Yes, at least for tonight

We watch the movie together quietly, occasionally commenting about the characters. When Alison makes a comment about how pretty Emma Watson is I assure her that she is easily as pretty as the sexy actress. We laugh a little at the character of Gaston who in spite of his boorishness seems harmless enough. Alison is a little skeptical about how the girls of the village (except for Belle) seem to find Gaston attractive.

“He's so stupid.” She laughs, “How could anyone find him attractive?”

“He's like the star quarterback in a typical high school.” I try to explain, “I've certainly seen how even smart girls react to dumb jocks like that.” Too late I remember that Alison went to an all-girls Catholic school and that she didn't have any boys in her classes. Luckily, it seems that at least some of her friends have fallen for 'bad boys.'

“But why?” Alison asks as the movie continues unwatched. Her cheeks brighten a little as we chat, but she is determined to get my opinion. “Why do 'good girls' let themselves be taken in by those jerks?” I wonder if she's thinking about 'Dick' as I answer the question carefully.

“I think it's biology, Angel.” I tell her. “For tens of thousands of years women have sought out the strongest workers, best hunters and fiercest warriors. They valued this in males because it was the best way to judge if their mates would have the virility to give them babies and the ability to provide for them and protect them from other men.” The way her hands curl around her abdomen suggests that somewhere deep inside her Alison has had these same feelings even if she cannot make them mesh with her conservative religious values.

“Even if what you are saying is true, Mr. P,” the pretty blonde coed argues, “that's not what makes a man successful today. I would want a well-educated man with a strong moral compass for a husband, not some stupid jock who doesn't value me as a partner.” I have to suppress the urge to ask her about 'Dick.' That asshole might not be a jock, but he's definitely a jerk who only cares about himself. Instead, I return to my original point.

“But that's only been true for a couple hundred years at the most.” I remind her, “before that a man's value was pretty much defined by his physical prowess and self-confidence.” I shrug my shoulders, “Just like women are prized for their youth, good health, child-bearing hips and plump tits. It's biology.” I hadn't meant to offend Alison, but her eyes lower and shoulders slump.

“Richard says they're too small. He wants me to get implants.” The words are so soft I only just hear them, and my hands tighten into fists involuntarily.

“That young man is an idiot.” I snap back, only just barely avoiding calling him 'Dick'. “Your breasts are perfect. Don't you dare change them.”

“I want to be able to breast-feed my babies, Mr. P; if they're too small I won't be able to make enough milk.” The mental picture of a fat baby suckling at her swollen tit takes my breath away but as soon as I recover, I do my best to reassure the nervous teen.

“Don't worry, Honey.” I do my best to hide my growing erection as I consider her plump little B-cups, “They're plenty big right now, and they'll grow even bigger when you start lactating.”

“Thanks, Mr. P.” Her doe-eyes are sparkling when they lift to meet mine. “You're the best.”

“I thought you didn't want to have kids.” Her cheeks turn a bright red, but her answer is unequivocal.

“Oh I do, Mr. P!” Her hand moves again to her belly, and I don't think she even knows she's doing it. “I just can't while I'm in college. Then, once I'm married, I want a bunch - maybe four or five.”

“You want to be a homemaker, like your mom?” When she nods in agreement, I ask the obvious follow-up. “Then why bother with college?” I read the confusion and uncertainty in her expressive eyes before they drop down again to where her hands are twisting anxiously on her lap.

“I don't know, Mr. P.” She sounds like she's about to cry. “It seemed like what I was supposed to do, and I wanted to see more than just Tennessee before I settled down.”

“Don't worry about it, Alison.” I try to ease her mind, “college is where you go to figure out what you really want from life.” I turn my attention back to the TV and am a little surprised to see Belle is already at the Beast's castle. Alison follows my lead and by the time Belle and the Beast are swirling around in the ballroom she is back to her smiling self.