Daughter Worries She is a Virgin

Hope you like this short story about Daisy and her desire to lose her virginity before heading off to college.

All characters are over 18 years of age and consent to activities. It is a piece of fiction, not based on real-life experiences or individuals.

Thoughtful feedback is welcome as always.

****

"So how are the exams going?" Sally asks her daughter.

"Good. I think," Daisy responds. "A couple of the papers were weird, though. Everyone came out moaning about them."

"These spring onions look good, do you want beetroot as well?" Sally shakes some onions at Daisy.

"Absolutely," Daisy says, "We can't have burgers without beetroot. It's like, illegal."

"Agreed. The creepy deli guy in the corner always has fresh coleslaw and salad dressings. We'll pick something up from him, and then we are about done," Sally adds.

Daisy just nods as her mother pays for the onions and beetroot.

"Are you confident?"

"Sorry?"

"Exams, are you confident?"

"Hmm. English, yes, Sociology was evil, but I survived. I'll know in August, I guess."

After finishing their shopping at the local farmers' market, the mother and daughter carry their bags over to a nearby coffee shop, settling into a couple of comfy seats to have a natter.

"I think we have enough for your birthday barbecue tomorrow, don't you?"

"I think we have enough for thirty people, Mum, not thirteen," Daisy replies, to laughter from Sally.

"You are probably right, sweetie. Your father will tell me off, but then cook it all anyway, and we will be eating sausages until Thanksgiving."

"Plus, he will burn everything until the last batch, when he will finally get the hang of it."

"Absolutely, isn't that what barbecues are?"

They both laugh as they take minuscule sips from their scalding oat-milk lattes.

"Are you sure you don't want to invite any of your friends along? Not even Francine? Milly?"

"Nah. It's a family thing. I'm looking forward to it. Will be good to see Rob." Rob is Daisy's older brother, who's already away at college.

"Yes, it should be nice, you're right. How are your friends' exams going, by the way? Do they think they will go to college next year?"

"Milly's looking at two of the same ones as me. Franny might take a gap year; she's not sure yet."

"And what about you? Are you thinking of a year out?"

Daisy doesn't answer right away. A flicker of anxiety passes over her face as she lifts her cup again and looks down, her fingers fidgeting nervously with the handle.

"I want to go this year, but..." she shrugs. "Yeah. I do."

"But?" Her mother asks with a frown.

"I. I. No, it's ok. It's nothing." Daisy forces a smile, her eyes darting away, not quite meeting her mother's. "I'm good. Yes, I want to go this year, not wait. I'm fine. Just... stuff." Her voice is soft, almost uncertain.

"But there's something. You can tell me. It's okay to be a little scared, and I'll miss you like crazy, but I'll understand."

"It's not that - but yeah, I'll miss you like crazy too," she says, squeezing her mum's hand. Her grip is tight, betraying her nervousness. "It's just..." Daisy glances around the café, her voice dropping. "It's maybe not coffee-shop conversation, and anyway, it's fine, honestly. Just me overthinking. I'll sort it." She gives a half-hearted smile, her uncertainty obvious for Sally to read.

"Okay, but I'm here for when you want to talk, IF you want to talk." She gives a semi-smile back, signalling her disappointment that her daughter is not sharing her worries with her mother.

Daisy hesitates again, her cheeks growing pink. Then she leans forward a little. Sally leans forward too. "Alright, alright. It's just..." Daisy drops her voice to a whisper, her hand trembling slightly as she stirs her coffee, "...I've never, you know..." her eyes flick around the room again, ".... I've not done 'it'. And I feel like I should have. Rob had before he went..." she pauses, "...and I don't want to be the only one at college who hasn't." She looks at her mum briefly, quickly dropping her gaze to her coffee.

"You mean sex?" This comes out louder than Sally intended, and the two ladies at the table closest to them look around.

"Mum!" Daisy protests, then her face turns a very scarlet shade of very bright scarlet.

"I'm sorry, sweetie." Sally leans forward again and drops her voice to a whisper. "But you did mean sex, right?"

"Yes," Daisy hisses, not able to look her mother in the eye now.

"Oh. Did you not with Joel?"

"No, Mum. If I had, you'd know. I literally tell you everything."

This is true, Sally is quietly pleased that Daisy hadn't done 'it' without discussing 'it' with her first. Her son hadn't been the same, He'd been very secretive about his sexual experiences before he went to college two years ago. Even more so now.

"You were together a while. How far did you get with Joel?"

"Mum!" Daisy groans, a flush creeping up her cheeks as she realises that she regrets mentioning this to her mother; she's certain she'll never hear the end of it.

"Just curious."

"Kissing. That's all. Maybe a bit of touching."

"Naked touching?"

"Mum! No!" Another incredulous look given across the table. "Just over-the-clothes touching a bit."

Sally gives her daughter what she hopes is a comforting smile.

"Well, please don't worry yourself about it. I'm sure there will be plenty of girls at college who have not had S.E.X." Sally over-pronounces the letters in an exaggerated whisper.

"Yeah, but I don't want to be one of those girls. I want to be... normal. Not, like, the last one left. I want to be one of the cool ones."

"Sweetheart, not having sex doesn't make you strange; having sex doesn't make you cool. It just means you haven't met the right person yet."

"I know, but you know what I mean. It might not make you cool, but it doesn't hurt."

"Actually, the first time might hurt a bit," Sally says, smiling.

"Mum, TMI."

"Huh?"

"Too much infor..."

"...mation," they say together. "Sorry," says Sally.

"It just feels like everyone else already has," Daisy concludes.

"Okay, I get it, so you want to do it before you finish school?"

"Ideally."

"Is there anyone you have your eye on?"

"Not really, no."

"Don't you want it to be special? Your first time? With someone you love?"

Daisy's face tells Sally that Sally is out of touch, an ancient being, an anachronism, an OAP. Sally feels older than she has ever felt before. The look from her daughter says it all.

Sally rephrases. "Okay, but you want it to be with someone special at least?"

"Ideally," she says, "but maybe there's not time for that."

"So what? Just whoever's around?"

"Mum, I don't know! I'm not planning a spreadsheet," Daisy sighs, her frustration surfacing. "I was just telling you why I'm worried about going to college, that's all, I haven't got it all figured out. Can we drop it now, please?" Her voice wavers on the last words."

"Are you worried you are not pretty? Because you are, you're beautiful, sweetie."

"Mum, please. Stop."

Sally looks at her daughter, noticing how Daisy has grown into a young woman: tallish, lean, but her youth still present in her features. No make-up required. She sees Daisy's warm smile; mischievous and thoughtful eyes framed by sun-streaked blonde hair; and untouched-skin glowing like after a summer walk. Her face shows a confidence not yet hardened by experience - an innocence shining through.

"You are. You're gorgeous. Any boy would be lucky to have sex with you." Again, this comes out a little louder than Sally intended, and the two women grin into their cups.

"Mum! Please."

"Okay, okay. I'll drop it. And no matchmaking, I promise."

"Mum. No! Don't even think about it."

"What? I said 'no matchmaking'. You heard me."

"If you mention his name, seriously, I will walk out right now," Daisy says, glaring at her mother.

"But Colin is such a nice boy."

"Boom, there it is."

"He's always held a candle for you." In fact, Colin from two doors down, has held several candelabra for Daisy for a very long time.

"Right, I'm going." Daisy says, but with a smile.

"But why not? He'd be..."

"He's a friend, Mum." Daisy interrupts. "Proper friend-zone. We've known each other since, what, we were, like, five. I can't even think of him that way. Honestly, it makes me feel a bit sick even imagining he has a..." she nods down to her lap, "you know, a penis." She wrinkles her face. This time, Daisy has raised her voice a little too loudly. The sniggers from the ladies show they are obviously enjoying eavesdropping.

"It might be a big one," Sally replies devilishly. This elicits two gasps from across the room.

"Eewoo, Mum! PLEASE. Let's drop it. Forget I even said anything."

"Okay, sweetie. No more mention of big cock Colin." She can't conceal the tease from her face. "But don't worry. There's no rush. It will happen when it happens. I'm sure it will be worth the wait."

Daisy gives her a reluctant smile as her mother takes her hand, and they move on to safer topics.

****

It's almost three weeks later when Mother and daughter are again alone over coffee, this time at a more expensive establishment in town. They have been prom dress shopping.

"Oh, I remember back to my prom. Your grandmother fussed over me like I was a Japanese vase or something. I felt like a million dollars," Sally says.

"It was different back then; you probably didn't get out much."

"Yes, that was it, sweetie, we just sat indoors with our harpsichords or learnt tapestry most nights. Jesus. I'm not that old."

"Did you have a date?"

"Lance Williams."

"Lance? Who's called Lance?"

"He was. He was a charming young man."

"So how come you are Mrs Powers and not Mrs Williams then?" Daisy asks cheekily.

"Exactly because he was a charming young man. Boring as hell. Your grandfather approved of him, though."

They each have oat-milk lattes again, but this time an accompanying pastry, which gets a munch in the pauses.

"More importantly, have you got a date for prom?" Sally asks this with a little too much brevity and instantly regrets her directness.

"No," Daisy responds curtly.

"Oh." Sally is a little taken aback. "Um, did anyone ask you? I'm sure boys must have been thinking of you."

"I don't know what boys are thinking, but yeah, a couple asked."

"And?"

"I obviously said no, otherwise I would have a date for prom."

"But, why did you say no?"

"I didn't want to say yes."

"But why?"

"Just didn't."

Sally shouldn't be surprised by this kind of response. It's very typical in its nature. But that doesn't mean it is not extremely frustrating.

"So," Sally starts hesitantly, "you know when we were..." she hesitates again, "...at the farmers market and you told me about, you know, your worries about..." she tries a knowing nod to get her point across, "...about not having had s,"

"I remember the conversation, mum." Daisy interrupts before her mum can say the word sex.

"Well, wasn't prom a perfect opportunity to maybe pick someone for the job?"

"I held trials, mum, but they just didn't make the mark."

"Really?"

"Of course not, Mum. I'm joking."

"I don't think I understand," Sally replies.

"Okay, let's just say, none of them met my criteria."

"You have criteria?"

"Yeah. Well, kind of. You were right at the market, Mum. It should be special; it doesn't have to be the perfect guy, but it's more than just a random choice."

"Right. Okay. I approve."

"Great, I'm so glad," Daisy says sarcastically.

Another munch of chocolate-covered pastries.

"So, um," Sally starts hesitantly again.

"Oh, Mum, stop it. Say what you want to say."

"I was just wondering what the criteria are, that's all."

"You really want to know?"

"Of course I do," Sally says, leaning forward. "I'm gripped."

"Alright then." Daisy tears off a piece of her pastry and rolls it between her fingers. "He has to be kind. Like, properly kind, not just polite because he wants something."

Sally nods. "Good start."

"And funny. But not the type who tries too hard. I can't be doing with guys who make everything into a joke or are brash and insensitive."

"Mm-hm." Sally nods again.

"And he can't smell like every other boy."

Sally almost spits out her coffee. "That's... fair."

"Yeah, like a little aftershave is fine, but not that body spray stuff that's like a fog around them and gets down your throat, and into your lungs like you've been punched by a rancid lemon."

Sally laughs. "Noted."

"He has to take it slow and want me to enjoy it. It can't be all about him."

"That's a tough one," Sally replies, "Boys your age don't think about much, and the little bit they do think, is mostly about themselves." Her face turns more serious.

"And he has to actually like 'me', not the idea of me, or not just my tits or my ass, but me. You know?"

"That's no more than you deserve, sweetheart."

"It is, isn't it?" Daisy shrugs. "I just don't want to do it with someone who'll text his mates about it straight after. That's not what I want my first time to be."

Sally takes a slow sip of coffee and studies her daughter. "That's very... mature of you, Daisy."

Daisy rolls her eyes but smiles. "You say 'mature' like it's a shock."

"Well, sometimes you still put your whites in with your darks."

"Okay, fair," Daisy says, laughing. "Anyway, it's not like I'm on some big mission or anything. I just don't want to be the only virgin at college. That's all."

Sally reaches across the table and touches her daughter's hand.

"You're lucky. You've got Dad. He's all those things." Daisy says.

Sally smiles. Paul is not always all those things, but he'll do. He's perfectly adequate.

"Daisy, there is no rush. I promise you, there'll be loads of virgins. You'll see. Anyway..." Sally continues, trying to console her daughter, "...everyone pretends they've done more than they have. It's practically a sport. And you're not in it for the medals."

"Maybe," Daisy says quietly, glancing out the window. "Still feels like I'm behind on the track somehow."

"You're just waiting for the right person to hold the relay baton with."

"Or the least-wrong person," Daisy says, smiling faintly.

Sally squeezes her hand. "That's my girl. Setting the bar exactly where it should be - somewhere in the middle."

"I think we are done with the athletics metaphor now, Mum."

"Agreed."

They both laugh softly, and for a while neither of them says anything. Outside, shoppers move along the pavement, clutching glossy bags and iced coffees, and the café hums around them.

After a moment, Daisy says, "Mum?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Can we not discuss my sex life in public anymore?"

"To be fair, it's your lack of sex life we are discussing."

"Ooh, burned!" Daisy laughs.

Sally grins. "Deal." She gives a wink.

"And don't wink either, it's painful."

"No winking, no words. Got it."

Daisy smiles. "Good." She takes another sip of coffee.

"Here's to no winking, no words, and definitely no talk of Colin's big cock." Sally says with a really big wink.

"Cheers to that," Daisy says, and they clink their cups together, laughing out loud like a couple of schoolgirls.

***

The next time the topic is brought up, exams are finished, Prom has passed, and the summer is mostly through.

This time, they are at home in the kitchen. It's a lazy Sunday. Daisy is scrolling on her phone while Sally makes a smoothie for each of them in the Nutri-Ninja. Hubby Paul is in the garden clearing leaves. Rob is back for the summer, but always seems to be out with friends.

"Any luck yet on the you know what?" Sally says.

"What?"

Sally presses a button on the machine and waits thirty seconds for the blades to mash two bananas, smash a dozen frozen blueberries, and mix two cups of milk together.

"I said, have you had any luck on the 'you know what' before college?"

"I thought we weren't discussing that."

"Not in public was the rule."

"True. But no. No progress. Still nothing." Daisy says, not taking her eyes off the screen. "And before you mention him, the rule on not mentioning Colin's cock applies in public or private."

Sally walks over to her daughter at the breakfast table and holds the smoothie out before her.

"I wasn't going to mention appendages. I did have an idea, though."

"Thanks," Daisy says, taking the glass from her mother without taking her eyes from the screen. "I thought we had agreed to no matchmaking too."

"We had. And I haven't mentioned it to him at all."

This finally gets Daisy to look away from her phone. She looks at her mother with a mixture of fear and anger. "I should fucking hope not. It's my life, not yours. You're not allowed to talk to anyone about this. Right?"

"Sorry, that's not what I meant. Of course I wouldn't talk to anyone about this. Of course not." She puts her hand on Daisy's arm. "I'm sorry, that's not what I meant."

"Okay. I'm sorry too. Sorry for swearing at you. But no matchmaking. We agreed."

"Alright."

They slurp on drinks, Daisy scrolls, Sally absentmindedly turns the pages of a magazine. After a few minutes, Sally can't resist.

"Are you not intrigued about who I thought of?"

"Nope."

"Not even a little bit."

"Nope."

A few more minutes go by. The atmosphere is as thick as the shakes. Sally keeps glancing at her daughter.

"Okay. You got me. Who have you thought of?" Daisy puts her phone on the table and stares at her mother.

"I thought you weren't bothered."

"Mum." Daisy gently punches her mother's arm.

"Ow!" She feigns injury. "No, it's fine. Don't worry about silly old mummy."

"For God's sake, you are impossible. Who? Who did you think of?"

Sally stops reading the magazine and meets her daughter's gaze.

"Okay, but you have to hear me out. It might shock you at first. And like I said, I haven't talked to him."

"Just say it, Mum."

"Well, it was something you said that got me thinking. About me having Dad, and him being so perfect."

"I remember. So, who's as perfect as Dad?"

"Well," Sally pauses much longer than she thought she would. A sudden uncertainty. Daisy gives her a glare that says, 'Come on then, out with it.'

"Well, that's just it. He is. Your father is."

"I don't get it. Who is?"

"Your father. Paul."

"I know his name, Mum, but who is perfect for me?"

Sally doesn't repeat herself, she just looks at Daisy and waits for the realisation to hit. It doesn't take long. A few milliseconds, maybe. Daisy's eyes widen, her mouth opens, her forehead starts to frown and wrinkle. She closes her mouth and opens it again. And repeats the action. And again.

"It's a bit weird, but hear me out," Sally starts.

"A bit weird?" Daisy has recovered the power of speech and is showing that she can be loud.

"You said you wanted kindness, and Dad is genuinely kind. Someone who takes it slow and is focused on your enjoyment - he would be that - and someone who is genuine, someone who loves you for you. Plus, he smells nice." Sally attempts a little humour, but understandably, it falls flat.

"This is fucked up." There is anger and disbelief in Daisy's eyes.

"Daisy," Sally admonishes her daughter.

"Are you seriously telling me off for swearing after suggesting I have sex with my own father? Your husband?"

"No. Yes. But no. Like I said, it's a bit weird. But it would be exactly what you need and want, safe, slow and caring, discreet and loving. He could teach you. We could teach you."

"I can't believe what I'm hearing. This is fucking incredible. A bit weird, you say? You. Are. Fucked. Up!" She stands to shout the last words into her mother's face before starting to step away. There is no disbelief in her eyes anymore, just anger. Sally grabs her arm to stop her.