“I know it being your birthday and all that you want to hang out with your friends, so thank you for allowing me the time to have this conversation with you. You’re eighteen years old today, Jeremy, and I know that by all rights and means you are an adult now, but it means something else, too. Something more.
“You see, Jeremy, there is a tradition that my side of the family has celebrated for centuries upon end, a tradition that has been captured in this ledger I now hold. Look. Here is my name written alongside your grandfather’s, and above that is his name written next to his mother’s, and above that her name written next to her father’s. This ledger goes as far back as the pre-antebellum South. Daddy told me that his grandfather told him that the true history stretched as far back as Colonial times, but those documents were destroyed in the wake of the Salem witch trials as anything not perceived as the norm would have been associated with Satan had it ever come to light, and self-preservation being what it is and all …
“Anyway, if you haven’t already guessed, this ledger details the incestuous relationships our family has enjoyed throughout the ages. I can tell by that look in your eye that you’re a bit shocked at this revelation, but probably more so that I would be holding a conversation with you concerning such subject matter. Like I said, though: Today you are eighteen, which means that you have a singular opportunity ahead of you. You have the opportunity to keep this tradition alive, Jeremy, or you have the opportunity to lay it to rest forever. Personally, I hope you choose to continue it, but when all is said and done, the choice is yours alone to make.
“If you choose to continue it, you will be opening yourself up to a wonderful experience that can be a one-time deal, or last as long as you like. To give you an example of that, Daddy said his mother told him that she simply lost her virginity to her father, and that was that. Daddy, on the other hand, told me that he and Grandmama had sex up until the time he married. Insofar as I am concerned, your grandfather and I had sex up until a week before he died a few years back. I found comfort in being with him, and you may well find that very thing with me should you choose to pursue this.
“The original purpose of this tradition was to prepare the eighteen-year-old for life as a married person by taking his or her virginity, but it has grown into something more, something deeper and more loving. Or, it can just be about the sex and nothing more. It all depends on how you wish to define it.
“I know one of the thoughts going through your head right now is How can we do this with Dad around all the time? There are ways around that, such as when he’s at work or when he’s playing golf or whatever. As long as it is feasible, I will never deny you. There is just one proviso, though, and you need to give it much thought before deciding.
“You have twenty-four hours from now to make up your mind about this. If you decide to do it, then all is fine. If you decide against it, however, I will burn the book and we will never discuss this again. That means you have just one opportunity to make this happen, Jeremy, so whatever you decide, be sure it’s the choice you can live with.