﻿There_NN1 is_VBZ only_AV0 moonlight_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 spill_NN1 of_PRF it_PNP across_PRP Heath_NP0 's_POS shoulders_NN2 ,_PUN illuminating_VVG how_AVQ he_PNP lies_VVZ on_PRP his_DPS side_NN1 ,_PUN turned_VVD from_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC also_AV0 the_AT0 pair_NN0 of_PRF miniscule_AJ0 hands_NN2 floating_VVG above_PRP the_AT0 curtain_NN1 rod_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 fingers_NN2 small_AJ0 as_PRP the_AT0 tines_NN2 of_PRF a_AT0 doll_NN1 's_POS silver_NN1 fork_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS I_PNP call_VVB my_DPS husband_NN1 's_POS name_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS voice_NN1 splinters_NN2 from_PRP my_DPS throat_NN1 and_CJC Heath_NN1 wakes_VVZ immediately_AV0 ,_PUN turns_VVZ on_PRP the_AT0 bedside_NN1 lamp_NN1 ,_PUN leans_VVZ in_PRP so_AV0 close_AJ0 I_PNP can_VM0 smell_VVI the_AT0 sleep_NN1 on_PRP his_DPS breath_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP checks_VVZ my_DPS pupils_NN2 ,_PUN then_AV0 lays_VVZ the_AT0 cool_AJ0 back_NN1 of_PRF his_DPS hand_NN1 against_PRP my_DPS forehead_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Do_VDB you_PNP have_VHI any_DT0 pain_NN1 ?_SENT "_PUQ he_PNP asks_VVZ ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP want_VVB to_TO0 swallow_VVI my_DPS mouth_NN1 —_PUN to_TO0 fold_VVI in_PRP my_DPS lips_NN2 and_CJC chew_VVB until_CJS they_PNP burst_VVD —_PUN to_TO0 keep_VVI myself_PNX from_PRP laughing_VVG ._SENT I_PNP place_VVB my_DPS hands_NN2 on_PRP my_DPS stomach_NN1 and_CJC nod_NN1 ._SENT Heath_NP0 reaches_VVZ underneath_PRP my_DPS sleep_NN1 shirt_NN1 to_TO0 test_VVI the_AT0 tenderness_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS skin_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ What_DTQ hurts_VVZ ?_SENT "_PUQ His_DPS fingers_NN2 keep_VVB pressing_AJ0 ,_PUN like_CJS I_PNP 'm_VBB clay_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Everything_PNI ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP say_VVB ._SENT 
He_PNP looks_VVZ at_PRP me_PNP then_AV0 ,_PUN and_CJC in_PRP the_AT0 look_NN1 I_PNP can_VM0 see_VVI him_PNP envisioning_VVG how_AVQ I_PNP will_VM0 be_VBI at_PRP some_DT0 point_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 future_NN1 ,_PUN ten_CRD years_NN2 from_PRP now_AV0 or_CJC twenty_CRD ._SENT I_PNP am_VBB a_AT0 vague_AJ0 imprint_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 girl_NN1 he_PNP 'd_VHD thought_VVN I_PNP was_VBD when_CJS we_PNP married_VVD ,_PUN my_DPS mouth_NN1 a_AT0 black_AJ0 cave_NN1 ,_PUN ugly_AJ0 and_CJC squared_AJ0 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Rayna_NP0 ,_PUN you_PNP 're_VBB fine_AJ0 ,_PUN "_PUQ Heath_NP0 says_VVZ ._SENT "_PUQ Everything_PNI 's_VBZ okay_AJ0 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 nightmare_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ He_PNP turns_VVZ the_AT0 light_NN1 back_AVP out_AVP ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 correct_VVI him_PNP ,_PUN do_VDB n't_XX0 mention_VVI the_AT0 tiny_AJ0 hands_NN2 that_CJT are_VBB still_AV0 climbing_VVG up_AVP and_CJC down_AVP the_AT0 drapes_NN2 ._SENT We_PNP are_VBB both_AV0 pretending_VVG ._SENT It_PNP 's_VBZ the_AT0 only_AJ0 way_NN1 we_PNP sleep_VVB ._SENT 
This_DT0 thing_NN1 with_PRP the_AT0 body_NN1 parts_NN2 makes_VVZ sense_NN1 to_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN this_DT0 fixation_NN1 with_PRP scale_NN1 ;_PUN I_PNP blame_VVB all_DT0 those_DT0 baby_NN1 tracker_NN1 apps_VVZ for_PRP that_DT0 ,_PUN measuring_VVG the_AT0 growth_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS child_NN1 as_CJS compared_VVN to_TO0 produce_VVI —_PUN kumquats_NN2 and_CJC Brussels_NP0 sprouts_NN2 ,_PUN pomegranate_NN1 seeds_NN2 ,_PUN green_AJ0 lentils_NN2 —_PUN except_CJS instead_AV0 of_PRF roots_NN2 ,_PUN it_PNP was_VBD growing_VVG a_AT0 brain_NN1 and_CJC tongue_NN1 ,_PUN eyebrows_NN2 ,_PUN a_AT0 thumb_NN1 to_TO0 suck_VVI ._SENT Briefly_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP 'd_VHD been_VBN in_PRP love_NN1 with_PRP it_PNP ._SENT 
Heath_NP0 and_CJC I_PNP had_VHD been_VBN married_VVN for_PRP three_CRD years_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC he_PNP had_VHD this_DT0 whole_AJ0 other_AJ0 child_NN1 ,_PUN this_DT0 ex-wife_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 past_AJ0 life_NN1 that_CJT had_VHD nothing_PNI to_TO0 do_VDI with_PRP me_PNP ._SENT I_PNP had_VHD my_DPS friends_NN2 '_POS questions_NN2 (_PUL When_CJS y'all_VVB having_VHG kids_NN2 of_PRF your_DPS own_DT0 ?_SENT )_PUR and_CJC my_DPS mother_NN1 's_POS proclamations_NN2 (_PUL That_DT0 baby_NN1 's_POS gonna_NN1 have_VHB good_AJ0 hair_NN1 !_SENT )_PUR ._SENT I_PNP had_VHD two_CRD hands_NN2 held_VVD out_AVP ,_PUN waiting_VVG to_TO0 receive_VVI my_DPS due_AJ0 ._SENT I_PNP 'd_VHD wanted_VVN a_AT0 honeymoon_NN1 baby_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 curly-haired_AJ0 kid_NN1 with_PRP golden_AJ0 skin_NN1 and_CJC Heath_NP0 's_POS hazel_AJ0 eyes_NN2 ._SENT While_CJS I_PNP waited_VVD ,_PUN I_PNP would_VM0 practice_NN1 with_PRP his_DPS child_NN1 ._SENT Out_AVP together_AV0 at_PRP dinner_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP 'd_VM0 wind_VVI a_AT0 strand_NN1 of_PRF Nila_NP0 's_POS hair_NN1 behind_PRP her_DPS ear_NN1 ,_PUN tell_VVB her_PNP not_XX0 to_TO0 eat_VVI so_AV0 fast_AV0 ,_PUN introduce_VVB her_PNP as_PRP our_DPS daughter_NN1 ._SENT 
Nine_CRD months_NN2 ago_AV0 ,_PUN when_CJS I_PNP missed_VVD my_DPS period_NN1 ,_PUN when_CJS I_PNP confirmed_VVD with_PRP the_AT0 pee_NN1 stick_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 doctor_NN1 ,_PUN when_CJS I_PNP told_VVD Heath_NN1 over_PRP a_AT0 bottle_NN1 of_PRF expensive_AJ0 champagne_NN1 and_CJC a_AT0 card_NN1 that_CJT read_VVD Daddy_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD glowing_VVG from_PRP the_AT0 inside_NN1 out_AVP ._SENT This_DT0 baby_NN1 validated_VVD me_PNP in_PRP the_AT0 same_DT0 way_NN1 as_PRP my_DPS master_NN1 's_POS degree_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS good_AJ0 credit_NN1 ;_PUN Heath_NP0 's_VBZ getting_VVG down_AVP on_PRP one_CRD knee_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP bought_VVD the_AT0 baby_NN1 books_NN2 ,_PUN browsed_VVD the_AT0 best_AJS cribs_NN2 ,_PUN shunned_VVD the_AT0 million_CRD things_NN2 expectant_AJ0 mothers_NN2 should_VM0 shun_VVI ._SENT Rule-by-rule_NP0 ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD everything_PNI I_PNP was_VBD supposed_AJ0 to_TO0 be_VBI —_PUN twice_AV0 as_CJS good_AJ0 for_PRP half_DT0 as_CJS much_DT0 ._SENT 
The_AT0 baby_NN1 was_VBD the_AT0 size_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 Washington_NP0 cherry_NN1 ,_PUN with_PRP miniature_AJ0 sex_NN1 organs_NN2 even_AV0 a_AT0 skilled_AJ0 technician_NN1 could_VM0 n't_XX0 see_VVI ,_PUN when_CJS I_PNP lost_VVD it_PNP ._SENT There_EX0 'd_VHD been_VBN no_AT0 symptoms_NN2 ,_PUN it_PNP was_VBD too_AV0 small_AJ0 for_PRP fluttering_VVG ,_PUN and_CJC when_CJS I_PNP went_VVD to_PRP the_AT0 appointment_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 milestone_NN1 when_AVQ embryo_NN1 became_VVD fetus_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 doctor_NN1 told_VVD me_PNP she_PNP was_VBD sorry_AJ0 ,_PUN her_DPS face_NN1 solemn_AJ0 and_CJC practiced_AJ0 ._SENT There_EX0 was_VBD no_AT0 heartbeat_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD ,_PUN and_CJC then_AV0 it_PNP was_VBD n't_XX0 ._SENT 
"_PUQ This_DT0 is_VBZ common_AJ0 in_PRP early_AJ0 pregnancy_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ she_PNP 'd_VHD told_VVN me_PNP ._SENT "_PUQ It_PNP happens_VVZ all_DT0 the_AT0 time_NN1 ._SENT Once_CJS the_AT0 fetus_NN1 is_VBZ out_AVP ,_PUN and_CJC you_PNP begin_VVB ovulating_VVG ,_PUN you_PNP can_VM0 try_VVI again_AV0 ._SENT "_PUQ The_AT0 fetus_NN1 ,_PUN she_PNP 'd_VHD said_VVN ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 word_NN1 I_PNP 'd_VHD been_VBN so_AV0 excited_AJ0 about_PRP minutes_NN2 earlier_AV0 soured_VVN ._SENT 
I_PNP opted_VVD out_AVP of_PRF the_AT0 D_ZZ0 &_NN1 C_ZZ0 and_CJC the_AT0 pill_NN1 ,_PUN waiting_VVG for_PRP things_NN2 to_TO0 proceed_VVI "_PUQ naturally_AV0 ._SENT "_PUQ There_EX0 was_VBD still_AV0 hope_VVB inside_AV0 of_PRF me_PNP ._SENT Doctors_NN2 were_VBD wrong_AV0 all_DT0 the_AT0 time_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP prodded_VVD my_DPS slim_AJ0 belly_NN1 ,_PUN shook_VVD it_PNP ,_PUN willing_VVG my_DPS baby_NN1 to_TO0 move_VVI ._SENT "_PUQ Wake_VVB up_AVP ,_PUN baby_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP commanded_VVD ,_PUN but_CJC the_AT0 next_ORD day_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 bleeding_NN1 started_VVD and_CJC did_VDD n't_XX0 stop_VVI ._SENT The_AT0 doctor_NN1 said_VVD ,_PUN It_PNP 's_VBZ beginning_VVG ,_PUN and_CJC there_EX0 was_VBD nothing_PNI to_TO0 do_VDI ._SENT Heath_NP0 kissed_VVD my_DPS forehead_NN1 ,_PUN tried_VVD to_TO0 fold_VVI me_PNP into_PRP his_DPS arms_NN2 ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP could_VM0 n't_XX0 let_VVI him_PNP hold_VVI me_PNP ._SENT I_PNP locked_VVD myself_PNX in_PRP the_AT0 bathroom_NN1 with_PRP the_AT0 baby_NN1 books_NN2 ,_PUN flipping_VVG through_PRP them_PNP carefully_AV0 ,_PUN and_CJC nowhere_AV0 was_VBD it_PNP written_VVN how_AVQ to_TO0 reverse_VVI time_NN1 or_CJC spark_VVB a_AT0 heartbeat_NN1 ._SENT How_AVQ to_TO0 make_VVI a_AT0 womb_NN1 worthy_AJ0 ._SENT I_PNP tore_VVD the_AT0 pages_NN2 out_AVP in_PRP handfuls_NN2 and_CJC flushed_VVD them_PNP down_AVP the_AT0 toilet_NN1 ,_PUN watched_VVD as_CJS they_PNP swirled_VVD back_AVP up_AVP in_PRP soggy_AJ0 clumps_NN2 and_CJC came_VVD to_TO0 rest_VVI at_PRP my_DPS feet_NN2 ._SENT Later_AV0 ,_PUN in_PRP the_AT0 shower_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS baby_NN1 would_VM0 come_VVI out_AVP that_DT0 way_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP saw_VVD the_AT0 first_ORD baby_NN1 part_NN1 in_PRP a_AT0 bouquet_NN1 of_PRF marigolds_NN2 Heath_NP0 brought_VVD home_AV0 that_DT0 night_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 small_AJ0 slit_NN1 of_PRF sex_NN1 resting_VVG among_PRP the_AT0 petals_NN2 —_PUN a_AT0 girl_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD afraid_AJ0 to_TO0 blink_VVI ,_PUN in_PRP case_NN1 it_PNP disappeared_VVD ._SENT She_PNP was_VBD with_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN talking_VVG to_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN which_DTQ meant_VVD maybe_AV0 I_PNP could_VM0 talk_VVI back_AVP ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD glad_AJ0 to_TO0 see_VVI her_PNP ,_PUN even_AV0 in_PRP this_DT0 way_NN1 ;_PUN if_CJS a_AT0 tiny_AJ0 ear_NN1 appeared_VVD ,_PUN I_PNP 'd_VM0 whisper_VVI into_PRP it_PNP how_AVQ much_DT0 she_PNP 'd_VHD been_VBN wanted_VVN ._SENT But_CJC over_PRP time_NN1 ,_PUN these_DT0 signs_NN2 began_VVD to_TO0 feel_VVI less_AV0 like_PRP benedictions_NN2 ,_PUN more_AV0 like_PRP blame_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 tell_VVI Heath_NN1 ;_PUN this_DT0 was_VBD for_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 need_VVI a_AT0 psychiatrist_NN1 to_TO0 understand_VVI what_DTQ these_DT0 visions_NN2 were_VBD —_PUN a_AT0 reminder_NN1 of_PRF how_AVQ the_AT0 baby_NN1 would_VM0 have_VHI developed_VVN if_CJS she_PNP were_VBD still_AV0 safe_AJ0 inside_NN1 of_PRF me_PNP ._SENT 
The_AT0 moon_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN replaced_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 buttery_AJ0 glow_NN1 of_PRF midafter­noon_NN1 sun_NN1 when_CJS I_PNP 'm_VBB woken_VVN by_PRP my_DPS phone_NN1 ringing_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP know_VVB without_PRP looking_VVG it_PNP 'll_VM0 be_VBI my_DPS mother_NN1 or_CJC Heath_NN1 ._SENT By_PRP now_AV0 ,_PUN no_AT0 one_PNI else_AV0 bothers_VVZ to_TO0 call_VVI ._SENT 
"_PUQ Hello_ITJ ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ You_PNP 're_VBB still_AV0 in_PRP bed_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ Heath_NP0 says_VVZ ._SENT Not_XX0 a_AT0 question_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Yes_ITJ ._SENT "_PUQ 
The_AT0 college_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN kind_NN1 ,_PUN allowing_VVG me_PNP to_TO0 stretch_VVI the_AT0 interpretation_NN1 of_PRF "_PUQ sick_AJ0 leave_NN1 "_PUQ these_DT0 last_ORD few_DT0 months_NN2 ,_PUN as_CJS long_AV0 as_CJS the_AT0 job_NN1 gets_VVZ done_VDN ._SENT I_PNP 've_VHB covered_VVN my_DPS bases_NN2 diligently_AV0 :_PUN all_DT0 accounts_NN2 manned_VVN ,_PUN no_AT0 client_NN1 left_VVD untended_AJ0 ._SENT Mostly_AV0 I_PNP work_VVB from_PRP home_NN1 ,_PUN running_VVG formulaic_AJ0 programs_NN2 that_CJT allow_VVB financial_AJ0 aid_NN1 to_TO0 go_VVI through_PRP so_AV0 students_NN2 can_VM0 buy_VVI their_DPS textbooks_NN2 and_CJC birth_NN1 control_NN1 ,_PUN stock_VVB their_DPS shelves_NN2 with_PRP Top_AJ0 Ramen_NN2 ._SENT But_CJC Heath_NP0 knows_VVZ my_DPS primary_AJ0 post_NN1 is_VBZ my_DPS bed_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS real_AJ0 work_NN1 the_AT0 practice_NN1 of_PRF forgetting_VVG through_PRP sleep_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ You_PNP have_VHB to_TO0 pick_VVI Nila_NP0 up_AVP from_PRP school_NN1 today_AV0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
I_PNP bring_VVB my_DPS free_AJ0 hand_NN1 to_PRP my_DPS face_NN1 and_CJC examine_VVB the_AT0 fingers_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 pinkish_AJ0 white_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS nails_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 frayed_AJ0 cuticles_NN2 holding_VVG them_PNP in_PRP place_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP bring_VVB them_PNP to_PRP my_DPS mouth_NN1 and_CJC bite_VVB away_AV0 the_AT0 excess_AJ0 skin_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Are_VBB you_PNP there_AV0 ?_SENT "_PUQ Heath_NP0 asks_VVZ ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP hear_VVB an_AT0 edge_NN1 of_PRF worry_NN1 in_PRP his_DPS voice_NN1 ,_PUN expertly_AV0 mixed_VVN with_PRP a_AT0 dash_NN1 of_PRF irritation_NN1 —_PUN our_DPS most_DT0 common_AJ0 cocktail_NN1 these_DT0 days_NN2 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Yes_ITJ ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP say_VVB ,_PUN still_AV0 gnawing_VVG ._SENT My_DPS stomach_NN1 rumbles_VVZ ._SENT 
"_PUQ Rayna_NP0 ._SENT ._SENT ._SENT you_PNP promised_VVD you_PNP would_VM0 spend_VVI the_AT0 day_NN1 with_PRP her_PNP ._SENT "_PUQ He_PNP pauses_VVZ ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 space_NN1 between_PRP us_PNP hisses_VVZ with_PRP static_AJ0 ,_PUN his_DPS wishes_NN2 and_CJC mine_NN1 distorted_VVN through_PRP the_AT0 phone_NN1 lines_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ Please_AV0 ,_PUN "_PUQ Heath_NP0 says_VVZ ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP sigh_VVB ._SENT Now_AV0 that_CJT I_PNP 'm_VBB pitiful_AJ0 ,_PUN I_PNP 'm_VBB a_AT0 sucker_NN1 for_PRP beggars_NN2 ._SENT 
"_PUQ I_PNP 'm_VBB getting_VVG up_AVP ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP tell_VVB him_PNP ._SENT I_PNP work_VVB up_AVP a_AT0 spit_NN1 in_PRP my_DPS mouth_NN1 ,_PUN swallow_VVB the_AT0 torn-off_AJ0 skin_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP park_VVB on_PRP the_AT0 street_NN1 ,_PUN outside_PRP the_AT0 circle_NN1 of_PRF mothers_NN2 and_CJC fathers_NN2 corralled_VVN along_PRP the_AT0 drive_NN1 marked_VVN for_PRP child_NN1 pick-up_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 children_NN2 are_VBB hazy_AJ0 with_PRP movement_NN1 ,_PUN erratic_AJ0 bits_NN2 of_PRF color_NN1 sprinting_VVG from_PRP the_AT0 school_NN1 ,_PUN waving_VVG papers_NN2 ,_PUN some_DT0 carrying_VVG retro_AJ0 plastic_NN1 lunch_NN1 boxes_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 kind_NN1 I_PNP used_VVD to_TO0 beg_VVI my_DPS mother_NN1 for_PRP ._SENT Everything_PNI always_AV0 comes_VVZ back_AVP ._SENT The_AT0 children_NN2 screech_VVB like_PRP seabirds_NN2 and_CJC collide_VVB with_PRP their_DPS parents_NN2 with_PRP the_AT0 same_DT0 energy_NN1 as_PRP waves_NN2 meeting_VVG the_AT0 shore_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP shield_VVB my_DPS eyes_NN2 and_CJC search_NN1 for_PRP Nila_NP0 in_PRP the_AT0 crowd_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP see_VVB her_PNP among_PRP all_DT0 the_AT0 others_NN2 at_PRP the_AT0 edge_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 curb_NN1 ,_PUN her_DPS tongue_NN1 poked_VVD out_AVP in_PRP concentration_NN1 ,_PUN looking_VVG for_PRP me_PNP ._SENT At_PRP the_AT0 sight_NN1 of_PRF her_PNP ,_PUN a_AT0 pang_NN1 starts_VVZ up_AVP in_PRP my_DPS stomach_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 kind_NN1 of_PRF knocking_NN1 ,_PUN some_DT0 feeling_NN1 asking_VVG to_TO0 be_VBI acknowledged_VVN ._SENT My_DPS hand_NN1 is_VBZ on_PRP the_AT0 keys_NN2 and_CJC the_AT0 gas_NN1 tank_NN1 marked_VVD full_AJ0 ._SENT It_PNP would_VM0 be_VBI easy_AJ0 to_TO0 drive_VVI away_AV0 before_CJS I_PNP 'm_VBB spotted_VVN ._SENT I_PNP could_VM0 vanish_VVI —_PUN follow_VVB the_AT0 wet_AJ0 summery_AJ0 air_NN1 down_PRP an_AT0 unfamiliar_AJ0 highway_NN1 and_CJC try_VVB to_TO0 escape_VVI the_AT0 little_AJ0 legs_NN2 dancing_VVG on_PRP my_DPS kitchen_NN1 counter_NN1 ,_PUN or_CJC the_AT0 lungs_NN2 the_AT0 size_NN1 of_PRF kidney_NN1 beans_NN2 wheezing_VVG from_PRP the_AT0 nightstand_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP imagine_VVB cracked_AJ0 earth_NN1 ;_PUN giant_AJ0 saguaro_NN1 ;_PUN the_AT0 hot_AJ0 air_NN1 drying_VVG the_AT0 farther_AJC west_NN1 I_PNP ride_VVB and_CJC the_AT0 sun_NN1 sinking_VVG red_AJ0 ._SENT Out_AVP there_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP would_VM0 track_VVI vipers_NN2 through_PRP the_AT0 bleached_AJ0 sand_NN1 and_CJC lie_VVB beneath_PRP the_AT0 moon_NN1 's_POS cool_AJ0 regard_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS belly_NN1 full_AJ0 and_CJC swaying_VVG with_PRP meat_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 coyotes_NN2 would_VM0 sing_VVI my_DPS lullaby_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP pull_VVB the_AT0 key_NN1 from_PRP the_AT0 ignition_NN1 and_CJC get_VVB out_AVP of_PRF the_AT0 car_NN1 ,_PUN cross_VVB the_AT0 street_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC hold_VVB my_DPS hand_NN1 high_AV0 ._SENT I_PNP wave_VVB ._SENT It_PNP 's_VHZ been_VBN almost_AV0 five_CRD weeks_NN2 since_CJS I_PNP 've_VHB seen_VVN her_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP 'd_VHD forgotten_VVN her_DPS six-year-old_NN1 's_POS exuberance_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 brightness_NN1 of_PRF her_DPS hair_NN1 ,_PUN that_CJT she_PNP loves_VVZ me_PNP ._SENT She_PNP throws_VVZ her_DPS arms_NN2 around_PRP my_DPS waist_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC her_DPS stomach_NN1 ,_PUN soft_AJ0 and_CJC plump_AJ0 ,_PUN pushes_VVZ against_PRP me_PNP ._SENT I_PNP hold_VVB her_PNP away_AV0 from_PRP my_DPS body_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 shoulders_NN2 ,_PUN look_VVB into_PRP her_DPS face_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC feel_VVB nothing_PNI but_CJC appetite_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Let_VVB 's_VBZ get_VVI some_DT0 food_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP say_VVB ,_PUN trying_VVG on_PRP a_AT0 smile_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 stretched_AJ0 thing_NN1 ._SENT 
At_PRP the_AT0 car_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP buckle_VVB Nila_NP0 into_PRP the_AT0 backseat_NN1 and_CJC she_PNP tells_VVZ me_PNP about_PRP Jupiter_NP0 's_POS moons_NN2 and_CJC clouds_NN2 of_PRF space_NN1 dust_NN1 where_AVQ stars_NN2 are_VBB born_VVN ._SENT She_PNP tells_VVZ me_PNP about_PRP gravity_NN1 ,_PUN how_AVQ it_PNP keeps_VVZ us_PNP pinned_VVD to_PRP Earth_NN1 and_CJC makes_VVZ apples_NN2 fall_VVB from_PRP trees_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ We_PNP did_VDD drawings_NN2 today_AV0 ,_PUN "_PUQ she_PNP says_VVZ ,_PUN and_CJC promises_VVZ to_TO0 show_VVI me_PNP later_AV0 ._SENT I_PNP know_VVB what_DTQ I_PNP 'm_VBB supposed_AJ0 to_TO0 say_VVI ,_PUN but_CJC ca_VM0 n't_XX0 ._SENT I_PNP am_VBB a_AT0 dead_AJ0 satellite_NN1 ,_PUN picking_VVG up_AVP information_NN1 but_CJC relaying_VVG nothing_PNI back_AVP ._SENT She_PNP 's_VBZ a_AT0 smart_AJ0 kid_NN1 ,_PUN she_PNP senses_VVZ this_DT0 ._SENT She_PNP tells_VVZ me_PNP she_PNP missed_VVD me_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC because_CJS I_PNP 'm_VBB trying_VVG ,_PUN because_CJS I_PNP love_VVB her_PNP ,_PUN I_PNP lie_VVB ._SENT 
"_PUQ I_PNP missed_VVD you_PNP ,_PUN too_AV0 ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP say_VVB ,_PUN and_CJC guide_VVB the_AT0 car_NN1 onto_PRP the_AT0 road_NN1 ._SENT 
Heath_NP0 and_CJC the_AT0 ex-wife_NN1 have_VHB agreed_VVN Nila_NP0 must_VM0 eat_VVI vegetables_NN2 with_PRP every_AT0 meal_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 helping_NN1 of_PRF fresh_AJ0 fruit_NN0 and_CJC whole_AJ0 grains_NN2 with_PRP little_AJ0 allowance_NN1 for_PRP processed_AJ0 junk_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP order_VVB bacon_NN1 cheeseburgers_NN2 and_CJC large_AJ0 fries_NN2 at_PRP Wendy_NP0 's_POS and_CJC we_PNP eat_VVB them_PNP in_PRP the_AT0 parking_NN1 lot_NN1 ,_PUN sharing_VVG a_AT0 chocolate_NN1 Frosty_AJ0 between_PRP us_PNP ,_PUN dipping_VVG our_DPS fries_NN2 into_PRP it_PNP ,_PUN getting_VVG brain_NN1 freeze_NN1 as_PRP the_AT0 cold_NN1 saturates_VVZ our_DPS teeth_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP let_VVB her_PNP gulp_VVI down_AVP my_DPS orange_AJ0 soda_NN1 between_PRP sloppy_AJ0 ,_PUN open-mouthed_AJ0 bites_NN2 ,_PUN flick_VVB away_AV0 the_AT0 bit_NN1 of_PRF hamburger_NN1 and_CJC bread_NN1 left_VVN on_PRP the_AT0 straw_NN1 like_PRP a_AT0 flea_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Our_DPS secret_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP tell_VVB her_PNP with_PRP a_AT0 cartoon_NN1 wink_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Can_VM0 we_PNP go_VVI to_PRP the_AT0 toy_NN1 store_NN1 after_PRP ?_SENT "_PUQ 
I_PNP recognize_VVB the_AT0 hard_AJ0 bargain_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 first_ORD experiment_NN1 with_PRP parental_AJ0 blackmail_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC do_VDB n't_XX0 resist_VVI ._SENT From_PRP the_AT0 early_AJ0 childhood_NN1 development_NN1 books_NN2 I_PNP 'd_VHD devoured_VVN ,_PUN I_PNP know_VVB this_DT0 type_NN1 of_PRF thing_NN1 is_VBZ natural_AJ0 ._SENT A_AT0 sign_NN1 of_PRF normal_AJ0 growth_NN1 ._SENT At_PRP the_AT0 toy_NN1 store_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP give_VVB her_PNP a_AT0 quarter_NN1 ,_PUN watch_VVB her_PNP insert_VVI it_PNP into_PRP the_AT0 crank_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 dilapidated_AJ0 gumball_NN1 machine_NN1 and_CJC grin_NN1 as_PRP the_AT0 ball_NN1 spirals_VVZ down_AVP the_AT0 chute_NN1 into_PRP her_DPS waiting_AJ0 hand_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP watch_VVB her_DPS mouth_NN1 become_VVI a_AT0 red_AJ0 ruin_NN1 as_CJS she_PNP chews_VVZ ,_PUN her_DPS small_AJ0 ,_PUN perfect_AJ0 teeth_NN2 smeared_VVN with_PRP candy_NN1 blood_NN1 ._SENT 
We_PNP do_VDB Nila_NP0 's_POS homework_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 dining_NN1 room_NN1 table_NN1 ;_PUN she_PNP 's_VBZ still_AV0 babbling_VVG ,_PUN her_PNP mind_VVB a_AT0 constant_AJ0 river_NN1 ,_PUN surging_VVG forward_AV0 ,_PUN changing_AJ0 course_NN1 ._SENT Unlike_PRP her_DPS father_NN1 ,_PUN she_PNP requires_VVZ only_AV0 modest_AJ0 participation_NN1 ._SENT She_PNP tells_VVZ me_PNP that_CJT the_AT0 only_AJ0 place_NN1 as_CJS strange_AJ0 as_CJS space_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT0 sea_NN1 ._SENT Heath_NP0 will_VM0 be_VBI home_AV0 in_PRP an_AT0 hour_NN1 ,_PUN no_AV0 more_AV0 than_CJS two_CRD ,_PUN and_CJC then_AV0 I_PNP can_VM0 escape_VVI this_DT0 ,_PUN crawl_VVB into_PRP my_DPS bed_NN1 and_CJC lie_VVB naked_AJ0 beneath_PRP the_AT0 sheets_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP scribble_VVB gray_AJ0 spirals_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 margins_NN2 of_PRF her_DPS papers_NN2 with_PRP one_CRD of_PRF her_DPS fat_AJ0 school_NN1 pencils_NN2 and_CJC imagine_VVB myself_PNX disappearing_VVG ._SENT 
"_PUQ Look_VVB ,_PUN "_PUQ Nila_NP0 says_VVZ ,_PUN fetching_VVG a_AT0 construction_NN1 paper_NN1 cube_NN1 from_PRP her_DPS backpack_NN1 ,_PUN pride_NN1 glowing_VVG in_PRP the_AT0 focused_AJ0 point_NN1 of_PRF her_DPS face_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 cube_NN1 is_VBZ only_AV0 slightly_AV0 smushed_AJ0 ._SENT "_PUQ I_PNP made_VVD this_DT0 ._SENT "_PUQ Its_DPS six_CRD sides_NN2 are_VBB different_AJ0 colored_AJ0 papers_NN2 taped_VVD together_AV0 and_CJC each_DT0 one_PNI bears_VVZ a_AT0 face_NN1 drawn_VVN in_PRP Magic_AJ0 Marker_NN1 and_CJC Crayola_NP0 ._SENT 
