Them.

And peace resided in her heart.

The eye in the sky watched over the canine children at play. Eye am watching the keeds play in the ocean. I. Merilee the shipmate and the helpmeet.

Alyosha, the wise author and purveyor of this luscious moment, says, THE WORK ADAY WAY TO ONENESS IS SIMPLICITY ?SELF. SAY WHAT YOU DO AS YOU DO IT AND KNOW IT'S TRUE.

Works like this: I am in my house. I am watching the keeds play on the beach. I am watching Alfred watch Girl go horsing around for joy in the cold Pacific swells. I want Alfred to be renamed Boy if he is going to be Girl's boy. For symmetry I foster. There is a reason he can't be renamed which I don't remember right now. But I will remember some time which means it's all OK.

My name is Merilee. My last name is-I can't remember so I can't go outside yet but my middle name I know is Anne. And sometime soon I will recall my other name and then I can go to the store because I am very hungry.

We are very hungry?

I do not know about this we. I know I and that's enough for now. Twenty-three years of struggle and suffering to know so much. Renfro. Merilee Anne Renfro, 262 Eucalyptus Way, South San Angel, Calif. 353-0101. I am eight and I'm not supposed to talk to strangers. Always have though. Or men in cars with candy.

On the outer edge of her bed by the window overlooking the sea there was a nude body. Coming between Merliee and the food. Many things come between Merilee and Food. Putting on a clothes does. Driving the car does. Shopping cart does. Hassle does. Does do. Money do.

Black curls, the heavy head of Samson lying on big pink marble arms. He stares at the dead white wall nine long inches away.

I am Merilee I know, but who is this? Sorrow? Mountain, rock, hill, valley, breathing thing, pulsating along on his theta waves.

5. Assurances. Now we are six revisited

Don't be afraid Merilee. The worst you could have done is open yourself to this man and let him come inside.

I am not afraid. In Tulsa Dad worked on a derrick and when he came home he was covered with black oil. His hands. Did he know who I was? Did Dad know Merilee had set up house in the shower stall behind the shower curtain in the bathroom? To his wife Ada he said "One more crack like that and as sure as your ass is brown this boy is gone gone gone."

Ada made a crack. Now forgotten.