Lose Virginity

YET, Marie clarifies. It’s not a problem YET, she adds. ‘You know how teenagers are. It’s only a matter of time before she starts experimenting, and once she does…that’ll be IT…we WON’T be able to protect her anymore,’ Marie says. Doesn’t he WANT to protect her?, Marie asks Steve. That’s not fair, of COURSE he wants to protect her, and Marie knows that, but…but not like THIS, Steve says. She’s his DAUGHTER for god’s sake, he says. ‘She’s your STEP-daughter, and in this situation, that distinction makes ALL the difference,’ Marie says. Steve scoffs, still unconvinced. ‘Steve…do you trust me?’ Marie asks him. Yes, he trusts her, Steve says quietly. So trust her on THIS, Marie says. He nods wordlessly. It’s time, Marie says patiently. He sighs loudly. Jesus Christ, what the hell are they doing?, he wonders aloud quietly. ‘Lindsay! Can you come into your room please?’ Marie calls to another room.

After a moment, Lindsay (Jaye Summers) walks in. Marie smiles warmly, but Steve still looks serious. Lindsay can obviously tell that something’s up. Um…what are they doing in her room? What’s wrong?, she asks suspiciously. Marie clears her throat. They have to talk to her, Marie says. Okaaay, Lindsay says, still suspicious. Well, they…they wanted to talk to her about…some changes that are coming, Marie begins. The kinds of changes that they’re talking about are…changes that SHE’LL be experiencing, Marie continues. Lindsay laughs. Oh god, are they about to give her THE TALK?!, Lindsay asks with dread. ‘I’m 18. I know all about the birds and the bees, so let’s just spare us all a whole lot of embarrassment,’ Lindsay says good-naturedly.

Yes, they know that she’s well aware of how things…work, Marie says. But…Lindsay is a beautiful young woman, and soon…soon–if not ALREADY–she’ll have lots of boys chasing after her, Marie says. And these boys only have one thing on their mind, Marie continues. Woah, now they’re REALLY freaking her out…what the hell is going on?, Lindsay asks, her alarm bells going off. Well, Lindsay’s told her that she’s still a virgin, Marie says. But the fact is that she’s NOT going to stay a virgin for long, Marie continues. And these…these boys who want to…who want to TAKE that from her…they DON’T have her best interests in mind, Marie says. But as her parents…THEY do, Marie continues. But if Lindsay’s going to lose her virginity, Marie wants it to be with someone Lindsay trusts, someone she…loves, Marie says. Marie adds that they just want to protect her, so…’Honey, we want you to lose your virginity…to your father,’ Marie says delicately.

Lindsay is disgusted and wants nothing to do with their plan, but through finely crafted fear-mongering, Marie seems to be doing a good job of convincing Lindsay that this is the right thing. O-ok…she’ll do it, Lindsay says finally.