by Hank Stallings

Created on: September 10, 2007

I love children, they are so "themselves". They don't pretend to be anyone else, well I know they pretend at some point of their development, but they are so honest. If they're sad, you know it. If they're mad, you know it. And my favorite of all, when they're happy, you know it!

My niece, Taylor was going through a phase in her development where Sunday school had been teaching them about marriage and relationships. She knew mommies and daddies slept in the same bed and it was my guess that someone in her "wonderful" Bible Belt of a church told her that only mommies and daddies should share beds, "like that". I remember hearing how distressed she was that her "Aunt Jen" and "Uncle Mike" were sharing a bed.

Anyway, she was visiting one weekend and was over at my and my partner Ron's house. We were cooking out on the patio, Taylor grabbed Ron's hand and pulled him towards the bedroom door.

"Uncle Ron? Do you sleep in that bed?", she asked.

Not wanting to broach a subject that wasn't approved by Mom and Dad, he said, "Well sometimes I do, but sometimes I sleep on the futon in the other bedroom". Taylor took that in and they went back out to the patio.

I went into the kitchen for something, Taylor grabbed my hand, pulling me towards my bedroom. I had already told my brother and my sister-in-law that I was going to be honest with answers about Ron and I. Unless it got, you know, "sexual".

She led me to the bedside and asked, "Uncle Hank, is this your bedroom?". I indicated that it was. "And does Uncle Ron sleep in here too?"

"Ummm, yes he sometimes does", I replied.

She narrowed her eyes and asked, "Are you and Uncle Ron married?"

Trying to hide my grin I said, "No Taylor, we're not married."

She looked me soberly in the eyes and asked, "But, your KINDA married, right?"

"Well, yes, we're KINDA married." I answered.

That seemed to satisfy her and she led me out of the room and into the kitchen.

She was four. She was able to plan this little detective work on her own. It's funny how they begin to apply what they are taught EVERYWHERE, to situations that concern them. We never talked about it again. But now at thirteen, she just grins when her 4 year old sister, Kylie, begins asking questions along the same line.

I love my girls!

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