Summary

Cedar watches the news at her Songmaker parents' house, and they discuss the reversal of evolution. Cedar wonders aloud if the apocalypse is God's will. She tries to tell the Songmakers that she is pregnant, but finds herself unable to do so. Cedar returns to her own house, which overlooks a wooded area at the end of some old train tracks. She attempts to work on her magazine, reading an article about the Immaculate Conception asserting that Mary was impregnated after God whispered in her ear. Cedar wonders what God said, and what language He used. Suddenly, a woman's face appears on her computer screen and says “Hello...I am Mother. How are you today” (68).

Cedar tries to call her Songmaker parents and they do not answer. She sees a news report about “abnormalities” (69) in babies being born. Cedar busies herself...