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“So this lasagna was excellent, Daddy, but I need to go get ready for my date with Jet. Mind if I’m excused?”
Usually, I don’t ask to be excused from the table, but tonight, it seems like the right thing to do. My father’s blue eyes flicker before growing bright. They become so hot, in fact, that they resemble azure laser beams.
“Actually, just a moment, Christy. Do you mind if we talk a little before you leave?”
I pause in the middle of getting up, and sit back down slowly. This is strange, but I decide to go with it.
“Of course not, Daddy. Why, what’s up?”
Bart takes a deep breath before his blue gaze meets mine.
“Well, I thought we’d have ‘the Talk.’”
I stare at him.
“Is this about the birds and the bees, Bart? If so, I already know all about it,” I giggle. “I’ve known since middle school because you know they have that “Changes” course that teaches kids all about sex and love and relationships.”
Bart pins me with a look.
“Really? Sex and love and relationships? All three?”
I nod.
“I mean, we watched a lot of videos but the guidance counselor, Mrs. Loyola, was really nice. She said there were no stupid questions, so I definitely learned a lot.”
I can tell the man of the house is interested in finding out exactly what I learned, but he shakes his head and changes course.
“Well, I wanted to have this chat with you about more than sex and love and relationships. I wanted to talk to you about a promise that I made your mother.”
That makes me sit up straight.
“This is about Sharon?”
The handsome man nods his head, his big body tense. The air around us is quivering with energy, and I wait with bated breath.
“It’s about something I promised her on her deathbed. You know your mother was a strict Catholic, and she hoped that you would follow in her footsteps.”
I nod.
“Yes. I haven’t been going to services regularly, but I read the Bible every night and occasionally go to confession.”
Bart nods, his expression smooth.
“Good, good,” he says. But then he straightens. “The fact is that Sharon wanted me to make sure her little girl was taken care of, and that meant adhering to certain values. She wanted you to be pure, innocent, and kind to others.”
I smile at Bart.
“But I am! Or at least, I do the best I can.”
My handsome stepfather nods again.
“Yes, and I know you’ve done well, Christy. But one of the things your mom was hoping … well, this is a bit awkward to say, but she was hoping that you’d save yourself for the man you marry. She believed in the sanctity of marriage, and that you’d arrive at your wedding bed a virgin.”
I stare at the man of the house and then begin to laugh.
“Yes, I know, Daddy. You don’t have to worry about that. In fact, I’m a virgin right now because I know that’s what Mom hoped for me. I’m not going to let any man touch me until I know that he’s the one.”
“Good,” Bart growls with satisfaction after taking a deep breath. It’s as if he’s run a marathon, and is grateful to finish. Except, the conversation isn’t done yet.
