Brain rats, I’ve got brain rats.A pestilential blight upon my mind.

They torture with such cunning likelittle Marquises de SadeAnd wreak unstinting havocbeneath my cool facade.They tell me I’m worse than everyone;My problems can’t be solved,And I’m the piece of crap aroundwhich this whole world revolves.

Barbara McAfee, fromthe song “Brain Rats”1

 

chapter threeBrain Ratsaddressing fear

Brain RatsThe Song

In between contractions, my friend raises her head from the pillows and says, “I’m not having this damn baby!”

Her belly is huge.

She’s been in labor for five hours.

The midwife is present.

The nursery is ready.

I’m there as ...

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