One particularly hot and humid evening…

Bella was doing her homework while I was in front of the computer editing contract clauses when she suddenly blurts out.

“Dad, are you a virgin?”

Stopping dead on my tracks but still facing the computer screen.  I had the unpleasant experience of undertaking the  hard task of controlling an unconcious instinct to raise an eyebrow.  I then answered:

“Uhmm…….no. But what is your definition of a virgin?”  Curious to know what she had in mind.

“My teacher says it’s somebody who has never sinned.” She countered.

“OH! Well in that case, YEAH! I am a virgin!” I answered rather too quickly with a growing smirk on my face.

“No, you can’t be!” She shot back!

“And why the heck do you think not??” I asked in disbelief.  Somehow, it is hard for me to accept that my bubu bear has taken me down from the pedestal and now views me as an ordinary mortal.

“Dad, you told me of stories of you engaging in fist fights when you were younger and how you had low grades because you didn’t study.  Those are sins ya know.”  She nonchalantly explained.

“Yes, but I have gone to confession for those sins and have been subsequently been forgiven, so that makes me a virgin again.”  I answered with a wink.

At this point, I guess, she has lost all patience with me and reacted like she normally does when I tell her something that she believes is nothing but bullcrap.

“Uh! Whatever Dad!”

I know I know.  Can you guys blame me for trying to salvage a little self-respect in the eyes of my kids? LOL