Page 22 of Unexpected Adventures

“Eventually,” he says.

“Well,” Denise starts. “Why don’t we let my sis change and she can join you on that walk? It’s a beautiful morning.”

“I’ll meet you downstairs,” Shaun says.

“Um, sure, you betcha. Be down in a jiffy.”

Denise looks up, grinning between the two of us. “Run along with Shaun, little pooches.”As she stands, coming to my side, Shaun reluctantly turns to the door, whistling for the dogs.They eagerly follow. As he turns, he gives me a parting wink before closing the door behind him.

I collapse, back-side down, on the bed, letting out my breath in a big whoosh. “Holy macaroni!”

“Holy macaroni is right!” Denise crashes down on the bed, propping herself up on her elbow to look at me. “If I hadn’t walked in when I did, I think you’d have been screaming something entirely different right about now.”

I turn my head to look at her and burst into laughter. She joins in.

“Wow, Abby. He wants you. Maybe I should’ve backed out of the room and silently closed the door.”

“Oh, my goodness, no! I’m glad you didn’t.” I sit up in a panic, realizing how close I came to being in a situation I don’t think I’m ready to be in.

Denise sits up too, turning toward me, a look of concern marring her beautiful face.“Why not? You’re both grown adults. And you clearly want him.” She takes my hands in hers.“Don’t you?”

“I don’t know what I want. He makes me feel things I haven’t felt before. I don’t know what to do with these feelings.”

“Abby, what are you talking about?”

I bow my head, almost embarrassed to talk to my baby sister about the situation. As I look up at her, I see her concern, her love, and I know I can talk to her about anything.

“I have a confession, Denise,” I say timidly. “Oh, this is so stupid. This is crazy.”

“Abby, what is it?” Her impatience is obvious.

“I’m a virgin.” The words are barely out of my mouth, I’ve spoken them so softly.

“Wha… what did you say? Did you just say you’re a virgin?”

I only nod my head.

“How is that possible?” She sits up straighter, giving me a perplexed look. “You’re twenty-eight!”

“What does age have to do with it?” I say in frustration. “Is there some rule that you have to have had sex by a certain time? Never mind the fact I haven’t liked anyone well enough to want to take my clothes off in front of them, let alone engage in a sexual encounter with them!”

“I don’t know what to say. I’m, I’m…”

“Speechless?” I lightly say.

“Yes.” She looks at me as I drop my head down, really wanting to stop this conversation altogether. “Hey, Abbs, I’m sorry. Not that I expected you to tell me you’ve had twenty lovers, I guess I just thought, well, I just thought…”

“You thought, being the oldest sister who went out in the world first, I must have that kind of experience. I mean, who doesn’t have sex by, what, freshman year of college?”

“Try freshman year of high school.”

“You didn’t?”

“No! Not me. I mean, I waited until I was a senior. I’m just saying, many kids are doing it younger and younger these days.”

“Great. Not only am I way behind the times, but the morality of our youth is going down the crapper. Well, I’m glad I’m not a follower.”

“That’s for sure.”

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