Summary

Now 63 years old, Sweetness is living in a nursing home called Winston House. It is "small, homey, [and] cheaper" than the "big, expensive nursing homes outside the city" (4). Though she is not that old, she has needed "good care" since discovering she has "some creeping bone disease" (4). Though Sweetness struggles with the boredom, the doctors visit biweekly, and the nurses are kind. One of them kissed her when Sweetness told her she "was going to be a grandmother" (4). Her enthusiasm made Sweetness feel important.

She just received a note from Lula Ann with the announcement. Lula Ann had signed the note "Bride," but Sweetness dismissed it (4).

Though Lula Ann sounded happy in the letter, Sweetness is skeptical. She did not mention the father, so her excitement must just be "about the baby" (4). Sweetness cannot help but wonder how dark the father’s skin...