Baby
by
Leslie Doyle
CONTEST
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July 17, 200-

Dear Dr. O’Connor:

Per your departmental request, I herein enclose the LeJeune journal for your review.   Likely
the press coverage has already informed you of its general tenor.  What you might glean of
value from this more detailed account I will not guess.  Bear in mind that the enclosed diary
was composed by a frightened and confused LSU freshman.   It was retrieved on the
observatory floor of the State Capital from which the unfortunate child flung herself.  The
contents of the diary have led us to wrap investigations on three well-publicized campus
homicides.   The diary’s author was the obvious perpetrator of the deeds.  What dementia
might have motivated an attractive and apparently well-adjusted teen to perform such
mutilations?  I defer to your esteemed staff.  It is only the absence of the unborn infant which
still concerns my department.

Please inform my office if we can be of further assistance.  

Best Regards,

William Devine, Chief of Police, Baton Rouge

DIARY OF TERRALEE LeGEUNE:  FEBRUARY 5 - JUNE 23, 200-

February 5

Kappa Sigs can drink.  And I thought us Delta Gammas could pound.  Jägermeister – I swear
– never again.  I feel like a zombie.  

The cute Kappa who took me upstairs – Byron something? – I was too drunk to remember.  
Bynum, that’s it – Stephen Bynum.  I shouldn’t have let him but I was wasted. I’m sure we
didn’t have protection but I’m blessed.  Jesus will watch out for me. I’ll say a prayer right
now.  

February 7

I’d like to see Stephen again.  He was nice.  I hope he’s Catholic.  Mom and Dad might let
him visit this summer.  We could spend a day on the lake.

February 18

Went by Kappa Sigma house looking for Stephen.  A Kappa answered the door and just stared
at me like a horny idiot.  He said there “ain’t no” Stephen Bynum in Kappa Sigma.  Not in
Louisiana anyway.  I saw some of the brothers checking me out, giggling like little boys.  Are
they playing with me?   I’ve had enough hazing for one semester.  

February 19

There isn’t any Stephen Bynum enrolled.  I went to the library computer and did a search -
nothing.  Great.  I really liked him too.  Was I that drunk?  Did I dream the whole thing?

April 2

I don’t feel good.  At cross-country practice I had to stop half-way through the course.  I
threw up when I got back to the locker room.

April 6

I’m worse.  I’ve got bad stomach cramps.  I was going to the infirmary but Sheila said the
symptoms sound like you know what.  Great.  I’d better buy a test.

April 7

Positive.  Great.  Mom and Dad are going to kill me.  All they want for me is a law degree and
I can’t let this screw it up.  I can’t tell them.  I can’t tell anyone except Stephen.  I need a
plan.  I’ll hold Mom’s rosary and say a prayer for guidance.

May 12  

I never liked raw liver before.

May 15

Something’s wrong.  I can’t stop eating but I’m not gaining weight.  I look like a mess.  I
haven’t gone to the bathroom in three weeks.  My Baby is insane.  It’s talking to me in my
head.  I’ve tried everything but I can’t find Stephen.  Was he a phantom sent to ruin my life?

May 28

Sheila has an eye for me but she knows I’m not like that.  It never stopped her from flirting.  
Today I didn’t discourage her.  If she hadn’t left a razor on the sink it never would have
occurred to me.  She started to kiss me hard on the lips.  She went lower.  It was like Baby
did it for me.  God what a mess.  I won’t waste so much next time Baby - I promise.   I
guess you’re happy now because you stopped kicking.  Please stop that – it hurts and the
bruises on my stomach are ugly.

June 5

I went to the dining hall even though it was an hour before lunch.  I couldn’t wait.  I snuck
into the kitchen and went to the fridge where they keep the meat.  I got some sirloin but when
I closed the door fat Clement the chef was standing there.  He’s the one always making faces
and rude comments.  Today was no different.  He said he wouldn’t report me if I did him a
favor.   I looked up and saw his carving knife on the table.  I smiled at him - he smiled back.  
He kissed me and tried to pull my pants off.  Baby told me what to do.  

When I was doing it I saw my reflection in the refrigerator – gross!!  This isn’t Christian
behavior, even if it’s for a good cause like feeding a child.  I put fat Clement in the fridge.  He
didn’t weigh so much now.


June 10

Something unholy is growing in my stomach.  I’m going to kill it because it wants to kill me.  
It won’t stop kicking unless I give it what it wants and I won’t - never again.

The little bastard.  This is all I need with finals coming up.  Thank you Jesus - I’m still not
showing.  

June 15

I got a reference - a woman who can take care of my problem.  No questions asked.

June 20

She agreed to do it in my room if I paid in advance.  I was on the bed and she put a tube in
me.  She reached for a sponge but the tube started to move.  She pulled the tube - I felt it pull
back.  She pulled hard on the tube and only half of it came back out.  The end looked all
chewed up.  She started to say something- then she coughed and grabbed her chest.  She fell
over and stopped moving.  Baby was mad.  It started kicking like crazy.  I couldn’t take it.
God I’m sorry – please stop.  I didn’t want to but I didn’t have any choice.  I used scissors
this time.  It was easy and Baby stopped kicking.

June 23

It won’t die.  I have to do it myself.  I know how.  It’s getting dark.

I see the Huey Long statue.  I see campus.  I see the river.  I can see everything, even
Stephen Bynum.  I didn’t hear him walk up – he was just there. Baby got excited and started
kicking.  Stephen thanked me - something about service and sacrifice.  He said it wouldn’t be
long now and I’d be free.  I said go screw yourself Stephen - you’re evil and you put
something bad in me.  He reached for me but I pulled away.  Baby kicked like a horse.  
Stephen said he couldn’t let me do this.  He moved towards me.  His eyes looked like the
devil.  

I grabbed Mom’s rosary.  I closed my eyes and said Our Father as loud as I could.  Stephen
yelled like I’d kicked him in the nuts - I wish I had.  I opened my eyes - Stephen was gone.  
There’s only me and Baby.   The night air is cool – it feels nice.  Baby doesn’t think so.  It’s
trying to eat its way through my stomach.  Jesus please help it hurts…

This is the last thing I will write because I have to go.   Forgive me Mom and Dad.  Forgive
me Jesus.  Forgive me Baby.   I love you all.

The night is beautiful.   The river looks red.