Jan

and the degree of love is the quantity and worth of those values. So where there are unequal values, there can only be unequal love.'

Okay, so far.

'If there is unequal love, then the person giving the most is, essentially, being robbed – they are giving higher values than what they are getting in return; nobody would take fifty pounds of fertilizer for fifty pounds of gold – at least, not willingly, right?'

They nodded again.

'Now, something else I've shown her – notice that I'm saying SHOWN her; not 'taught' her, not 'made her believe', but shown – is that it's perfectly okay to give someone your love, and not expect anything in return; but only if you are doing so willingly, of your own free will, and to the degree that you are willing to do it.'

They're doing fine, and tracking right along with me.

'The problem with Susan is that I've shown her all this, and she's learned – on her own – how it works, and how to do it. Except for one last, crucial step.'

'And that is?', Linda asked.

'How to give love – in such a way that it never runs out. Essentially, how to tap into an unlimited supply of boundless love, for whoever needs it.'

'And how do you learn such a thing?', she asked.

'By making love with another person.'

'Sex?' Linda asked.

'No – and that is exactly the mistake Steve made, too. And it is that making of 'having sex' and 'making love' that is keeping Susan from being able to tap into that supply of love that I told you about.'

'How so?'

'Because SHE knows they aren't the same – and you two don't. But because you're her parents, and she loves and respects you, the conflict between what she knows, and what you THINK is preventing her from taking the final step of making love, and learning how to access all she would ever need or want. SHE knows that if she made love, it would free her – but at the same time, she knows that if she did that, you two would only think she'd had sex; and not value – not love – her because you didn't appreciate the distinction.'

'So you want to have sexual relations with our daughter.', she said.

'Are you stupid? Haven't you been paying attention to what I've been saying? Once again, in a different way, here's the difference: dogs on the street have sex. People, that care for each other, that value each other, that love each other, make love. Okay?'

With that, I could see Steve beginning to comprehend it – but Linda was still stuck.

'But you're still the one that wants to do this.', she declared.

'Linda, what*I* want is completely irrelevant. It's what Susan wants, even needs. If I thought she could accomplish it with the first guy or girl coming down the street, I'd roll out the red carpet and open the door myself for her. Hell, I'd break out the champagne, and cook them breakfast afterwards, if I thought it would help! Don't you get it yet?

All I care about is Susan – that she's happy, healthy, and loved.

Whether it's me, you, or anyone else that does it doesn't matter a tinker's damn to me – only that it gets done. Why the hell else do you think I'd spend so much of my time, and energy, and everything else I've got to make that happen? You've seen her in there – do you really think that if all I was after was her body, I'd be sitting out here trying to talk to you?'

With that little spiel, Steve finally seemed to understand what I'd been driving at, and said 'I believe you, Dan. In fact, I think you've already made love to her – in every way except physically; and she's a better person, because of it. I do see the difference between having sex and making love – and can respect that she would choose one over the other.'

Linda turned to look at him as though she'd suddenly noticed that he had bolts in his neck.

He turned to her and said 'Honey, if all he wanted was sex, he could have had her a long time ago. If he wanted her worship, he could have had that, easily. But I know this man, and what kind of person he is – how honest and truthful he is, and how much integrity and courage he has. There isn't a doubt in my mind that he is speaking God's honest truth to us, sincerely and honestly. But all he wants is what we do: the very best for her. And through him, she's found something that is good, and loving, and caring, and sincere. If there's something she needs to do to have all that, and more, than I'm more than happy to let her do it – or even encourage her. or help her.'

'But…', Linda started to say something, but Steve quickly put a finger over her lips, and told her 'No, there's nothing left to say here, to me, or to Dan. I've made my decision. Go on out to the car, and I'll be there in a minute; when we get home, we'll talk about it, and I'll explain it all to you.'

She gave me a dirty look – hurt my feelings terribly, it did – and left.

When she was gone, Steve looked at me, and said 'I finally understood what you told me the other day, when I called you. And what you and Kelly told me after the graduation. And I CAN respect the choice she makes – because it's the right one for her. How the hell did you figure all this out?'

'The pieces were there the whole time; I just got lucky and saw how they fit.'

'I think there was more than luck involved – but however it happened, I've got you to thank for making my daughter far happier than I've ever seen her before – and even happier after this. Could I talk to her, and tell her it's okay, now?'

'That's your call, of course – but if you want to let her sleep, you can dictate a message to her through my home control system.'

'Your what?'

'Home control system. Voice activated. Automation, all that neat stuff.

Wanna see?'

'Sure -'

'Mabel!'

'Yes, Sir?'

'Den lights to fifty percent, please. Music, jazz, volume one point zero.'

The lights dimmed, and music came out of the speakers – a local jazz station, at low volume.

Steve just sat there, amazed.

'Den lights to full. Music off.'

The lights went back to full brightness, and the music died.

'That's all.'

'Thank you, Sir.'

He looked at me and asked 'What else does it do? Who's Mabel? Who did this?'

I grinned, and said 'Mabel is the system – Machine Access By English Language; voice activation, right? It maintains air temperature, does alarm clock stuff, can make coffee in the morning, handles all the phone, audio and video, fire alarms, security, and about anything else I could think of; I did it.'

He just stared at me a few moments before I reminded him 'You can leave Susan a voice message, and make it as private as you want.'

'How?'

'Just call Mabel's name. When she answers, say 'voice message for Susan'. When Mabel says 'recording', say your piece, and when you're done, just say 'end of message'. If you only want Susan to hear it, just say 'private' instead of 'voice': 'private message for Susan'. Mabel knows her voice, and whether or not anyone else is in the room with her.

If it's private, Mabel won't play it back until Susan's alone – and the door is closed.'

He looked at me, shaking his head, before saying 'This is simply too much. I don't care if anyone else hears it; as long as Susan does.'

'Okay, then. I'm going to go into the kitchen so you can have some privacy, anyway. Need me to show you out?'

'I don't think so. Why, can't Mabel do it?'

'Sure – if you didn't mind asking her!'

He gave me the finger, and I laughed as I headed for the kitchen. Before I got there, I paused and watched as