My Mother-in-Law Demanded Proof of My Purity, So I Left

The first time I went to my boyfriend's rural hometown, we'd barely stepped inside before his mother demanded to check that I was still pure.

"Brookie, come inside with me first and let me check you. Once the white cloth shows red, then we can settle the marriage."

His father stood off to the side, hands clasped behind his back, backing her up.

"We're a respectable family, and Wilfred Swanson's an educated boy. We're not letting him pick up shoes someone else already wore out."

I stared, speechless, and turned to Wilfred beside me.

"You agree with this too?"