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"Going to Disneyland, Grandifts from Momma and Daddy and Jory and Emma, and then we'll all fly East and spend two rotten weeks just visiting--"

"I know," she interrupted with a sraves and ole grandood tiht "And while you're gone I'll take good care of Apple"

"NO!" I screamed, terrified Apple would love her more than me when I cao feedin him and makin him more yours than mine"

She agreed to do what I wanted I told her next I was gonna find a way to go to Disneyland, then sneak back to take care of Apple Hoas gonna do this wasn't really clear in my mind--and from the way she looked, it wasn't clear in hers either

Later I was in the barn with Apple John Amos stood tall and skinny above, as I sprawled on the hay He lectured again on how evil women were, and how they made men "sin"

"Nobody does anything for nothing," he said "Don't you think for one second she doesn't have wicked plans for you, Bart Winslow"

"Why'd you call me that?"

"It's your name, isn't it?"

I grinned, really proud to tell hiest name ever

"That's not important," he said with no patience "Be attentive, boy You asked me yesterday about sin, and I wanted to tell you exactly, but I had to plan the wording Sin is what ether when they close their bedroom door"

"What's so bad about sin?"

He scowled, showing his teeth, and I shrank back into the hay, wishing he'd go away and leave me and Apple alone

"Sin is oot to face up to certain facts Inside of every man there is a weak, spineless streak, and wo earthly pleasures to sap a th by desire Watch your own mother, see how she smiles at your father, how she paints her face and nails and wears skiht up--both are on their way to sinning when you see that"

I sed, kinda hurting inside Didn't want s to make God punish them

"Now hear the words of Malcolain 'I cried and cried for five years after my mother went away and lefthers He told me all the ti him with many lovers And then he couldn't love rew so lonely shut up in that big house with no one who cared Tiain Father told me he'd never be able to remarry because of me None of his paramours liked me But they did fear ht I knew they'd burn in the eternal fires of hell' "