Mr_NNB and_CC Miss_VV0 Anonymous_JJ University_NN1 of_IO California_NP1 Berkeley_NP1 Campus_NN1 ,_, 1986_MC Peter_NP1 Aaron_NP1 Kelly_NP1 stared_VVD out_II21 of_II22 his_APPGE grungy_JJ apartment_NN1 window_NN1 not_XX caring_VVG that_CST he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ running_VVG late_RR ._. 
His_APPGE roommates_NN2 had_VHD gone_VVN home_RL for_IF the_AT Christmas_NNT1 holiday_NN1 ,_, so_CS he_PPHS1 had_VHD the_AT sparsely_RR furnished_JJ apartment_NN1 to_II himself_PPX1 ._. 
Maybe_RR he_PPHS1 should_VM just_RR blow_VVI off_RP his_APPGE appointment_NN1 at_II the_AT clinic_NN1 and_CC go_VV0 straight_RR to_II his_APPGE job_NN1 at_II the_AT cafe_NN1 ,_, where_CS he_PPHS1 worked_VVD as_II a_AT1 waiter_NN1 for_IF the_AT three-hour_JJ lunch_NN1 period_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB ,_, he_PPHS1 needed_VVD the_AT last_MD payment_NN1 from_II the_AT clinic_NN1 ._. 
Needed_VVD it_PPH1 desperately_RR to_TO pay_VVI the_AT final_JJ installment_NN1 on_II his_APPGE tuition_NN1 for_IF his_APPGE last_MD semester_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT end_NN1 ,_, what_DDQ the_AT hell_NN1 difference_NN1 did_VDD it_PPH1 make_VVI one_MC1 way_NN1 or_CC the_AT other_JJ ?_? 
He_PPHS1 shrugged_VVD his_APPGE shoulders_NN2 ,_, reached_VVN for_IF his_APPGE Windbreaker_NN1 and_CC baseball_NN1 cap_NN1 ._. 
Thirty-five_MC minutes_NNT2 later_RRR ,_, Pak_NP1 ,_, as_CSA he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ known_VVN to_II his_APPGE friends_NN2 ,_, entered_VVD the_AT Berkeley_NP1 Sperm_NN Bank_NN1 thirteen_MC minutes_NNT2 late_RR ._. 
The_AT unlucky_JJ number_NN1 did_VDD n't_XX go_VVI unnoticed_JJ by_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
For_IF one_MC1 crazy_JJ moment_NN1 he_PPHS1 wanted_VVD to_TO bolt_NN1 ,_, but_CCB the_AT last_MD reminder_NN1 from_II the_AT billing_NN1 office_NN1 told_VVD him_PPHO1 he_PPHS1 had_VHD no_AT other_JJ choice_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 signed_VVD in_II using_VVG his_APPGE donor_NN1 number_NN1 of_IO 8446_MC ._. 
He_PPHS1 turned_VVD his_APPGE baseball_NN1 cap_NN1 around_RP so_RR the_AT bill_NN1 could_VM tickle_VVI his_APPGE neck_NN1 as_CSA he_PPHS1 sat_VVD down_RP and_CC picked_VVD up_RP a_AT1 magazine_NN1 ._. 
Like_CS he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ really_RR going_VVGK to_TO read_VVI Field_NN1 &;_NULL Stream_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE eyes_NN2 glued_VVN to_II the_AT glossy_JJ magazine_NN1 cover_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX look_VVI up_RP when_CS a_AT1 steady_JJ stream_NN1 of_IO guys_NN2 paraded_VVN past_II him_PPHO1 ,_, some_DD leaving_NN1 ,_, some_DD entering_VVG ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VHD done_VDN this_DD1 gig_NN1 eleven_MC times_NNT2 ._. 
Everyone_PN1 entered_VVD and_CC exited_VVD this_DD1 place_NN1 with_IW eyes_NN2 downcast_JJ just_RR the_AT way_NN1 he_PPHS1 did_VDD ._. 
No_PN121 one_PN122 spoke_VVD ,_, no_PN121 one_PN122 made_VVD eye_NN1 contact_NN1 ._. 
All_DB they_PPHS2 wanted_VVD was_VBDZ to_TO get_VVI the_AT hell_NN1 out_II21 of_II22 there_RL so_CS they_PPHS2 could_VM try_VVI to_TO exorcise_VVI their_APPGE personal_JJ shame_NN1 and_CC spend_VVI the_AT guilt_NN1 money_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 should_VM know_VVI because_CS he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ one_MC1 of_IO them_PPHO2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 took_VVD a_AT1 moment_NN1 to_TO wonder_VVI how_RGQ many_DA2 of_IO the_AT donors_NN2 walking_VVG through_II the_AT clinic_NN1 's_GE doors_NN2 went_VVD to_II the_AT counseling_NN1 sessions_NNT2 that_CST were_VBDR so_RG strongly_RR recommended_VVN each_DD1 time_NNT1 a_AT1 donor_NN1 signed_VVD a_AT1 contract_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 took_VVD another_DD1 moment_NN1 to_TO wonder_VVI who_PNQS owned_VVD the_AT place_NN1 ._. 
Probably_RR some_DD very_RG rich_JJ person_NN1 ._. 
More_DAR guilt_NN1 piled_VVD up_RP on_II his_APPGE shoulders_NN2 as_CSA he_PPHS1 waited_VVD patiently_RR for_IF his_APPGE number_NN1 to_TO be_VBI called_VVN ._. 
Pete_NP1 shifted_VVD his_APPGE mind_NN1 to_II a_AT1 neutral_JJ zone_NN1 and_CC closed_VVD his_APPGE eyes_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 thought_VVD about_II his_APPGE family_NN1 back_RP at_II the_AT farm_NN1 in_II Idaho_NP1 where_RRQ they_PPHS2 grew_VVD potatoes_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 'd_VM all_DB be_VBI getting_VVG ready_JJ for_IF Christmas_NNT1 ._. 
One_MC1 of_IO his_APPGE brothers_NN2 had_VHD probably_RR cut_VVN down_RP the_AT tree_NN1 by_RT21 now_RT22 ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 was_VBDZ sitting_VVG in_II the_AT living_NN1 room_NN1 just_RR waiting_VVG to_TO be_VBI decorated_VVN ._. 
His_APPGE nieces_NN2 and_CC nephews_NN2 were_VBDR probably_RR driving_VVG everyone_PN1 crazy_JJ to_TO decorate_VVI the_AT tree_NN1 ,_, but_CCB his_APPGE mother_NN1 would_VM make_VVI them_PPHO2 wait_VVI for_IF the_AT branches_NN2 to_TO settle_VVI themselves_PPX2 so_RR ,_, as_CSA she_PPHS1 put_VVD it_PPH1 ,_, her_APPGE heirloom_NN1 decorations_NN2 would_VM n't_XX fall_VVI off_RP ._. 
He_PPHS1 wondered_VVD what_DDQ his_APPGE mother_NN1 would_VM serve_VVI for_IF Christmas_NNT1 Eve_NNT1 dinner_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 turkey_NN1 or_CC a_AT1 ham_NN1 ._. 
Maybe_RR even_RR both_DB2 ._. 
Five_MC different_JJ pies_NN2 ._. 
Well_RR ,_, probably_RR just_RR the_AT turkey_NN1 or_CC just_RR the_AT ham_NN1 ,_, but_CCB not_XX both_DB2 ._. 
And_CC maybe_RR only_RR two_MC pies_NN2 this_DD1 year_NNT1 ,_, he_PPHS1 thought_VVD ,_, remembering_VVG his_APPGE father_NN1 had_VHD told_VVN him_PPHO1 it_PPH1 'd_VHD been_VBN a_AT1 bad_JJ year_NNT1 with_IW a_AT1 blight_NN1 that_CST had_VHD hit_VVN the-plants_NN2 midseason_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE mouth_NN1 started_VVD to_II water_NN1 at_II the_AT thought_NN1 of_IO what_DDQ he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ missing_VVG ._. 
Oh_UH ,_, well_RR ,_, five_MC more_DAR months_NNT2 and_CC he_PPHS1 could_VM go_VVI home_RL for_IF a_AT1 week_NNT1 or_CC so_RR before_CS he_PPHS1 started_VVD job_NN1 hunting_NN1 ._. 
Pete_NP1 's_GE thoughts_NN2 shifted_VVN to_II his_APPGE three-and-a-half-year_JJ struggle_NN1 to_TO get_VVI through_II college_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 thought_VVD of_IO the_AT lean_JJ meals_NN2 ,_, the_AT long_JJ days_NNT2 of_IO work_NN1 followed_VVN by_II all-night_JJ study_NN1 sessions_NNT2 ,_, and_CC getting_VVG by_RP on_II only_RR a_AT1 few_DA2 hours_NNT2 '_GE sleep_NN1 ._. 
So_RG many_DA2 times_NNT2 he_PPHS1 wanted_VVD to_TO call_VVI it_PPH1 quits_VVZ ,_, but_CCB something_PN1 deep_RR inside_II him_PPHO1 would_VM n't_XX allow_VVI it_PPH1 because_CS he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ determined_VVN to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 self-made_JJ millionaire_NN1 by_II the_AT age_NN1 of_IO forty_MC ._. 
The_AT day_NNT1 he_PPHS1 made_VVD his_APPGE first_MD million_NNO he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ going_VVGK to_TO do_VDI two_MC things_NN2 ._. 
The_AT first_MD thing_NN1 he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ going_VVGK to_TO do_VDI was_VBDZ send_VVI his_APPGE family_NN1 to_II Hawaii_NP1 and_CC set_VV0 them_PPHO2 up_RP in_II a_AT1 nice_JJ house_NN1 right_NN1 on_II the_AT ocean_NN1 ._. 
The_AT second_MD thing_NN1 he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ going_VVGK to_TO do_VDI was_VBDZ buy_VVI this_DD1 goddamn_JJ place_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT minute_NNT1 the_AT ink_NN1 was_VBDZ dry_JJ on_II the_AT contract_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ going_VVGK to_TO burn_VVI it_PPH1 to_II the_AT ground_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 chunky_JJ woman_NN1 in_II a_AT1 nurse_NN1 's_GE uniform_NN1 appeared_VVD in_II the_AT doorway_NN1 ._. 
"_" Number_NN1 8446_MC ._. 
You_PPY 're_VBR up_RP next_MD ._. 
You_PPY 're_VBR late_RR this_DD1 morning_NNT1 ,_, 8446_MC ._. "_" 
Not_XX bothering_VVG to_TO wait_VVI to_TO see_VVI if_CSW he_PPHS1 would_VM offer_VVI up_RP an_AT1 explanation_NN1 ,_, the_AT woman_NN1 said_VVD ,_, "_" Room_NN1 5_MC ._. 
You_PPY know_VV0 what_DDQ to_TO do_VDI ._. "_" 
Yeah_UH ,_, I_PPIS1 know_VV0 what_DDQ to_TO do_VDI ,_, Pete_NP1 thought_VVD as_CSA he_PPHS1 brushed_VVD past_II the_AT woman_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 knew_VVD she_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX approve_VVI of_IO what_DDQ went_VVD on_RP there_RL behind_II the_AT numbered_JJ doors_NN2 ,_, but_CCB she_PPHS1 worked_VVD there_RL anyway_RR ,_, collected_VVD a_AT1 paycheck_NN1 ._. 
As_RG hard_RR as_CSA he_PPHS1 tried_VVD ,_, he_PPHS1 could_VM n't_XX make_VVI it_PPH1 compute_VVI in_II his_APPGE head_NN1 ._. 
At_II one_MC1 point_NN1 he_PPHS1 decided_VVD she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 hypocrite_NN1 and_CC let_VV0 it_PPH1 go_VVI at_II that_DD1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX give_VVI a_AT1 good_JJ rat_NN1 's_GE ass_NN1 if_CS she_PPHS1 approved_VVD of_IO what_DDQ he_PPHS1 and_CC hundreds_NNO2 of_IO other_JJ guys_NN2 were_VBDR doing_VDG or_CC not_XX ._. 
He_PPHS1 always_RR stared_VVD her_PPHO1 down_RP when_CS she_PPHS1 handed_VVD him_PPHO1 the_AT envelope_NN1 at_II the_AT end_NN1 of_IO the_AT session_NNT1 ._. 
Pete_NP1 entered_VVD Room_NN1 5_MC ._. 
The_AT setup_NN1 was_VBDZ always_RR the_AT same_DA ._. 
Small_JJ TV_NN1 Porno_NN1 movie_NN1 in_II the_AT VCR_NP1 ._. 
Dozens_NNO2 of_IO what_DDQ his_APPGE father_NN1 would_VM call_VVI "_" girlie_NN1 magazines_NN2 ._. "_" 
Equipment_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 argued_VVD with_IW himself_PPX1 for_IF a_AT1 full_JJ five_MC minutes_NNT2 ._. 
/_FO do_VD0 n't_XX want_VVI to_TO do_VDI this_DD1 again_RT ._. 
I_PPIS1 ca_VM n't_XX do_VDI this_DD1 anymore_RR ._. 
You_PPY have_VH0 to_TO do_VDI it_PPH1 ._. 
If_CS you_PPY do_VD0 n't_XX ,_, the_AT next_MD semester_NN1 is_VBZ gone_VVN ._. 
Just_RR close_VV0 your_APPGE eyes_NN2 and_CC do_VD0 it_PPH1 ._. 
No_UH ._. 
Yes_UH ._. 
In_II the_AT end_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 lost_VVD the_AT argument_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 unzipped_VVD and_CC turned_VVD on_II the_AT VCR_NP1 ._. 
In_II the_AT building_NN1 next_II21 to_II22 the_AT sperm_NN bank_NN1 ,_, Lily_NP1 Madison_NP1 entered_VVD the_AT egg_NN1 donor_NN1 clinic_NN1 for_IF her_APPGE last_MD session_NNT1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 looked_VVD at_II her_APPGE watch_NN1 ,_, knowing_VVG she_PPHS1 had_VHD only_RR an_AT1 hour_NNT1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 hoped_VVD that_CST today_RT 's_GE session_NNT1 would_VM go_VVI as_RG quickly_RR as_CSA her_APPGE others_NN2 had_VHD ._. 
She_PPHS1 closed_VVD her_APPGE eyes_NN2 ,_, trying_VVG to_TO imagine_VVI what_DDQ she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ going_VVGK to_TO feel_VVI when_RRQ she_PPHS1 picked_VVD up_RP her_APPGE last_MD check_NN1 for_IF $6,000_NNU ._. 
Relief_NN1 ?_? 
Guilt_NN1 ?_? 
Satisfaction_NN1 that_CST her_APPGE last_MD semester_NN1 was_VBDZ going_VVGK to_TO be_VBI paid_VVN for_IF ?_? 
Maybe_RR all_DB three_MC ._. 
When_CS she_PPHS1 left_VVD after_II graduation_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 would_VM never_RR ,_, ever_RR come_VV0 back_RP to_II this_DD1 place_NN1 ._. 
Never_RR ,_, ever_RR ._. 
Lily_NP1 adjusted_VVD her_APPGE homemade_JJ denim_NN1 hat_NN1 with_IW the_AT big_JJ sunflower_NN1 on_II it_PPH1 as_CSA she_PPHS1 walked_VVD through_II the_AT swinging_JJ doors_NN2 ._. 
For_IF some_DD reason_NN1 ,_, wearing_VVG a_AT1 hat_NN1 gave_VVD her_APPGE confidence_NN1 and_CC courage_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 'd_VHD tried_VVN to_TO explain_VVI it_PPH1 to_II her_APPGE roommates_NN2 ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 just_RR laughed_VVD at_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 said_VVD she_PPHS1 wore_VVD hats_NN2 because_CS she_PPHS1 hated_VVD her_APPGE kinky_JJ ,_, curly_JJ hair_NN1 ._. 
Maybe_RR it_PPH1 was_VBDZ both_DB2 ._. 
Her_APPGE head_NN1 up_RP ,_, she_PPHS1 marched_VVD up_II21 to_II22 the_AT desk_NN1 and_CC signed_VVD in_RP as_CSA Donor_NN1 1114_MC ._. 
Within_II minutes_NNT2 she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ whisked_VVN into_II an_AT1 examining_NN1 room_NN1 ._. 
When_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ all_RR over_RP ,_, Lily_NP1 dressed_VVD and_CC sighed_VVD with_IW relief_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 could_VM leave_VVI the_AT place_NN1 and_CC never_RR come_VV0 back_RP ._. 
Her_APPGE eyes_NN2 filled_VVN with_IW tears_NN2 ._. 
How_RGQ weird_JJ was_VBDZ that_DD1 ?_? 
She_PPHS1 swiped_VVD them_PPHO2 away_RL as_CSA she_PPHS1 walked_VVD toward_II the_AT payment_NN1 window_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 handed_VVD the_AT clerk_NN1 the_AT slip_NN1 the_AT doctor_NN1 had_VHD given_VVN her_PPHO1 and_CC waited_VVN ._. 
She_PPHS1 almost_RR swooned_VVD when_RRQ the_AT check_NN1 was_VBDZ in_II her_APPGE hand_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 thought_VVD about_II buying_VVG a_AT1 bottle_NN1 of_IO wine_NN1 and_CC drinking_VVG it_PPH1 all_DB ,_, by_II31 way_II32 of_II33 celebrating_VVG the_AT end_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 ..._... this_DD1 ..._... experience_VV0 in_II her_APPGE life_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ such_DA a_AT1 stupid_JJ thought_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 chased_VVD it_PPH1 out_II21 of_II22 her_APPGE mind_NN1 ._. 
From_II here_RL on_II ,_, what_DDQ had_VHD transpired_VVN over_II the_AT past_JJ months_NNT2 was_VBDZ a_AT1 memory_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 memory_NN1 she_PPHS1 could_VM think_VVI about_II or_CC forget_VV0 about_II ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ no_AT big_JJ deal_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 told_VVD herself_PPX1 as_CSA she_PPHS1 walked_VVD out_RP into_II the_AT late-afternoon_JJ sunshine_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE thoughts_NN2 all_RR over_II the_AT map_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX see_VVI him_PPHO1 until_CS she_PPHS1 landed_VVD on_II the_AT ground_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 hand_NN1 was_VBDZ outstretched_JJ to_TO help_VVI her_PPHO1 up_RP ._. 
"_" You_PPY knocked_VVD me_PPIO1 down_RP ,_, "_" Lily_NP1 said_VVD inanely_RR ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 know_VV0 ,_, I_PPIS1 know_VV0 ,_, I_PPIS1 'm_VBM sorry_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 mean_VV0 it_PPH1 ,_, I_PPIS1 'm_VBM really_RR sorry_JJ ._. 
Are_VBR you_PPY all_RR21 right_RR22 ?_? 
Can_VM I_PPIS1 do_VDI anything_PN1 for_IF you_PPY ?_? "_" 
He_PPHS1 smiled_VVD ,_, and_CC Lily_NP1 was_VBDZ charmed_VVN ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 like_VV0 your_APPGE hat_NN1 !_! "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 made_VVD it_PPH1 ._. "_" 
"_" Wow_UH !_! 
Are_VBR you_PPY sure_JJ you_PPY 're_VBR okay_JJ ?_? "_" 
He_PPHS1 sounds_VVZ like_CS he_PPHS1 cares_VVZ if_CS I_PPIS1 'm_VBM all_RR21 right_RR22 or_CC not_XX ._. 
She_PPHS1 nodded_VVD and_CC held_VVD out_RP her_APPGE hand_NN1 ._. 
"_" Lily_NP1 ._. "_" 
"_" Pak_VV0 ,_, "_" Pete_NP1 said_VVD ,_, electing_VVG to_TO go_VVI with_IW his_APPGE initials_NN2 instead_II21 of_II22 his_APPGE real_JJ name_NN1 ._. 
'Are_VV0 you_PPY ..._... what_DDQ I_PPIS1 mean_VV0 is_VBZ ..._... did_VDD you_PPY ?_? "_" 
Lily_NP1 nodded_VVD again_RT ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 guess_VV0 you_PPY did_VDD the_AT ..._... uh_UH ..._... "_" 
"_" Yeah_UH ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ my_APPGE last_MD session_NNT1 ._. "_" 
"_" Mine_PPGE ,_, too_RR ._. "_" 
"_" This_DD1 is_VBZ embarrassing_JJ ,_, "_" Pete_NP1 said_VVD ,_, offering_VVG up_RP his_APPGE megawatt_NN1 smile_NN1 ._. 
"_" Yes_UH ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ ._. 
Are_VBR you_PPY a_AT1 student_NN1 ?_? 
Do_VD0 you_PPY suppose_VVI that_CST when_CS we_PPIS2 meet_VV0 up_RP at_II one_MC1 of_IO our_APPGE reunions_NN2 ,_, we_PPIS2 'll_VM remember_VVI this_DD1 moment_NN1 ?_? "_" 
Lily_NP1 asked_VVD as_CSA she_PPHS1 jammed_VVD her_APPGE hat_NN1 more_RGR firmly_RR on_II her_APPGE head_NN1 ._. 
Like_CS she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ ever_RR going_VVGK to_TO go_VVI to_II a_AT1 reunion_NN1 ._. 
"_" Yeah_UH ._. 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM studying_VVG to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 teacher_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 bet_VV0 we_PPIS2 do_VD0 ._. 
Well_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 'm_VBM really_RR sorry_JJ ._. 
If_CS you_PPY 're_VBR sure_JJ you_PPY 're_VBR okay_JJ ,_, I_PPIS1 have_VH0 to_TO get_VVI going_VVG or_CC I_PPIS1 'll_VM be_VBI late_JJ for_IF work_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM okay_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 have_VH0 to_TO get_VVI going_VVG myself_PPX1 ._. 
Good_JJ luck_NN1 ._. "_" 
Pete_NP1 turned_VVD to_TO walk_VVI away_RL ,_, then_RT walked_VVD back_RP ._. 
"_" Do_VD0 you_PPY mind_VVI if_CS I_PPIS1 ask_VV0 you_PPY a_AT1 personal_JJ question_NN1 ?_? "_" 
Lily_NP1 shrugged_VVD ._. 
"_" Try_VV0 me_PPIO1 ._. "_" 
"_" Did_VDD you_PPY ..._... uh_UH ..._... did_VDD you_PPY go_VVI to_II any_DD of_IO the_AT counseling_NN1 sessions_NNT2 ?_? "_" 
The_AT expression_NN1 on_II Pak_NP1 's_GE face_NN1 told_VVD her_PPHO1 he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ serious_JJ ._. 
"_" No_UH ._. 
I_PPIS1 wanted_VVD to_TO go_VVI ,_, but_CCB my_APPGE schedule_NN1 ..._... 
No_UH ,_, I_PPIS1 did_VDD n't_XX ._. 
Did_VDD you_PPY ?_? "_" 
"_" No_UH ._. 
I_PPIS1 hope_VV0 neither_RR one_MC1 of_IO us_PPIO2 regrets_VVZ it_PPH1 ._. "_" 
"_" You_PPY sound_VV0 like_II you_PPY regret_VV0 it_PPH1 already_RR ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ not_XX too_RG late_RR if_CS you_PPY feel_VV0 like_II that_DD1 ._. "_" 
Lily_NP1 wondered_VVD if_CS what_DDQ she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ saying_VVG was_VBDZ true_JJ or_CC not_XX ._. 
"_" Hey_UH ,_, wait_VV0 a_AT1 minute_NNT1 ._. 
Let_VV0 me_PPIO1 ask_VVI you_PPY a_AT1 question_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 concrete_JJ building_NN1 that_CST runs_VVZ across_II the_AT back_NN1 of_IO the_AT sperm_NN bank_NN1 and_CC the_AT donor_NN1 clinic_NN1 ..._... what_DDQ is_VBZ it_PPH1 ,_, do_VD0 you_PPY know_VVI ?_? 
Did_VDD you_PPY ever_RR hear_VVI who_PNQS owns_VVZ this_DD1 place_NN1 ?_? "_" 
Pete_NP1 shook_VVD his_APPGE head_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 asked_VVD one_MC1 time_NNT1 ,_, and_CC they_PPHS2 more_RRR or_CC less_RRR told_VVD me_PPIO1 that_CST it_PPH1 was_VBDZ none_PN of_IO my_APPGE business_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 walked_VVD around_II the_AT block_NN1 after_CS ..._... well_RR ,_, after_CS ,_, and_CC thought_VVD it_PPH1 a_RR21 little_RR22 strange_JJ that_CST the_AT building_NN1 does_VDZ n't_XX have_VHI doors_NN2 or_CC windows_NN2 ._. 
Is_VBZ there_EX a_AT1 reason_NN1 why_RRQ you_PPY 're_VBR asking_VVG ?_? 
Some_DD rich_JJ guy_NN1 with_IW tons_NNU2 of_IO money_NN1 probably_RR owns_VVZ it_PPH1 ._. 
Is_VBZ n't_XX that_DD1 the_AT way_NN1 of_IO the_AT world_NN1 ,_, the_AT rich_JJ get_VV0 richer_JJR ,_, and_CC the_AT poor_JJ get_VV0 poorer_JJR ?_? "_" 
"_" The_AT first_MD time_NNT1 I_PPIS1 went_VVD to_II the_AT clinic_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 sort_RR21 of_RR22 got_VVD lost_VVN and_CC wandered_VVN down_RP the_AT wrong_JJ hallway_NN1 and_CC you_PPY would_VM have_VHI thought_VVN I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ going_VVGK to_TO plant_VVI a_AT1 bomb_NN1 ._. 
An_AT1 Amazon_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 woman_NN1 shooed_VVD me_PPIO1 away_RL ._. 
I_PPIS1 guess_VV0 the_AT building_NN1 belongs_VVZ to_II the_AT sperm_NN bank_NN1 and_CC donor_NN1 center_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM just_RR curious_JJ by_II nature_NN1 ._. 
Like_CS you_PPY said_VVD ,_, no_AT windows_NN2 or_CC doors_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 find_VV0 that_RG strange_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" So_RR ,_, are_VBR you_PPY thinking_VVG something_PN1 sinister_JJ is_VBZ going_VVG on_RP ?_? 
That_DD1 's_VBZ what_DDQ I_PPIS1 thought_VVD at_RR21 first_RR22 ._. 
Now_RT I_PPIS1 could_VM n't_XX care_VVI less_RRR ._. 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM outta_NN1 here_RL ._. "_" 
Pete_NP1 narrowed_VVD his_APPGE gaze_NN1 as_CSA he_PPHS1 waited_VVD for_IF her_APPGE reply_NN1 ._. 
Lily_NP1 laughed_VVD ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 was_VBDZ an_AT1 uneasy_JJ sound_NN1 even_RR to_II her_APPGE own_DA ears_NN2 ._. 
"_" No_UH ._. 
Just_RR my_APPGE womanly_JJ curiosity_NN1 ._. "_" 
But_CCB she_PPHS1 knew_VVD that_CST it_PPH1 was_VBDZ not_XX just_RR "_" womanly_JJ curiosity_NN1 "_" at_RR21 all_RR22 ._. 
He_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX know_VVI anything_PN1 about_II "_" womanly_JJ curiosity_NN1 ._. "_" 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ Pete_NP1 's_GE turn_NN1 to_TO shrug_VVI ._. 
"_" See_VV0 ya_PPY ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, waving_VVG airily_RR in_II her_APPGE direction_NN1 ._. 
"_" Yeah_UH ,_, see_VV0 you_PPY ._. "_" 
A_AT1 brisk_JJ afternoon_NNT1 wind_NN1 whipped_VVD up_RP ._. 
Lily_NP1 clutched_VVD at_II her_APPGE hat_NN1 as_CSA she_PPHS1 headed_VVD for_IF her_APPGE car_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 rusty_JJ Nissan_NP1 with_IW over_RG 150,000_MC miles_NNU2 on_II it_PPH1 ._. 
Before_II unlocking_VVG the_AT door_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 said_VVD a_AT1 prayer_NN1 ,_, as_CSA she_PPHS1 always_RR did_VDD ,_, that_CST the_AT car_NN1 would_VM start_VVI ._. 
To_II her_APPGE delight_NN1 ,_, the_AT engine_NN1 turned_VVD over_RP on_II the_AT first_MD try_NN1 ._. 
Lily_NP1 drove_VVD aimlessly_RR ,_, up_II one_MC1 street_NN1 ,_, down_II another_DD1 ,_, seeing_VVG Christmas_NNT1 shoppers_NN2 out_RP in_II full_JJ force_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ going_VVGK to_TO be_VBI her_APPGE first_MD holiday_NN1 alone_RR ._. 
Since_CS her_APPGE grandmother_NN1 's_GE death_NN1 earlier_RRR in_II the_AT year_NNT1 ,_, there_EX was_VBDZ no_AT reason_NN1 to_TO go_VVI back_RP home_RL to_II South_NP1 Carolina_NP1 ._. 
Her_APPGE parents_NN2 had_VHD abandoned_VVN her_PPHO1 at_II the_AT age_NN1 of_IO four_MC to_TO be_VBI raised_VVN by_II her_APPGE grandmother_NN1 ,_, then_RT left_VVD the_AT country_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX know_VVI where_RRQ they_PPHS2 were_VBDR or_CC even_CS21 if_CS22 they_PPHS2 were_VBDR alive_JJ ._. 
There_EX had_VHD been_VBN no_AT way_NN1 to_TO notify_VVI her_APPGE mother_NN1 when_CS her_APPGE grandmother_NN1 passed_VVD away_RL ._. 
Her_APPGE eyes_NN2 filled_VVN with_IW tears_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ so_RG alone_JJ ._. 
