Chapter 17

GUY

As she regained full consciousness and began to breathe more normally, Ginny’s eyes welled up with tears. When there was a little catch in her breath, Guy noticed and leaned over to kiss her eyes. He knew the reason for her sadness. It had happened more often lately after great sessions of love-making.

“Honey, you must believe by now that it doesn’t matter to me,” Guy said gently.

“I know, I know, Darling. But it matters to me. I’ve tried so hard, but nothing works. I feel like I’m walking around in a fat body that’s not really mine. I just can’t accept that this is the real me.” Ginny gave vent to something that had been repeated many times.

What she did not say this time, but had said before was that she hated the thought of reaching the ‘big four-oh’ looking the way she did. She did not want to feel ‘sentenced to a fat body’ for the second forty years of her life.

In the last four or five years, Ginny had gradually added about twenty-five pounds. At five-three with a naturally pixie-like build, there was no place to hide pounds after about the first seven or eight.

When they were making love, the pounds really did not matter to Guy. The rest of the time, though, he had to discipline himself to think of the ‘real’ Ginny. Unfortunately, the effect of the excess weight on her personality was impossible to ignore.

Oh, she was still the wonderful mother and homemaker she had always been. At the part-time job she had taken when their youngest entered junior high, the pressure to get her to go full-time had never let up. She loved the work and her employer loved her. Her resolve to leave the late afternoon and evening hours for her family had never wavered, though. Even the work she did from home over the Net ended thirty minutes before the kids were due home.

Pen, their son, was seventeen, and Krissy was fifteen. Pen’s given name was Guy Pennington Marshall, Pennington being Ginny’s maiden name. Instead of Guy, Jr., he had decided on Pen when he was about nine. Krissy was more interested in athletics, while Pen was an excellent musician. Pen did participate in cross country, where his slender build and good cardiovascular genetics allowed him to be a strong competitor.

Pen was built more like Ginny although he was 5’10”. Krissy was almost the same height and had Guy’s more muscular frame. She excelled in both volleyball and softball. Despite her strong build, Krissy had all of the right curves and a lovely face. She completely rejected the mannish appearance and manner of many female athletes.

Guy had known for some time that Ginny was interested in Rejuve, although she thought her investigations were a secret. Ginny’s very close friend, Carrie Martenson, had been among the first women through the program, and Ginny could not hide her longing for the same body change as her friend.

Guy had already been putting away money for Ginny’s tuition, just in case she decided to enroll, and he knew that she was setting aside part of her own salary, as well. The cost, though high, would not be a problem.

The subject had never come up between them in conversation. Guy was very afraid to mention any weight loss program. He did not want Ginny to feel that she had to lose weight to please him.

That night, it was a struggle for Guy to provide comfort and reassurance to Ginny because he needed reassurance himself. It had just been announced that Guy had lost out on a promotion that he firmly believed he deserved. Even the winner had seemed sheepish when he accepted Guy’s congratulations.

Having a good idea why he was not chosen did not soften the disappointment at all. While he was unquestionably the strongest in knowledge of the company’s products, its finances, and it’s operation, he lacked that indefinable something that qualified him for the highest levels of management.

Guy had a reserve and a calmness about him that must have been misinterpreted as detachment or lack of involvement. That was definitely not the case, but at the levels to which he aspired, it seemed that appearance counted for more than substance.

Well, Ginny certainly was not able to comfort him right then. He would put off telling her as long as he could.

Rod, husband to Ginny’s friend Carrie, worked fairly near to Guy’s office. The couples saw each other frequently, so that is where Guy started his inquiries about Rejuve. The next day was Monday, and Guy met Rod for lunch. “How did you get Carrie to go to Rejuve?”

“Get her to? I had very little to do with it,” Rod chuckled. “Uh, that’s not exactly right, Guy. When a wife goes there, the whole family gets involved.”

“Really? I mean, I’d be putting up a chunk of cash, but what else?”

“I really think it would be better to let the folks out there tell you. You might take what I say the wrong way and spoil the chance for Ginny to go.”

That certainly piqued Guy’s curiosity, but he could tell that Rod was not about to say any more. Instead, he told Rod “I’m sure she wants to go. I don’t know if it’s the nudity that is keeping her from making the move, or what.”

“Maybe it’s concern about work, too,” Rod suggested. “Or maybe she’s thinking she will hold out until the kids are in college, like we did. Tell you what. Let’s meet again tomorrow and Carrie will be here.”

“Yeah, maybe she can help.”

At noon the next day, Tuesday, Carrie immediately told Guy “You know, Ginny can’t understand why you don’t say anything about her weight. I told her that you didn’t want to hurt her feelings because you know she has been trying. Did I get that right?”

Guy just nodded. Carrie had always been a very upfront person, but since her time at Rejuve, she seemed to ooze confidence and purpose. It made him a little sad because that’s how he viewed the ‘real’ Ginny. He told Carrie “I know she has been checking the place out and we can afford it. I don’t know why she hasn’t brought it up to me.”

Carrie looked a little sheepish as she told him “I ... I’ve told Ginny more about getting into Rejuve than I probably should have. I mean, they don’t restrict what we can say about it, but they caution us about negative effects of saying too much. I guess I triggered one of those effects.”

“So, she found out something she couldn’t handle? What could be worse than living naked with men around all the time?”

“Guy, I really shouldn’t say any more. I already said too much to Ginny. Tell you what; let me see if I can set up for you to talk to someone at Rejuve. It’s highly irregular if Ginny hasn’t contacted them, but maybe I can swing it.”

There was a firm policy that the woman had to initiate enrollment in the Rejuve program. If it was suspected that a husband or significant other was pressuring a woman, the contact was ended. Carrie had been able to convince the management that Guy was not pressuring Ginny at all. When she explained what was holding Ginny up, they agreed to talk with Guy.

“Be at Transformations at six-thirty?” Carrie ordered a couple hours after lunch. “Just ask for Rhonda.”

Rhonda did the interview with Guy, and she quickly verified that there was no pressure from him. “Why do you think your wife has not talked to you about Rejuve?” Rhonda asked.

“I’m not sure. Maybe she is worried about the nudity.”

“Well, that is not at all unusual. Is she rather prudish? Unusually modest?”

“I wouldn’t say so.”

“Has your son ever seen his mother naked?”

“I don’t think so,” Guy answered. “If he did, Ginny was not aware of it.”

“Well, when there are sons in high school, we here at Rejuve have a particular concern,” Rhonda pointed out. “The son will become aware that some of his contemporaries, perhaps even friends or classmates, will be seeing his mother in a way that he cannot. Do you see the problem?”

“I had not thought of that,” Guy admitted. “What about the husband? Won’t he have the same feelings?”

“Do you have those feelings?” Rhonda countered quickly. Guy nodded.

“You won’t find it on our website, but we are critically concerned that a wife or mother’s stay here not do any damage to her family. What good does a new body do if it causes the marriage to deteriorate or if it alienates a child?”

“I’m surprised that you get any wives or mothers to come here.”

“Oh, only about 70% of our usual residents.”

“Really? Are there that many open-minded husbands?” Guy asked in amazement.

“There are many husbands who are willing to partner with their wives in changing their appearance and improving their health and their longevity prospects,” Rhonda stated.

Guy did not know what to say to that, and sat silent. Rhonda decided to plunge right in. “Mr. Marshall, something else that the website does not say clearly is that it is usually not just the wife and mother who has to deal with the nudity. In a family where there is love and closeness, like yours, we believe it is essential for the husband and older children to get at least minimally comfortable with nudity. Can you see why that is important?”

“That certainly was not in any of the literature,” Guy said, dodging the question. “Are you implying what I think you are?”

“I’m not implying anything,” Rhonda assured him. “Given your family situation, here is what will have to happen in order for your wife to enroll here. When she comes to interview for enrollment, your whole family will come with her. You and your wife will go through the process nude.”

What Rhonda told Guy was different from the normal admission process, but such differences were becoming more common. From information given by Carrie, a team had spent an hour putting together the plan for Ginny and her family.

If Guy did not know what to say before, he was really speechless at that revelation. Rhonda just waited him out, and he finally said “I understand you are always full, and you say 70% of the women are married? It’s hard to believe that many men are willing to strip like that, especially in front of their daughters.”

“Are you willing, Mr. Marshall?” Guy knew that question would be coming. Nothing in his research had prepared him for that. “Do you think perhaps your wife’s reluctance is because she knows and is afraid to ask you?”

“Well, that would be like her, all right,” Guy agreed. His response, his tone, and the look on his face told Rhonda everything she needed to know. The strong love was obviously there.

“So, no matter how badly a wife wants to enroll; no matter if the husband wants her to do it and is willing to pay; if he won’t strip, she can’t come here. Is that the way it works?”

“Not exactly,” Rhonda dodged. “We evaluate each family on its own. I have to tell you that we don’t see the kind of closeness that I detect in your marriage all the time. Frankly, some marriages would not be damaged any further by the wife’s exposure. Your family is a rarity, what we call our ‘A’ model.”

“So, you’re saying we have more to lose, and you don’t want to risk it?”

“Well put. Mr. Marshall, how important is losing weight to your wife? How important is it to your marriage,” Rhonda probed. “Is concern about her weight affecting her personality? Is it impacting your love life?”

Guy chuckled a little. “I guess you’ve been through so many of these that you know what happens. Yes, there has been a definite change in her personality, and I would really like to have her back to the upbeat person she naturally is.”

“Is it important enough to you to let her live naked with some men and boys constantly around her?”

“Oof. You don’t pull any punches, do you? I guess that’s why I’m here. I need to find out if I can support her if she brings up Rejuve.”

“Well, what is the verdict so far?” Rhonda challenged.

Guy let out a long breath. “You know, it actually makes me feel a little better, knowing that I will have to do a little of what she has to live with.”

“Does that mean that to support Ginny’s weight loss you are willing to let a number of women see your penis?”

“Wow!”

“And particularly, are you willing to let your daughter see your penis?”

Guy just stared after that question.

“I need to warn you that it won’t be just that first interview, either.”

“Oh. Well, it will still be nothing compared to what it is for her,” Guy mused.

“That’s true, but I need to explain a few things,” Rhonda said. “First of all, nudity is surprisingly easy for us women. After the first two or three days, it won’t bother your wife at all. Men just are not as comfortable nude.” She went on to relate the brief history of the men’s section of Transformations. “Again, what is your verdict so far? Can you do it?”

“What about Ginny? How will she react to Pen seeing her? Why can’t that be left until she loses the weight?” He was not intentionally dodging the question, and Rhonda could tell.

“No, Guy, it would be wrong to do it that way for a number of reasons.” It was the only time Rhonda had used his first name. “Look, I want to answer that more fully, and I want to cover some other important theories that we work under. It is unique to have the husband here beforehand. First, though, are you serious about supporting your wife when she enrolls here?”

“I really haven’t been dodging that question. Yes, I’m serious. I can do what I need to do. I want the old Ginny back.”

“OK. If you are serious, go down the hall to the men’s room. There’s a shower and a some lockers. When you are ready, come back here nude. Then, we’ll talk some more.”

That was definitely not something Guy expected, nor was he ready for it. While he was still in shock, Rhonda handed him the phone. “Before you go, would you please call your daughter? Just tell her it is OK to talk with me and cooperate with me. Then you can go and, uh, change clothes, so to speak.” Her cheeky grin did not help Guy a lot.

Guy was able to reach Krissy. He was as non-committal as he could be, but he did convince his daughter that he was working with Rhonda on something important and that Krissy should cooperate with Rhonda in anything she asked.

Rhonda took the phone, a cordless, and as she introduced herself to Krissy, she came around the desk, helped Guy to his feet, and sent him toward the Men’s room.

Every family encounter was a little different, but Rhonda had handled a lot of them in Rejuve’s early months. From the way Guy had described his daughter, it sounded like the direct approach would be the best. “Krissy, have you heard of Rejuve?”

“Well, sure. Girls talk about it all the time. I think most of my friends don’t believe it really exists.”

“Well, it does. Your mother is interested in coming here. She does not know that your dad has any idea. He is out here now, learning more about it. Is there any way you could come out here if someone came and picked you up?”

“I don’t know how I would explain that to Mom. I guess I could lie a little. She’s at a club meeting right now.”

“Do you have a friend who lives nearby? Could we pick you up at the friend’s house? Do you have your own phone?”

“That would work. I have my phone. Who will be picking me up?”

“Thanks, Krissy. This could be important to your family.”

Five minutes later, Rhonda called Krissy again to let her know that a cab would be right there. “Do you have plenty of minutes? I’d like to talk to you while you ride here?”

“I’m fine for an hour or so,” Krissy replied.

“Good. I’m going to throw a lot at you in a short time. I guess you’ve noticed changes in your mother since she gained the weight.”

“I sure have,” Krissy agreed. “She tries not to let on, but she’s not the same.”

“Well, it sounds like Rejuve would be perfect for her. Let me tell you why you’re on the way out here.” Rhonda proceeded to tell the disbelieving girl about what her dad had to do if her mother enrolled. When Rhonda said “At the initial interview, you and your brother need to be there. Both of your parents will be nude,” Krissy actually dropped the phone.

“Are you still there, Krissy? Krisssy?”

“Y ... yeah. You ... you didn’t say what I thought I heard, did you?”

“You heard right. As we speak, your dad is in a little locker room. He’s probably working up the courage to come out naked and hear about our philosophy from some very nice women who have seen many, many naked people.”

Krissy managed to hang on to the phone that time, but just barely. “Have you guessed why we want you here right now?”

“Oh, God!”

“If you’re at all like me, you’re about to realize one of your biggest fantasies and relieve one of your biggest frustrations, Krissy.”

“Oh, God! Uh ... I don’t know if ... What will Daddy think?”

“Your Daddy is a very loving and very brave man. If we do this tonight, it will be so much easier for him at the big interview. He’ll be better able to support your mom.”

“So, this is to all to help Mom, huh?”

“That’s right.”

“I didn’t know she was even planning to go there.”

“I think she has been afraid to bring it up. Your Dad says she has been investigating it for a few months.”

“She has a good friend, Carrie Martenson, who went there,” Krissy revealed.

“Yes. Carrie called to tell us about the situation. Thanks. Well, you’re close. Any quick questions?”

“Um, uh, will I have to...” Because of the driver, that’s all Krissy wanted to say.

“It would be better if you didn’t. You can do that at home some time,” Rhonda answered, knowing that her answer would cause as much concern as relief.

Walking back from the Men’s to the office was one of the hardest things Guy had ever done. He had taken time to take the edge off in the shower. It also served to delay having to leave the little locker room. When he got to the office, Rhonda was on the phone, but two other women were with her.

Guy actually had to brace himself against the door frame when he saw the other women. They reacted quickly, introducing themselves and trying to assure him that nudity was nothing to worry about. Of course, they were only minimally successful.

Because of the time he had taken in the locker room, Krissy had arrived. Guy had barely noticed when Rhonda left the room. She had gone to greet and brief Krissy.

He was still trying make sense of everything when suddenly, his daughter was pulling his face down and kissing him in a way she never had before. There were tears in her eyes and a catch in her voice when she said “How am I ever going to find a man as loving as you?”

While Krissy ended the kiss and hugged herself to him with one arm, Rhonda explained “Please don’t be offended. Krissy seeing you naked was going to happen before your wife could enroll. I decided that getting that shock out of the way tonight would make you better able to support your wife.”

“But she hasn’t even said she’s ready to come!” Guy objected.

“That will be taken care of. We happen to have a couple of immediate openings. Because of your family, your wife sounds like the kind of certain success story we like.” Rhonda grinned after that comment.

“There are a number of philosophical positions common to the whole Transformations community that we want to explain to you,” Rhonda said when they were all seated. “There is a reason we are putting you through something that we know is terribly embarrassing. No matter how successful we are at improving a woman’s appearance, health, and outlook, if her family relationships end up being damaged, we have failed. We are, after all, an organization founded on strong psychological principles and objectives. As you will find out, there are numerous instances of multiple members of the same family working here, so we live what we believe in.

“Before you ask, yes, everyone here, and I mean everyone, spends time nude with everyone else on staff. That includes family members. As hard as it may be for the general public to believe, nudity is no big deal.