After Wayne and I had several children, I really did not care to have another. Four children was the number I had planned for when we married. We had far exceeded that goal. For some reason Wayne did not want to purchase the extra “protection” so it was up to me or else! I was even shyer about the situation than he was. I could not bring myself to even utter the proper word out loud!! I had read somewhere that some people referred to them as rubber sheaths. I thought I could handle asking a lady clerk for them by that name.

I decided the decision was entirely up to me so I rehearsed my "speech" the whole 17 miles to Cherokee. I went into a different local drugstore than the one where I usually bought our medications. No one who worked there knew me very well, or perhaps no one there knew me at all. I pretended to be looking around as I waited for the place to be clear of customers. After the store was cleared, I browsed around even longer trying to muster up enough courage to make my purchase. The clerk came over to me and asked if she could be of assistance.

Now I was cornered so it was either now or never. I shyly, and most likely not very audible, said "I would like some rubber sheaths" She gave me a questionable look and asked me to repeat my request. When I did, I thought she understood what I wanted and was so relieved it went so well. I had always heard these things were hidden under the counters at the check out stand, so I was bewildered when she led me to the back to the baby department. But yet, the lack of them causes babies.. right?. Anyway, she showed me one of several rubber bed sheets for babies. I was so embarrassed. I do not know why I did not buy a rubber sheet and run, but I had gone this far and decided again that it was now or never. I started stammering when I told her what I really wanted. This time, I gave her a brand name and she understood what I really wanted!! I had always heard them called by another name. She smiled and I know that it had to be quite a feat for her not to do a big belly laugh right then and there.

The lady took me to the check out counter and calmly asked how many I wanted. I chose the large three dozen size box, because I did not want to repeat this performance anytime soon. It finally dawned on me as I drove home that she probably thought we were very active. Was my face ever red?