Chapter 17: Obstruction Observed

After supper, Dale, Dan, and the boys parked themselves in the living room. The boys had their Lego sets out, while the men watched the NBA Clippers vs. Kings on TV. Dale actually enjoyed hearing Dan’s informed commentary based on his high school team experiences.

Erika was in the master bedroom with Delia and Rosemary, explaining her difficulties. “I know it sounds like I’m a scared little girl. But there’s a reason I’m a virgin, and I’m afraid to have sex. I don’t have a good vagina.”

“What?” asked Delia.

“Seriously. There’s no place for a penis to go.”

“But, don’t you have periods?”

“I do. Blood comes out of me, it’s routine, regular. But I have to use pads. The opening is just big enough to let the blood leak out. As best I can tell, my vagina is no bigger than my ureu, urinee, shit. My pee hole. I can’t use tampons, I’ve tried. And men are a lot bigger than tampons, right?”

“Yes, they are bigger,” replied Rosie. “Erika, this is going to sound strange, but will you trust me to look at you? I think I have an answer for this, but I need to see what’s going on. Dee, what do you think?”

“Oh, Erika, I think I understand what’s happening. It must be so difficult for you. What about your mother, what does she say?”

“My mother is extremely religious and won’t speak to me at all about anything. She handed me a pamphlet and a box of pads when I was twelve, and that was it. As far as she is concerned, I go to my wedding night untouched, or she disowns me.”

“Erika, my Mom is a wonderful person and I promise you, she would never hurt you. Let her take a quick look around and investigate. I’m going to block the door to make sure your privacy is protected.”

“OK, Erika, please take down your pants and panties to your ankles and I’ll help you to lie back on the bed. Dee, please hold her hand. Good, now open your knees wide, and I will take a brief look. Oh, sorry, I need to touch you slightly to see better. Yes, there, that’s it. All done. You can pull up your pants now.”

“Erika, look me in the eye. You are going to be fine! You have a very minor issue which can easily be fixed. Dee, you can go join your boyfriend now, and get when you get some free time, look up imperforate hymen on the web. Make sure you are on a credible site.”

Delia left the room.

“This all happened to Julie, a friend of mine, Erika, that’s why I know about it. From what you told me, I assume your parents kept you out of sex education classes. Do you know the word, ‘hymen’? No? OK, well, most girls come from the factory with a little flap of skin over the entrance of their vagina. That little flap is called a hymen, also called a cherry. In most girls, the flap is delicate and easily torn, like during sports or exercise. If it survives to adolescence, it gets torn aside when a penis enters the vagina for the first time.