The PTA is probably not going to call on me for guest speaker anytime soon.

Kate flipped through the pages of her science book as I drove her to school Friday morning.   She opened it to a chapter somewhere close to the middle and let out a sigh. 

"We have to do this chapter next week."

I glanced over at a two page spread on the reproductive system.  Sort of an educational centerfold.  I made some sort of non-committal noise. 

"That's why y'all had to sign that paper a couple of weeks ago."

"Ah.  Well, lucky you.  Looks like it should be fun."  She grimaced.  "I'm going to ask you lots of questions about what you learned when you get finished," I said, evilly.

"No, you're NOT!"

"Yes, I am!" I said, mostly because I'm really mature like that. 

"You know what I really hate?  When we have to go pick up trash around the school, there's all these used condoms everywhere."

"Ugh," I said, cause I'm full of really helpful commentary like that.  I wracked my brain for some sort of intelligent response.  "Well, if people are going to be so stupid as to have sex in junior high, at least they're using birth control."

"It's just gross," she said.  I couldn't argue with that. 

Then she told me about one of the girls in her class that's had a baby.  And another girl who's bragged about having sex.  That girl's aunt has told her she's putting her on birth control.  "Can you believe that?" Katie asked.  "We're in junior high and they're putting her on birth control!"

"I can't blame them.  If she's going to be that irresponsible, at least maybe they can prevent her from getting pregnant.  If she gets pregnant as a teenager, she'll end up ruining more lives than just her own." 

"Yeah, I guess," Kate said.

"If your friend keeps having sex, that's all she's going to know.  She'll never learn how to have a real relationship with anyone.  She won't learn how to talk to and connect with guys she's really interested in.  She won't know how to find someone that shares her interests.  That's the best part of hooking up with another person.  All she'll know how to do is screw.  Hell, dogs can screw!  People should be able to do better than that."

Kate looked at me sort of open-mouthed for a moment, then reclined her seat back as far as it would go.  "I'm gonna take a nap."

"We're six blocks from school!"

"I don't care."

"You just don't want me asking you any questions about sex ed," I accused.

She grinned and kept her eyes shut tight.