Week 12: Early August

Sunday

Things were moving so well, it was decided that Kathy's children should come for their normal Sunday outing. Kathy was told, and was, of course, horrified at the thought of her children seeing her naked. There was another long, emotional discussion, and it was now clear that this process would be necessary at each step of Kathy's escalating sensual exposure. As before, the horror of divorce was motive enough to get her to do just about anything. They had debated about just springing it on her Sunday, but decided she had progressed enough to deserve this consideration.

The question of Caroline's nudity was brought up, and everyone agreed that she should dress. Everyone but Caroline, that is. She was adamant that her support for her daughter and daughter-in-law was not just for the easy situations. She was sticking it out.

Once she was reconciled to her kids seeing her, Kathy asked if Ted was coming. When told that he was not, her expression was a mix of relief and disappointment.

By agreement of the others, Kathy was alone on the patio when Greg brought her children. She was near tears with embarrassment when they all piled onto her. The girls had been carefully instructed not to acknowledge their mother's lack of clothes. Sean probably did not notice. At first contact, Kathy seemed to recoil a bit, then grabbed a child with each arm, hugged fiercely, and, of course, cried. Moist eyes and sniffles from the girls indicated that they were not acting. By this time, all the others, Greg, Shannon, Carolyn, Jim, and Julia, had gathered at the patio door. There were more than a few moist eyes in that group, as well.

Caitlin took the lead and started right away with the body talk. "Mom, you have a very nice body! I'm glad we can finally get to see it. I like looking at you." Kathy was taken aback at first, but then thanked her eldest and gave her another hug.

"H... how is your father?" The girls had been instructed on their response to this line of questioning, also. Caitlin again acted as spokeswoman.

"Oh, he's fine. He's working an awful lot, though. I think it's because he is so sad that you're not there. He doesn't hardly smile anymore." Kathy looked on the verge of tears, but held it back. She did not ask any more about Ted.

Inside the family room, Caroline said softly, "I think this is the right time,", opened the patio door and walked out. The girls had not been rehearsed for this part. Both looked shocked when they first saw their naked grandmother. It was Jordan this time who spoke.

"Wow, Grams! You are really beautiful! How come you are naked?"

"Well, Dear, your Mom and your Aunt Shannon have to be naked, and I want to show that I love them and support them, so I'm going naked, too. Thank you for the complement."

Caitlin and Jordan looked at each other briefly, seemed to share a signal, and within seconds shed their clothes. Kathy let out a shriek. "Girls! What are you doing? Get your clothes back on! Your Grandfather and Greg are here! They will see you. Please! Hurry!"

"It's OK, Mom! If they see you, they can see us, too. We love you, and we want to support you just like Grams. We're not getting dressed until we leave!" If the earlier scene was emotional, what followed was off the scale. Kathy was concerned and upset about her girls displaying themselves. But she was far more touched by their symbolic act of love and support.

The rest of the group eventually wandered out onto the patio. When the men first appeared, Kathy looked as if she wanted to shield her daughters from their gaze, but Caroline again was right beside her, soothing and reassuring. The men overdid themselves complementing Kathy on the beauty of her children and how they must have gotten it from her. Everyone worked hard to keep the body talk flowing.

Sean provided the best comic relief of the day. He had been playing by himself in the pool, oblivious to the emotions whirling around him. Long after everyone was on the patio, he got out of the pool and noticed his naked sisters for the first time. He wore a puzzled look for a moment, shrugged his little shoulders, and took off his suit. With a mischievous grin, he faced the group, spread his arms, and sang out "Ta daaaa!" Even Kathy joined in the hearty laughter that followed.

After a good deal of whispered conversation among all the adults but Kathy, Julia and the men went into the house and returned naked. Shannon and Caroline had put themselves right beside Kathy, expecting a strong reaction, which indeed came.

"No, wait! You can't... The girls shouldn't... Oh, no!"

"It's OK, Kathy. Believe me, it's OK. We're all family here. We care for each other. Nobody is going to be hurt. This is good for your girls to learn about men from men who love them. Just relax. It's OK." Kathy responded surprisingly well this time, perhaps being too emotionally spent to become agitated one more time. She observed the girls' wide-eyed fascination with Jim's body. Had she been more aware, she might have wondered why Greg did not receive similar attention.

Jordan went to the diving board and began a long series of dives. Some were very difficult and she had some awkward failures. Many, though, were nearly perfect. Kathy watched silent and motionless for quite a while. Finally, Jordan hit a difficult spin dive perfectly. Kathy stood up and clapped. Jordan saw this, ran to her mother, and hugged her. Kathy returned the hug 'politely' at first, but Jordan put a hand on her mother's bottom and pulled their bellies tight together. Kathy did not resist and looked very happy when the hug broke The three other naked women were beaming in the background, and Shannon and Greg exchanged high-fives. It was another breakthrough moment.

Later in the afternoon, the girls attended Kathy as she worked out. Caroline was also there. When Kathy was finished, Caroline told her the girls were going to give her a massage. Kathy looked at her with wide eyes and quivering lip, but did not object. The girls had learned enough from Terry's massages to make it very pleasurable and relaxing for their mother. There had been considerable group discussion about how far the girls should take things. It was left up to Caroline to decide on the spot. When Kathy turned onto her back, it became obvious that her arousal was building rapidly with both girls working on her. Caroline whispered to each of them and they nodded. As they began stimulating Kathy with serious intent, she started to object, but Caroline was right there whispering in her ear.

"It's OK, Kathy, Dear. Let it happen. This is very important to your girls. Don't disappoint them. Just relax and let them love you." Kathy was still agitated, but Caroline kept up the reassurances until Kathy lost the power to object. It did not happen as suddenly as with Jim the night before, but when it came, the intensity was at least as great. Once again, she lost consciousness for a short time. When she awoke, she suffered an attack of remorse.

"Oh, Caitlin and Jordan! I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have let you do that. It's wrong. I... I..."

"Shhh, Mom. Did it feel good?"

"Oh, it felt, it felt wonderful, but..."

"Then, please, be happy. We haven't had many chances to make you feel good. It made us very happy. Please, be happy with us." Kathy just looked from one to the other, unable to say anything. Each girl held one of her hands, and she gave both a squeeze to signal her acceptance.

At supper on the patio, Shannon announced that she really missed her family. She asked Kathy if Alex and the children could come and spend the night. Janie and Terry had been staying at Ted's, so it would be easy to get them to Greg's. Shannon's request had not been discussed with the others, and everyone hung on Kathy's next words.

"But... but... Terry's a boy, and... and I'm naked, and..."

"Kathy, Terry sees me naked every Thursday. It's OK. He loves you and he understands."

"Then, the... the girls will have to leave, or... or get dressed, 'cause..."

"No, Mom, we want to stay and stay naked. It's OK. We've been naked with Terry before."

"You... you have!? When?... Ohhh! Thursday!"

"Yes, Mom! It has been just wonderful. Janie and Terry are such neat cousins. Terry is a hunk and he is such a gentleman with us. Just wait 'til you see him, Mom. He's just gorgeous!"

"Oooohhhh! I don't know. This is all so much! So different! I've never... I don't know what's right anymore. I don't want to do wrong things, but... Caroline?" Her respect for her mother-in-law showed through again as she looked to Caroline for reassurance.

"Kathy, Terry is a wonderful young man. He treats his sisters and his cousins just like Jim treats me. Shannon, call your family and get them over here!"

"Thanks, Mom. Uhhh, do you want to dress before Terry and Alex get here."

"Oh, Honey, all the rest of the family has seen me. Why not make it a clean sweep. Truth be told, I get a real thrill from the way all my men react to this old body. And I am getting wet thinking about seeing your Alex in the hot tub again. Ooooh, I can't believe I said that!"

"Julia, how about you?"

"I'm feeling like maybe I should go home and leave this to the family."

Caroline spoke sternly, "Don't you dare leave if that is the reason. You have done so much for us, I declare you an honorary family member. Any dissenters? Done. Now, if you want to leave or get dressed for dignity or privacy reasons, feel free. Otherwise, join the fun. I'm sure young Terry's eyeballs will pop out when he sees you."

"Caroline Randolph, shame on you! I thought I had developed a bit of an exhibitionistic streak, but you are way ahead of me. OK, I'll stay, and I'm not dressing!"

Within barely an hour, Alex arrived with Janie and Terry. Terry had not been told his grandmother would be naked. He was stunned when he first saw her. Caroline was extremely composed and gracious, telling him how proud she was of her handsome grandson and how he treated his sister and cousins. When he could speak, he told her he could see where his mother and sister got their beauty. He was hesitant when Caroline hugged him, and he did get hard. She, as usual, was able to defuse his embarrassment.

Her first naked encounter with Terry was another traumatic moment for Kathy. To her credit, she stood and faced him courageously, although she was unable to speak. Terry had been prepared, and he immediately greeted his aunt with some polite body talk. As he spoke, he began to get hard. With almost no embarrassment, he apologized and told her it was because of seeing her. This made her gasp, but her stare at his erection was as fixed as Caitlin's had been. Throughout the rest of the evening, Terry was extremely attentive to Kathy, and she was eventually able to talk with him, although she still had trouble looking at anything but his cock.

Kathy met Alex with surprising aplomb, although her nostrils flared noticeably at her first sight of him. Alex was able to provide some complimentary body talk and did an admirable job of appearing relaxed and friendly. Later, he caught Kathy alone, and was able to draw a smile from her as he joked about the Randolph's and their new fascination with nudity. Kathy was able to step out of her self-absorption and congratulate Alex on their engagement. Alex mentioned this to Julia who considered it another breakthrough.

Eleven bodies were too many for even Greg's large hot tub. As it grew late, the kid's went off by themselves - (Sean had been returned to Ted.) Greg had put some pleasant music on the house system, and the three men and four women settled into the tub. There was a congenial silence for quite a long time. Jim had decided to stay over and drive in to work later in the morning. When a waltz tune came on, he stood, held out his hand to Caroline, and asked her to dance. She made a show of bowing, took his hand, and let him help her from the tub. Bare feet on a wood deck did not make the best situation for dancing, but the two were so striking together that the others were transfixed. It was Kathy that spoke first.

"Ooohh, that is beautiful! But, they shouldn't... I mean..." Confused, Greg asked Kathy to dance with him. "No thank you, Greg. I couldn't. It's... it's not right to... I..." Julia was suddenly alert. With surreptitious eye and hand motions, she signaled the others to leave her alone with Kathy. When the other five had gone, she began skillfully probing into Kathy's strange reaction to the dancing. For almost an hour, the two talked earnestly, moving out of the hot tub when they started to overheat. Sensing something important, everyone else, including the children, vanished completely.

When Julia's conversation with Kathy finally wound down, Julia found Caitlin and Jordan and had them take their mother to bed. Janie and Terry were also directed to their sleeping spots. Julia gathered the rest of the adults in the family room to brief them on her talk with Kathy.

"Folks, we've found the key!" she said with obvious glee. "But, before I go farther, thank you, Caroline, for encouraging me to stay tonight. I would have missed this otherwise. And I also need to say that I have never seen such rapid progress in my whole career - first with you, Shannon, and now with Kathy. It is only the awesome love, caring, and support of this family that has made this happen."

"Amen to that!" Shannon interjected.

"I can't tell you how privileged I feel to witness this. Now, to Kathy. Dancing is the key!" She went on to explain how Kathy, an only child, had been a dancing prodigy as a child. Just after puberty, her mother became incensed at the suggestive positions and costumes she saw on televised dance shows. She cut Kathy off totally, banning her even from school dances. Her mother passed down her own body phobia to her daughter. Her mother's natural domineering personality added further to the scarring of the young girls psyche, planting the seeds for her current problem. Kathy loved to dance. She still loved it, but her love had been submerged under the guilt heaped on by her mother.

"Tonight, after only one week, I believe Kathy's body phobia has been overcome. I believe she could happily give herself to Ted. However, she is not yet a whole person." She went on to explain what she meant. "Ted doesn't not want a Kathy who just submits, even if she does it happily. He deserves a wife who occasionally rapes him." This got a subdued chuckle. "Kathy has that in her, and I want to give Ted that Kathy. She needs something that makes her feel strong and victorious, and I believe dancing can provide that. Here is what we need to do." One more long planning discussion took place.

Kathy had been very reluctant when the girls told her they were going to sleep with her, and naked, besides. When they cuddled right up to her, though, she could not deny the feeling of love and contentment that flowed through her. She had completely used up her store of tears that day, but the feeling was still there as put her arms around both girls and drew them tight to her. Caitlin spoke gently in her mother's ear.

"Mom, we have been sleeping like this with Daddy while you were gone." Kathy gasped, stiffened, and started to sit up. "No, no, no, Mom! We haven't been doing anything bad. We just love him so much and he loves us. His skin feels so wonderful against us, just like yours does now. It's not dirty or bad, Mom, it's loving and beautiful."

"But, you know, Mom," Jordan continued. "Daddy really wishes it was you cuddled up to him. Feeling his warm skin and his love. Don't you want that too, Mom?"

Monday

Greg was up early Monday morning compiling a list of local dance studios and dance instructors. Jim got up about the same time and left for a day of work, planning to return for supper. It had been decided that the bustle and activity of the children being around was good for Kathy, so everyone was staying. Julia was still in Greg's bed, but would be heading off later.

His search turned out to be rather discouraging. The first eight places he visited, he did not even tell them what he was looking for. Either the facility was too shabby or the contact person did not give him any confidence. It was time to break for lunch when he made one more stop. This turned out to be a studio for training serious dancers, particularly ballet. He doubted there would be a fit here, but followed through, anyway. He was able to meet the proprietor, a very regal woman of about sixty, obviously a former dancer. She had an open face and lively eyes that just encouraged him to tell her what he needed. She listened quietly as he told her he needed a male instructor several hours a day and a female instructor evenings for about three weeks. He further stated the extreme need for discretion on the part of the man. She told him she did not think she could provide what he was looking for - it was not the kind of business they did. Resigned to another washout, he stood and thanked her for her time and told her he would have to keep looking. For some unknown reason, he blurted out, "My biggest disappointment is that this is not really about dancing, but about saving a marriage."

The woman immediately asked him to explain what he meant by that. He told her it was very private and sensitive, and it would be best not to talk about it to people who were not involved. "Please, I would like to hear more," she told him. "If what you say is true, I will find a way to help. I think you know I will be discrete or you would not have told me this much."

"Can you break for lunch? I will explain it over a meal." In the time before her next class, he laid out the whole story of Shannon and Kathy, even telling her about the nudity. She particularly questioned him about his own role and his reasons for being involved. When he finished, her eyes were moist and she searched in her purse for a tissue.

In the brief time they talked about her, he found out she had indeed been a professional dancer, and had saved enough money to open her studio upon retirement eight years before. Her name was Elisabeth Rutherford, and she was sixty-one.

He told her he did not know the extent of Kathy's dance training or expertise. "I do know that Ted is an excellent athlete, so he has basic coordination. He also sang in the school chorus, so there must be some musical ability there. His daughter is extremely talented."

"This is a strange assignment, but I am willing to teach Ted for as many hours as he can devote. I'm sure I can at least make him comfortable in a ballroom setting. I have a dear friend that I think can help Kathy. He is a bit older than I am, and a widower. He has never been a professional performer, but a very, very good ballroom dancer. He is an absolute gentleman and very discrete. He spends his time now helping people any way he can."

"I have not mentioned it, but I am willing to pay very well for your help."

"I appreciate that, and I must admit I am not in a position to turn down a reasonable fee. Do not even suggest a payment to my friend, though. He would be terribly insulted. Let me call him and relay your story. Would that be alright?"

"Please do. Also, here is the card of my psychiatrist friend who has played a key role with both these women. Hopefully, she can put to rest any concerns about the propriety of what we are doing."

"After meeting you and hearing the story, I have no concerns. Can I call you later today?"

"I look forward to it. I am going straight home from here."

Greg had barely returned home when the phone rang. A steady, resonant voice said, "This is Gerald Magnusson. I was referred to you by Elisabeth. I am intrigued by what you are doing. I would love to help. As she told you, I am not a dance professional, but I have done both teaching and judging for ballroom dancing. I'm sure I can help."

"I assume Elisabeth told you your student will be naked?"

"Yes, she did. I'm sure we can work through that circumstance."

"Did she also mention there will be one or more other naked women present?"

"She did say that. I would like to discuss with you the reasons for that, but that can wait. Would you like to meet with me before you make a decision?"

"Gerald, unless I am completely fooled by Elisabeth, I think I would trust my fortune to you on her recommendation. No meeting is necessary. I am very grateful for your willingness to help."

"You have read Elisabeth perfectly. She is an exceptional woman. When would you like the lessons to start?" They arranged for him to come out at ten Tuesday morning. He then called Elisabeth and set up Tuesday night for Ted's first lesson. Next, he called Ted and told him what had happened to his next three weeks of evenings. Greg had to volunteer to run shuttle duty for some of the girls' activities, but Ted was willing to do anything once he heard of Kathy's great progress.

Telling Kathy was a task best left for Shannon and Caroline. He spent a long time briefing them on everything he had arranged. Both were concerned about the stranger he had not met, but he was able to convince them it would be OK. Next, they brought in Kathy and told her the plan. She was more upset than she had been in several days, and it took a half hour to work through. The only reason they succeeded was her barely hidden enthusiasm for a chance to dance again. At the end, she shocked them all with a non-negotiable demand.

"Caroline, I will only agree if you promise to be dressed when he is here. Otherwise, I guess it will be a divorce."

"But Kathy, Dear, I committed to support you all the way. I am willing to do this for you."

"I know you are, and your support, both of you, has been an incredible help. But, Caroline, I have respected you as my own mother all these years. I just could not live with myself if you exposed yourself to a complete stranger. I don't need that kind of support anymore. And Shannon, I really wish you would dress, too."

"Kathy, I treasure your respect. Thank you for being concerned about me. I will agree to dress, but only while your teacher is here. Shannon, will you agree, too."

"Mom, Kathy, I said I would stick this out until I reached my goals. But now, I have to think of Alex. He would feel better if I kept my nudity in the family. I will agree for him. Someone will have to run out and get me some clothes." With that settled, Kathy's plan was ready for the next stage.

Greg and Terry were the only males present when Yvonne arrived, and Greg was the only person dressed. Alex and Jim would both arrive later. Yvonne met Caroline and saw the naked kids out by the pool. "What is this? Greg's harem? How come you get to stay dressed and all the women have to be naked? That doesn't seem fair!"

Greg stared at her for a long moment, then started undressing. He removed his shirt and shoes and was unbuckling his shorts when Yvonne spoke. "Greg, stop it! What are you doing?"

"Well, I don't like being accused of being unfair to women. I'm just trying to be fair."

"Please, don't! I'm sorry! I... I... Oh, dammit!"

Greg re-zipped his shorts and picked up his shirt and shoes. "OK, I'll leave you to your planning." Yvonne's face cycled through several shades of color behind him as he left the room. Julia had been there through the whole exchange and hurried out after Greg.

"Greg, wait. Don't leave her like that. She feels bad."

"Julia, I'm sorry, but she's your patient, not mine. It seems like every time I see her, she ambushes me from a different angle. I could never enjoy being with her! I'd always be ducking for cover."

"Don't be too hard on her, please. It's just that she's had..."

"Julia, you aren't supposed to tell me that, so please don't. If she wants to tell me, I'd be delighted to listen. That would be communication. I like that in a woman. All she's doing now is putting me through a test whenever she sees me. If she's still upset about Shannon and the nudity, why doesn't she just say so and quit, instead of taking it out on me."

"God, Greg! I haven't seen you this upset since... well, for a long time. Either Yvonne has gotten you very angry, or you care about her a lot and you're just frustrated."

"Julia, you don't play fair at all. You know I can't get be angry with you, and you hit me with a low blow."

"Sorry, Lover, sometimes the shrink in me comes out even when I don't want it to. Friends?"

"Much more than that. Come here." They exchanged a loving hug. Greg went off to the study, and Julia went to dress, as she could not stay the night.

The hot tub session broke up very quickly that evening. As everyone got up to leave, Greg was about to join them when Caroline put her arm around him and asked him to stay with her a minute. "Greg, Honey, you haven't seemed quite yourself tonight. Anything, or anyone, you want to talk about?"

"Thanks, Mom, but no, nothing in particular."

"Well, how about I bring you out something to drink and you can have some time here by yourself? What would you like?" Solitude seemed very appealing, so he thanked Caroline and told her his choice.

He had been alone for only a few minutes when he heard someone padding barefoot across the deck from behind him. He was totally surprised when a naked Yvonne stood before him on the opposite edge of the pool. The light was dim, but the sight was still breathtaking.

"May I join you, Greg?"

He fairly croaked out "Please do. Uh, why are you naked. You didn't have to."

"I heard this was the late night dress code for your hot tub. Sh... should I go get a suit on?"

"No, Yvonne. You are incredibly beautiful. Please, sit down." When she was seated, he asked, "This was all set up, wasn't it?"

Yvonne stood up and started to climb out of the pool. This view was just as spectacular. "I'm sorry, Greg. I'll leave. All I seem able to do is upset you."

"Yvonne, wait, please! Don't go. I'm sure Julia and Caroline did it hoping to help me. I'm not angry with you." She hesitated, then sat down again. "Believe me, I have never been angry with you. I just feel like I'm always on trial when I'm around you. I just don't know what you want from me."

"I'm not sure I know either, Greg. There are a lot of things about myself I'm not sure of, and it frightens me. Look, I'm Julia's patient, and I'm guessing you are or were too, right? Would it be OK if we told each other our stories? Maybe if you hear my story, you won't think I'm being such a jerk."

"Oh, I'd never think of you as a jerk. Do you want to be Julia first, or shall I?"

For an hour and a half, they shared their stories. He turned the temperature way down so they could stay in the tub longer. Yvonne came from an extremely traditional Hispanic family. Her parents expected early marriage and lots of grandchildren. She loved sports and wanted a college education and a career. She had male cousins who engaged in every form of sexual harassment on her short of rape. Her parents would not listen to her. Both to fend off the marriage expectations and to punish her parents, she declared herself a lesbian. She was kicked out of home, and scratched and clawed her way through college. She was a top student, and was able to establish an excellent business. She had spent two years with Julia, and this had pulled her out of deep depression. She had never had a lesbian experience. Greg told his story, and they asked questions back and forth.

"Greg, I'm twenty-eight. I've never had sex with anyone, man or woman. I've never spent an adult night in bed with another person. I've never been brought to orgasm by another person. I might as well be just hitting puberty. A whole chunk of my life is missing. Julia helped me a lot with the anger and depression. Now, I want to experience the things I've missed."

"Do you still consider yourself a lesbian?"

"I never really have. It was a defensive disguise."

"Are you asking me to help you discover sex?"

There was a long silence, then, "Yes, I am. Will you?"

There it was! He had been attracted to this woman since he first met her. Now he was in a no win situation. He was going to hurt her. No matter how he responded, he was going to hurt her. Would it be by omission or commission? Which would hurt her least? Which would hurt him least?

"What do you think my answer will be?" Now it was Yvonne's turn for a long pause.

""I think you will say no."

"Why would I say no?"

"Because you aren't attracted to me."

"Yvonne!"

"What?"

"You don't need to fish for compliments. Why would I say no?"

"I... I guess I don't know why?"

"Yvonne, do you want me to say yes or say no?"

"Damn you, Greg!!" She was up and out of the hot tub so fast he hardly got a look at her lovely form. He did not try to stop her. He rested his head back against the edge and tried not to think. Within five minutes, Julia slipped in next to him. He squeezed her hand when she took his.

"You're not surprised?"

"I have lost the capacity for surprise, Gorgeous."

"At least your aesthetic sense is still intact."

"As are all these wonderful curves!" He playfully stroked her breasts and hips. They were silent and still for a while.