Toying With Curious Little Minds

(My family is home, watching a movie on television. The main character is a cop trying to solve a crime. I’m in my early teens and I had sex-ed lessons at school so I know what’s supposed to happen during sexual intercourse, and my parents know it. On the other hand, my younger brother is very innocent. The cop on screen has just entered a sex shop to ask the employees questions about the presumed killer. He’s staring at a vaguely penis-shaped sex toy.)

Brother: “What’s that?”

Me: “I don’t know.”

(Of course I know what a sex toy is. I just guess my innocent brother may not be ready for that kind of information yet. He assumes nobody knows and doesn’t ask any more questions. Later, I enter the kitchen to have a glass of water. My mother follows me. She looks both embarrassed and about to burst into laughter.)

Mother: “[My Name], I can’t believe you told him you didn’t know what it was!”

Me: “I was just hoping he wouldn’t ask more questions.”

Mother: “You did well!”