DEAR ABBY: I have something I would like to know just for the sake of curiosity.
When my mother became pregnant with me, she was married -- but not to the man who impregnated her. Does this make me a bastard? I am not going to be devastated if the answer is yes -- I just want to know for the knowing. -- AM I OR AM I NOT, COSHOCTON, OHIO
DEAR ARE YOU OR ARE YOU NOT: The answer to your question is no. Because you were born within the bonds of wedlock, you are as legitimate as the next person.
P.S.: The term "bastard" went out of style at least two decades ago. A better term would be "love child."