The prude part 2

The door to the dorms opens, just as Maggie puts the vacuum back. “Hellooo? Are my little girls in here?” A man peeks through the door.

“Dad!” Maggie runs over and hugs him. “Mom! It’s so great to see you two!”, she says when she spots her mother too.

“Hey dear.” Her mother kisses her on the cheek. “Where is your sister?”

“Oh, she’s just taking out the trash. She should be right back.”

Her parents look around the room, with big smiles on their faces. “Well look at you! All grown up, with your own place.”, says her mother. She looks at the blanket on the floor. “Wait a second. I’ll quickly…”, says Maggie before picking it up and neatly putting it on the bed. “This is better.” However, in the process of doing so, a condom out of the sheets onto the floor. With a red face, Maggie puts it into the trash bin. She tries not to think about where it’s been.

“Oh honey, no need to be ashamed! I’m so proud of you. Finally getting out!” Her mother pokes Maggie’s ribs “living the college life amirite?”

“Oh! Well…” Maggie is interrupted by her sister entering. “MOM! DAD! I’ve missed you!” They hug.

“So, did Maggie show you around already?”

“No, we’ve just arrived.” Says Dad.

“Oh great! So this is our room. This is my bed.” Liz points at the freshly made bed. “And this is Maggie’s bed.” She points at Liz’ bed.

Mom and Dad exchange looks before subtly looking at Maggie.

“Come on, we’ll show you the rest of campus.” Liz is all cheerful and takes her dad’s hand, leading the band outside.

They walk through the hallways towards the building entrance, while Liz points out all her of friends’ dorm rooms.

As they walk across campus, Mom falls back a bit taking Maggie to her side.

“So that wasn’t your…'s?”, she asks quietly.

Maggie shakes her head. “Baby… What are you doing?” “What do you mean, Mom?”

Her mom stops for a second. “You’re in college, now! This is the time of your life. You’re young and before you know it you won’t be.” She pauses. “I just want you to be happy, like Liz.”

“But I am happy!”, the way Maggie says it, it sounds more like a question. “And I’m not like Liz! I’m happy when I earn good grades. Not by… whoring around!”

“Magdalena Berkovitz, don’t talk about your sister like that!” Another pause. “I’m sorry, I’m just worried you’ll look back one day and wonder what could’ve been. I really just want what’s best for you.”

“ARE YOU TWO COMING?” Liz and her father are waiting ahead.

Maggie and her Mom quickly catch up and the twins show them the rest of the campus. But Maggie keeps quiet for the most part, thinking about what her mother said.

In the evening, when their parents are done, something rare occurs in the girls' dorm. Liz is reading a book, while Maggie is not.

“Do you think I’m… prude?” Maggie asks staring at the ceiling.

“What? No!” Liz puts the book aside. “Why would you say that?” Her face displays a look of genuine confusion.

“Mom said- ughh- Mom said I should go out more. Be happy. Be like you.”

“Maggie. You don’t need to be like me. And I’m sure Mom didn’t mean it like that. Just do what makes you happy.”

“But I’m happy with my grades! I don’t need to party. I don’t need a lot of friends. I’m happy here. In my room- our room.”

A tear runs down her cheek. Liz comes over and wipes it up with her finger before hugging her sister. “Just keep being yourself. Mom’ll eventually see you’re alright. You know best, what’s best for yourself.”

“Thank you, Liz.”