"Improv-" "My father's Love Letters - Assignment - Week 3 - "The Virgin Inquisition"

     My mother did not have the opportunity or interest to attend college.  She dropped out of high school 2 months shy of graduation to marry my father, and she certainly wasn't pregnant.  Her education was garnered  from The Bible, country preachers, and the wisdom of the world of televangelism.    
     Hers was an Old Testament God of punishment.  The most unforgivable sin in her book was engaging in sex outside the bonds of marriage. I always tried to avoid being alone in the room with her for fear of getting  "the talk."  Her eyes could bore a hole in your psyche that made you feel guilty for even being born with a vagina.
     My mother had 3 babies because she got pregnant.  She got pregnant intentionally one time in hopes of bearing a son, but another girl was born.
     The last time I remember being ensconced with my 3 sisters and mother in the family room was the last time I remember the virgin inquisition.
     "Girls, you already know I was a virgin on my wedding night, and I am so glad I was.  Phyllis has told me she was a virgin, too.  I just wish I could know that all of you were pure when you got married."
    Our squirming and sinking deeper into our chairs was almost imperceptible as we prayed for an act of Nature, like a tornado or earthquake,to put an end to this awkward embarrassment and total violation of our privacy.
     If she had zeroed in on me, my answer was ready: I really do not think my sex life is any of your business.  You need to realize that we are all separate, grown women and not mere extensions of yourself.  But I sat there mute, still not believing her ignorance, naivete, and complete lack of boundaries.  In her fearful world, she thought that we would spend eternity burning in agonizing hell-fire if we had succumbed to our flesh and committed The Act before marriage.
     "I just wish somebody would say something to assure me that I have nothing to worry about so I can put my mind at ease."
     "Okay!"  Betty blurted. "No, I was not a virgin when we got married.  Ed and I even lived together!  I hope you are happy now!  If it was a sin, I have made it right with my God.  I just wish that you could forgive me.  Are you happy now?"
     Way to go, Betty!  Thank you for being the brave one to finally put her in her place!
     "I had always suspected that.  Now I know.  I don't guess anybody else is going to say anything."
     I sat there in total silence.  Hell, no, Mother!  It is none of your damn business!  I am so sorry that you are trapped in this fearful life of ignorance.  Thank you for allowing me to leave and  go away to college.