN2 ,_, kind_NN1 a_AT1 wiggle_NN1 off_RP ._. 
It_PPH1 do_VD0 n't_XX seem_VVI to_TO bother_VVI Mae_NP1 Mobley_NP1 so_RG much_DA1 ,_, though_CS ,_, like_II it_PPH1 used_VVD to_II ,_, and_CC that_DD1 's_VBZ what_DDQ I_PPIS1 ca_VM n't_XX hardly_RR look_VVI at_II ._. 
"_" Come_VV0 on_RP ,_, Aibee_NP1 ,_, "_" Mae_NP1 Mobley_NP1 say_VV0 to_II me_PPIO1 after_II her_APPGE mama_NN1 gone_VVN ._. 
"_" Time_NNT1 for_IF my_APPGE secret_JJ story_NN1 ._. "_" 
We_PPIS2 go_VV0 on_RP in_II her_APPGE room_NN1 ,_, where_CS we_PPIS2 like_VV0 to_TO set_VVI ._. 
I_PPIS1 get_VV0 up_RP in_II the_AT big_JJ chair_NN1 and_CC she_PPHS1 get_VV0 up_RP on_II me_PPIO1 and_CC smile_NN1 ,_, bounce_VV0 a_RR21 little_RR22 ._. 
"_" Tell_VV0 me_PPIO1 ,_, tell_VV0 me_PPIO1 bout_NN1 the_AT brown_JJ wrapping_NN1 ._. 
And_CC the_AT present_NN1 ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 so_RR excited_JJ ,_, she_PPHS1 squirming_VVG ._. 
She_PPHS1 has_VHZ to_TO jump_VVI off_RP my_APPGE lap_NN1 ,_, squirm_VV0 a_RR21 little_RR22 to_TO get_VVI it_PPH1 out_RP ._. 
Then_RT she_PPHS1 crawl_VV0 back_RP up_RP ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ her_APPGE favorite_JJ story_NN1 cause_NN1 when_CS I_PPIS1 tell_VV0 it_PPH1 ,_, she_PPHS1 get_VV0 two_MC presents_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 take_VV0 the_AT brown_JJ wrapping_NN1 from_II my_APPGE Piggly_NP1 Wiggly_NP1 grocery_NN1 bag_NN1 and_CC wrap_VV0 up_RP a_RR21 little_RR22 something_PN1 ,_, like_II piece_NN1 a_AT1 candy_NN1 ,_, inside_RL ._. 
Then_RT I_PPIS1 use_VV0 the_AT white_JJ paper_NN1 from_II my_APPGE Cole_NP1 's_GE Drug_NN1 Store_NN1 bag_NN1 and_CC wrap_VV0 another_DD1 one_PN1 just_RR like_II it_PPH1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 take_VV0 it_PPH1 real_JJ serious_JJ ,_, the_AT unwrapping_NN1 ,_, letting_VVG me_PPIO1 tell_VVI the_AT story_NN1 bout_NN1 how_RRQ it_PPH1 ai_FU n't_XX the_AT color_NN1 a_AT1 the_AT wrapping_NN1 that_CST count_VV0 ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ what_DDQ we_PPIS2 is_VBZ inside_RL ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 doing_VDG a_AT1 different_JJ story_NN1 today_RT ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 say_VV0 ,_, but_CCB first_MD I_PPIS1 go_VV0 still_RR and_CC listen_VV0 ,_, just_RR to_TO make_VVI sure_JJ Miss_NNB Leefolt_NP1 ai_FU n't_XX coming_VVG back_RP cause_NN1 she_PPHS1 forgot_VVD something_PN1 ._. 
Coast_NN1 is_VBZ clear_JJ ._. 
"_" Today_RT I_PPIS1 'm_VBM on_II tell_VV0 you_PPY bout_NN1 a_AT1 man_NN1 from_II outer_JJ space_NN1 ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 just_RR loves_VVZ hearing_VVG about_II peoples_NN2 from_II outer_JJ space_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE favorite_JJ show_NN1 on_II the_AT tee-vee_NN1 is_VBZ My_APPGE Favorite_JJ Martian_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 pull_VV0 out_RP my_APPGE antennae_NN2 hats_NN2 I_PPIS1 shaped_VVD last_MD night_NNT1 out_RP a_AT1 tinfoil_NN1 ,_, fasten_VV0 em_FU on_II our_APPGE heads_NN2 ._. 
One_PN1 for_IF her_PPHO1 and_CC one_PN1 for_IF me_PPIO1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 look_VV0 like_CS we_PPIS2 a_AT1 couple_NN1 a_AT1 crazy_JJ people_NN in_II them_PPHO2 things_NN2 ._. 
Our_APPGE family_NN1 maid_NN1 ,_, Demetrie_NP1 ,_, used_VMK to_TO say_VVI picking_VVG cotton_NN1 in_II Mississippi_NP1 in_II the_AT dead_JJ of_IO summer_NNT1 is_VBZ about_II the_AT worst_JJT pastime_NN1 there_EX is_VBZ ,_, if_CS you_PPY do_VD0 n't_XX count_VVI picking_VVG okra_NN1 ,_, another_DD1 prickly_JJ ,_, low-growing_JJ thing_NN1 ._. 
Demetrie_NN1 used_VMK to_TO tell_VVI us_PPIO2 all_DB kinds_NN2 of_IO stories_NN2 about_II picking_VVG cotton_NN1 as_II a_AT1 girl_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 'd_VM laugh_VVI and_CC shake_VVI her_APPGE finger_NN1 at_II us_PPIO2 ,_, warning_VVG us_PPIO2 against_II it_PPH1 ,_, as_CS21 if_CS22 a_AT1 bunch_NN1 of_IO rich_JJ white_JJ kids_NN2 might_VM fall_VVI to_II the_AT evils_NN2 of_IO cotton-picking_NN1 ,_, like_II cigarettes_NN2 or_CC hard_JJ liquor_NN1 ._. 
"_" For_IF days_NNT2 I_PPIS1 picked_VVD and_CC picked_VVD ._. 
And_CC then_RT I_PPIS1 looked_VVD down_RP and_CC my_APPGE skin_NN1 had_VHD bubbled_VVN up_RP ._. 
I_PPIS1 showed_VVD my_APPGE mama_NN1 ._. 
None_PN a_AT1 us_PPIO2 ever_RR seen_VVN sunburn_NN1 on_II a_AT1 black_JJ person_NN1 before_RT ._. 
That_DD1 was_VBDZ for_IF white_JJ people_NN !_! "_" 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ too_RG young_JJ to_TO realize_VVI that_DD1 what_DDQ she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ telling_VVG us_PPIO2 was_VBDZ n't_XX very_RG funny_JJ ._. 
Demetrie_NN1 was_VBDZ born_VVN in_II Lampkin_NP1 ,_, Mississippi_NP1 ,_, in_II 1927_MC ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 horrifying_JJ year_NNT1 to_TO be_VBI born_VVN ,_, just_RR before_II the_AT Depression_NN1 set_VVD in_RP ._. 
Right_RR on_II time_NNT1 for_IF a_AT1 child_NN1 to_TO appreciate_VVI ,_, in_II fine_JJ detail_NN1 ,_, what_DDQ it_PPH1 felt_VVD like_JJ to_TO be_VBI poor_JJ ,_, colored_VVD ,_, and_CC female_NN1 on_II a_AT1 sharecropping_JJ farm_NN1 ._. 
Demetrie_NP1 came_VVD to_TO cook_VVI and_CC clean_JJ for_IF my_APPGE family_NN1 when_CS she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ twenty-eight_MC ._. 
My_APPGE father_NN1 was_VBDZ fourteen_MC ,_, my_APPGE uncle_NN1 seven_MC ._. 
Demetrie_NN1 was_VBDZ stout_JJ and_CC dark-skinned_JJ and_CC ,_, by_II then_RT ,_, married_VVN to_II a_AT1 mean_JJ ,_, abusive_JJ drinker_NN1 named_VVD Clyde_NP1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 would_VM n't_XX answer_VVI me_PPIO1 when_RRQ I_PPIS1 asked_VVD questions_NN2 about_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
But_CCB besides_II the_AT subject_NN1 of_IO Clyde_NP1 ,_, she_PPHS1 'd_VM talk_VVI to_II us_PPIO2 all_DB day_NNT1 ._. 
And_CC God_NP1 ,_, how_RRQ I_PPIS1 loved_VVD to_TO talk_VVI to_II Demetrie_NP1 ._. 
After_CS school_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 'd_VM sit_VVI in_II my_APPGE grandmother_NN1 's_GE kitchen_NN1 with_IW her_PPHO1 ,_, listening_VVG to_II her_APPGE stories_NN2 and_CC watching_VVG her_APPGE mix_NN1 up_II cakes_NN2 and_CC fry_VV0 chicken_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE cooking_NN1 was_VBDZ outstanding_JJ ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ something_PN1 people_NN discussed_VVD at_RR21 length_RR22 after_CS they_PPHS2 ate_VVD at_II my_APPGE grandmother_NN1 's_GE table_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY felt_VVD loved_VVN when_CS you_PPY tasted_VVD Demetrie_NP1 's_GE caramel_NN1 cake_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB my_APPGE older_JJR brother_NN1 and_CC sister_NN1 and_CC I_PPIS1 were_VBDR n't_XX allowed_VVN to_TO bother_VVI Demetrie_NP1 during_II her_APPGE own_DA lunch_NN1 break_NN1 ._. 
Grandmother_NN1 would_VM say_VVI ,_, "_" Leave_VV0 her_APPGE alone_JJ now_RT ,_, let_VV0 her_PPHO1 eat_VVI ,_, this_DD1 is_VBZ her_APPGE time_NNT1 ,_, "_" and_CC I_PPIS1 would_VM stand_VVI in_II the_AT kitchen_NN1 doorway_NN1 ,_, itching_VVG to_TO get_VVI back_RP with_IW her_PPHO1 ._. 
Grandmother_NN1 wanted_VVD Demetrie_NP1 to_TO rest_VVI so_CS she_PPHS1 could_VM finish_VVI her_APPGE work_NN1 ,_, not_XX to_TO mention_VVI ,_, white_JJ people_NN did_VDD n't_XX sit_VVI at_II the_AT table_NN1 while_CS a_AT1 colored_JJ person_NN1 was_VBDZ eating_VVG ._. 
That_DD1 was_VBDZ just_RR a_AT1 normal_JJ part_NN1 of_IO life_NN1 ,_, the_AT rules_NN2 between_II blacks_NN2 and_CC whites_NN2 ._. 
As_II a_AT1 little_JJ girl_NN1 ,_, seeing_VVG black_JJ people_NN in_II the_AT colored_JJ part_NN1 of_IO town_NN1 ,_, even_CS21 if_CS22 they_PPHS2 were_VBDR dressed_VVN up_RP or_CC doing_VDG fine_JJ ,_, I_PPIS1 remember_VV0 pitying_VVG them_PPHO2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 am_VBM so_RG embarrassed_JJ to_TO admit_VVI that_CST now_RT ._. 
I_PPIS1 did_VDD n't_XX pity_VVI Demetrie_NP1 ,_, though_RR ._. 
There_EX were_VBDR several_DA2 years_NNT2 when_RRQ I_PPIS1 thought_VVD she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ immensely_RR lucky_JJ to_TO have_VHI us_PPIO2 ._. 
A_AT1 secure_JJ job_NN1 in_II a_AT1 nice_JJ house_NN1 ,_, cleaning_VVG up_RP after_II white_JJ Christian_JJ people_NN ._. 
