Virginity

"The thing is," Sara says, "I'm still a virgin."

"Nothing wrong with that," you say. "Although most girls your age have moved past."

She smiles. "I'm ready to move past it, too."

"You're a very pretty girl. I feel confident you won't have any problems."

"But... I'm not like those other girls."

"I don't think any of the girls are like each other. Each is unique."

Sara sighs. "Fine. I'll just say it. No one but my husband can take my virginity."

Well, that doesn't sound like much fun.

"Fortunately we live in an era where women can make that choice," you say. "You aren't still thinking about Erwin for the role, are you?"

"Of course not. I'm thinking about you."

Oh, shit. You definitely should have seen that one coming.

"I'm not a great candidate," you admit. "I don't have a job. I'm not the same religion as you. And, well, I'm not planning on giving up my relationship with the other girls." Not limited to just the girls on the van, either."

"Oh, no," she says. "I wouldn't ask that. King Soloman had hundreds of wives and concubines. King David, who was the man most loved by God, had tons also. I certainly wouldn't expect to be your only wife. But... I know I'm not that special. I mean, I couldn't even get Erwin interested in years of trying."

"Stop that right now," you say. "You couldn't get Erwin interested because God made him that way. It has nothing to do with how special you are."

"But the church says--"

"Churches say lots of things. Some of them are really useful. Some of them are just things they say that don't have any content. And some are positively harmful. And believing that it was your responsibility to 'cure' Erwin when he isn't sick is one of those."

"If you say so." You must not have been as convincing as you intended because she still sounds doubtful.

"So," she finally says after the silence grows uncomfortable. "Are you going to ask me to marry you?"