Chapter 7

The ‘attic’ space in the Menninger house was a huge rectangle. At sometime in the past, it had been finished to the extent of flooring, ceiling, walls, electric outlets, lights, and vents for heating and air conditioning. The challenge now was to set it up for extended housing for ten nude teens.

After some discussion, it was decided to carpet the whole area and build some adequate bathroom facilities. Everything else would be moveable and changeable. That meant beds, armoires, chests, desks, and whatever kind of partitions were appropriate. It turned out that the best alternative for bathrooms was to build one at each end of one long wall. With two toilet rooms, three vanity spaces, a three head shower, and a jet tub in each, the expense was not trivial. Both women felt that satisfactory bathrooms would make the other openness and lack of privacy more acceptable. Actually, some lack of privacy was purposeful, as nude coed living together was an important part of the overall strategy.

A small seating area with a TV was set up at each end of the other long wall. Some six foot high office partitions were found used and there were enough to construct twelve minimal bedrooms and some study carrels. The area was open except for three support columns down the center at sixteen foot intervals. Each ‘bedroom’ was 8 by 8 and was anchored at one corner by a main support column.

Each cubicle had a bed and a knock-down combination dresser/desk. Hanging clothes went on a pipe that ran atop the back of each cubicle to brace the ‘wall’ that was not anchored to a column. Study carrels with small desks and chairs were spaced around the outside walls.

There would undoubtedly be many mistakes and miscalculations discovered, but the sisters were satisfied with their decisions. The bathrooms and carpeting took just two weeks to complete, and the furniture and partitions were all delivered.

Albert laid out where everything should be and how it should be connected. Stefan Djuric insisted on being right in the middle of it. He and Yva and Jess demanded to be allowed to assemble everything. Katrina quietly told Celeste and Albert it would be a great way to let the teens feel like they had worked off some of their obligation.

Katrina was particularly concerned about Ryan Douglas’ situation. She did not want to be responsible for contributing to lifelong enmity between mother and son. Too often in her practice, she had seen that result of over-parenting. At the same time, she did not want to see Ryan’s potential truncated by his mother’s lack of understanding of the true parenting mission. She decided the direct approach was required.

When Suzanne Douglas answered the phone, Katrina told her name and said “I imagine you think of me as the witch who is trying to steal your son.” When Suzanne stammered without really replying, Katrina pressed. “Mrs. Douglas, can I drive out and talk to you in person?” That involved a little planning, something that Suzanne was very comfortable with, and a visit was arranged for two days later. Katrina insisted that she first speak with Suzanne alone. Although she could have spent much more time on the phone learning what attitudes she might have to deal with, Katrina decided she would rather do that face to face.

When Katrina arrived at the Douglas house, Rodney joined in the welcome, then disappeared. Actually, he provided all that could be called a welcome. Suzanne’s demeanor was at best icy. When they were seated in the nice study of the home, Katrina preempted any discussion by starting a monologue.

“Mrs. Douglas, my brother, my sister, and I all have Mensa-level IQs. We all suffered from the kind of shyness and social awkwardness that is so common among highly intelligent teens. Fortunately, our parents sought professional help in working us out of that ‘nerd’ phase. That has allowed all of us to succeed in our careers.” She could see Suzanne about to try to say something, so she held up her hand.

“I am a clinical psychologist with a Ph.D. and over twenty years in practice. I have seen many cases with similarities to your situation. Now, I am going to describe what I believe has happened in the relationship between you and Ryan. I am going to ask you to just listen as I describe the outcomes I have seen. Afterwards, you can argue that I am seeing it all wrong. Will you allow me to do that?”

Suzanne had little experience with extremely strong women. Katrina had guessed that and had tailored her approach accordingly, even though it was certainly not her normal style. Suzanne grudgingly nodded her head and Katrina gave her no chance for further consideration.

“My understanding, Mrs. Douglas, is that you have continued to parent Ryan much as you did when he was eight years old.” She had to hold up her hand again to keep from being interrupted. “As a consequence, Ryan feels smothered and has no real sense of who he is. In my practice, I have seen two predominant outcomes of that kind of parenting.

“One outcome is a lifelong ‘mama’s boy’. Usually, the son does not find a satisfactory life mate and does not achieve anywhere near his potential professionally. His social life remains centered around his mother and when she dies, he is left directionless.

“The other outcome is ‘escape’ by the son. He completely separates himself from any contact with his mother. She never sees any grandchildren he may father. Unfortunately, the anger he carries with him toward his mother adversely affects his success both personally and professionally.

“Now, before you say anything, I am offering to pay the fees of a local psychologist or psychiatrist you choose. I want you to get their opinion of your relationship with Ryan. That way, you will have some evidence to argue with me. Are you willing to see someone?”

Katrina fully expected a tirade, and she got over ten minutes’ worth, complete with tears and drama. She listened impassively. When Suzanne ran down, Katrina asked quietly “Mrs. Douglas, what part of Ryan’s life is he completely responsible for, without your control?”

Suzanne blustered a bit, but could not come up with an answer. Then, Katrina caught the first thoughtful look. Celia claimed that Suzanne was very intelligent, and Katrina had bet on that helping.

“Mrs. Douglas, if I am right, you are at a decision point in your lifelong relationship with your son. Here is what I think you should do. I think you should bring Ryan to my home to start his stay. I think you should refrain from any instructions or cautions. If you show support for his summer, it could it erase a lot of feelings from past years. Remember, in college, he will learn how other students’ parents treated them, and he will understand how badly he was smothered. You need to take corrective actions right now.

“I also think that you should visit during the summer. That will really make a statement to him. I’m not sure if you know it, but the house will be all nude all summer. Visitors will have to undress, too.”

“N ... n ... nude?”

Katrina quickly covered the theory of nudity’s effect on reducing shyness and described the success they already had with the high school students.

“Mrs. Douglas, please find a psychologist. Have them call me and I will arrange payment. Trust me! Your future relationship with your son is in the balance. Thank you for seeing me.” Katrina quickly placed one of her cards on the coffee table and left the house on her own.

It was evening, so she drove past the Richards’ house far enough so Suzanne would not see that she had stopped there, then walked back. She had told Celia she would be coming and called her before she left the parked car. Ryan had not been warned and Celia and Jared would make sure he did not get to cover up when Katrina arrived.

Frankly, Katrina was surprised that Ryan’s brain found enough blood to greet her. Between the whole body blush and his rigid, pulsing cock, there was little blood left for his brain to use. At least there was evidence that his constant nudity was having an effect. It was not many minutes before he was able to converse about Katrina’s visit with his mother.

“A psychologist!” Ryan snorted. “That will be the day! That would be admitting she may have done something wrong or there may be something she does not know or understand. That just can’t happen.”

“Hopefully, Ryan, I was able to shake her up enough. I was pretty blunt about her never seeing her grandchildren if something doesn’t change. For a mother, separation from her child is a unique threat.”

“Yeah, she wouldn’t want to give up her toy,” Ryan snarled. Katrina just gave him a long look. That kind of remark seemed so out of place from the boy who could barely talk to her on the phone. She nodded almost unconsciously.

“As crazy as I thought this nudity idea was,” Ryan said softly, “I have to admit it’s working already. I guess some of it is just getting out from under her enough to think at all.” They chatted some more about plans for the summer. Katrina did not want him to stay focused on his mother.

This was Katrina’s first visit with Celia and Jared, so they had a lot to cover, as well. She had nearly a hundred pictures on her iPad of the house, herself, Celeste, Albert, the Djurics, and Jess. The three teens had insisted on some nude pics of themselves, as well.

Taking out her phone and pointing it at Ryan, Katrina teased “Do you want to wait until it is completely soft, or should I take a real life shot?” She wanted to test whether he could handle some more ribald humor. She had no intention of taking the picture. He did not get upset, so that was further evidence of his rapid growth in confidence.

To Celia and Jared, Katrina said “I really think you two should stop wearing clothes. We are all doing that at home. Jared, that probably scares you because Emma is here sometimes. I’m guessing the first time she sees you she will try to strip instantly, but will have trouble because she is crying so hard.”

Jared gaped at her, then admitted “It certainly wouldn’t be the first time, but it’s been a while. I guess you’re right. We do need to get more relaxed. Say, is there any way you could use Emma’s help this summer. She is all right financially, so she could volunteer.”

“Hmmm. What are her skills?”

Celia answered “She is an excellent musician and dancer. But her college degree is in accounting. Maybe she could teach some personal finance.”

“That’s a great idea. My sister, Celeste was planning to do that, but this could be better. Will living nude bother her?”

“Tell me, Katrina,” Jared joked, “has it really bothered any female for very long?”

“I feel obligated to throw something at you,” Katrina retorted, “but you are far more perceptive than a mere male should be. That is supposed to be a deep secret. Oh, that is one of the first topics I want to address when everyone gets nude. I believe a great deal of the poor social development of exceptionally intelligent teens is inability to understand the opposite sex. Understanding being impossible, I want to give enough guidelines and assurances about the differences in sexes to increase everyone’s comfort level.”

Despite Ryan’s skepticism, Katrina was not that surprised when she received a call from a Dr. Candace Bridges, a consulting psychologist in Ryan’s town. Preempting the other professional, Katrina told her “I believe it would be best if you hear absolutely nothing about this situation from me, at least not up front. I will send you a check to cover three visits. I would be pleased if you call me for more.”

The next call from Dr. Bridges came three days later. “Dr. Menninger, may I call you Katrina? I prefer Candace, myself.” Katrina agreed. “I need to thank you for giving me something refreshing to work on. Oh, I’ve seen more over-mothering cases than I can count, but your summer program for the kids is amazing. I think many of us in practice have had thoughts about some form of shock therapy for socially retarded geniuses. Yours is the first really bold step I have heard of. I would love to meet you and maybe even see your place.

“But that’s another topic. It was wise to tell me nothing upfront. Suzanne could not believe I knew nothing and I believe I have been able to establish myself as her advocate. The reason I called is that I really need to talk with Ryan. I consider him your patient in a way and I wanted your approval. I also want to know how best to speak to him without interfering in anything you have set up for him.”

“Well, thank you, Candace. That is very considerate. What I would like for your interview with Ryan is really unusual. As I’m sure you know, he is living with neighbors. You may not know that he is living naked on my instructions. If you think you can do it, I would like you to arrange to drop in and have the neighbors make sure he does not dress.”

There was quite a silence before Candace said “I should not be surprised at how much I did not get from Suzanne. Does she even know her son is living there naked?”

“I did not tell her. I basically told her to find you. I also told her she should move Ryan here for the summer and be completely non-parental about it. I told her that was critical for any future relationship with him. I hope that is not too much interference up front with your case.”

“I believe I would eventually tell her that myself,” Candace said.

“Actually, if you feel you really have her confidence, why don’t you accompany them when Ryan moves here. You can be the one to keep her from making her old mistakes.”

“And you would pay for that?” Candace seemed amazed.

“I am fortunate to be able to fund this. Actually, half of the ten students have parents who insist on paying their share,” Katrina explained.

“I am not even going to worry about interviewing a naked client at home. This is all just too fascinating to fret about ethics. Actually, Ryan is not a client, is he? Is it all right if I call you after I speak with Ryan? I will keep our interactions secret from Suzanne.”

The very next evening Candace called again. “My husband is recovering, hopefully for another round. I barely let him finish dinner, which was carry out. Katrina, I will be much better able to deal with patients who are cougars from now on. I understand you have seen Ryan au naturelle. I hope you have ready relief at hand this summer.” She giggled after that.

“Your plan for interviewing him was very perceptive. Baring himself has become very important to him because it is what he considers a major thing he is doing very much against his mother’s wishes.”