Continuation from the previous part, 3 - The Discovery
The sun rose on the second day of the Johnson family’s stay at Edith’s Eden. The family members, still adjusting to the environment and their discovery the previous day, gathered around the breakfast table.
Everyone, as we could have expected was dressed. Shorts, t’s and flip-flops were the standard outfit. The conversation was casual, with the family discussing their plans for the day. No one seemed ready to break the topic of naturism and their encounter of the nudist community.
"I’d love going for a swim in the lake today," Max said, sipping his orange juice.
“That’s a great idea,” Jack confirmed.
Sophie, feeling bold and determined, spoke up. "On my side, I’ve decided to give that nudist thing a try. I’m going to spend the day naked and see how it feels."
The family exchanged glances, and Jack replied hesitantly, "Well, it’s up to you, Sophie. We’re here to explore new experiences, after all."
Mary looked at Sophie with a mix of concern. "Are you sure, Sophie? I mean, it’s a big step."
Sophie nodded confidently. "Yeah, I want to give it a fair shot. It might be fun!"
Max looked at his sister with a sense of concern and unease. He had never seen a girl naked except at his friend’s, Joey, house, who went onto the internet to show Max pictures of naked girls on his smartphone. But seeing her sister was something different he felt, and his brain could not fathom the idea.
“Don’t look at me like that, Max,” Sophie said, with a grin. “It’s just a body. I’m sure you’ve seen a lot on the web with your buddies,” she continued, standing up and putting her plate in the dishwasher.
Sophie went back to her room, shed her clothes, took a shower, grabbed a towel and ventured, naked, through the cabin.
Jack, Mary, and Max, who were still sitting at the kitchen table looked at Sophie, mesmerized by her confidence walking naked in front of them. Without a single word pronounced, she stepped outside, went out onto the lawn in front of the cabin, stretching out on a towel to soak up the sun. She sighed heavily once lying on the towel. Deep inside, Sophie was petrified but determine to fake it.
The sight of their naked daughter gave Jack and Mary pause. They exchanged glances and looked at Max. The atmosphere was loaded with a sense of uneasiness that was palpable.
“Well, that was not expected, but it’s an interesting twist of the holiday,” Jack tried, pinching his lips.
“It is. Honey, are you okay?” Mary asked, putting a hand on Max’s forearm.
“Yeah, yeah,” Max nodded.
“Buddy, there’s really no harm here,” Max tried to cool down the atmosphere. “A lot of people are nudist, including families. There’s nothing wrong happening here.”
“How can you be so sure?” Mary asked, looking puzzled and a little bit angry at her husband.
Jack pulled out his phone and opened a few pages he searched and read the previous evening. "You know, there are a lot of articles and studies out there that talk about the benefits of naturism. Some sources claim that it can improve self-esteem, body image, and even mental health."
Mary raised an eyebrow. "Really? What kind of sources are you finding?"
Jack scrolled through his phone, sharing some of the findings. "There’s an article here from Psychology Today that says that naturism can help people feel more comfortable in their own skin and develop a greater appreciation for the human body. And this study from the British Psychological Society suggests that participating in nudist activities can lead to higher life satisfaction and overall happiness."
Mary listened intently, weighing the information Jack presented. "That’s interesting, but what about the family aspect? How does it affect relationships within the family?"
Jack continued his search, finding more information on the subject. "According to this article from The Naturist Society, families that practice naturism together often report stronger bonds and increased communication. It seems like the shared experience of vulnerability and openness can bring people closer together."
Mary considered Jack’s findings, looked out the window at Sophie, who seemed to be enjoying herself and went back to the kitchen table where Max was slowly stirring his corn flakes. "Well, if there are potential benefits for our family, maybe we should give it a try?"
Jack continued, "There are also social benefits. Naturist communities tend to be more accepting and inclusive, fostering strong connections between people. In fact, a study from the University of British Columbia found that nudist activities can promote positive family relationships and bonding."
Max, still sitting on the fence, listened intently but remained unconvinced. "But what about… you know… the awkwardness of being naked around other people?"
Jack nodded. "It’s natural to feel that way at first, but it’s important to remember that everyone in the community is in the same situation. Over time, people become more comfortable with their own bodies and the bodies of others, leading to a more open and accepting environment."
Mary hesitated, the information slowly sinking in. "I understand the benefits, but I still can’t shake the feeling that it’s… well, indecent."
Sophie entered the room as her mother was speaking. She frowned, feeling frustrated with her parents’ reluctance. She stood in front of the table, in her full nudity and addressed them directly. "How can you call it indecent? It’s about freedom, acceptance, and a connection to nature. Don’t you think it’s time to let go of your prudish attitudes and give it a chance?"
Jack and Mary exchanged glances, both considering their daughter’s words. Mary sighed. "Maybe you’re right, Sophie. I suppose we could give it a try, at least in the privacy of our own cabin. But, as you can see, this is making Max uncomfortable. We’re a family and we cannot act selfishly."
“Max will get used to it. There were plenty of kids his age yesterday. Don’t you think, dumbass?” Sophie asked with a mischievous smile.
“Don’t call me dumbass, it’s stupid.”
“Sophie, apologize!” Mary ordered her daughter.
“Sorry Max. But you were excited yesterday at the perspective of playing with the other kids. Even this morning you said you wanted to swim in the lake. Just go for it and keep a swimsuit!” Sophie burst.
“Okay, kidos, let’s get quiet for a while,” Max interjected. “We’re all uncomfortable with the situation.”
“I’m not,” Sophie interrupted. “You are!”
“Okay, we are, particularly Max.”
“And me,” Mary interrupted.
“Okay, Mum and Max are. This is a good enough reason to move slowly while being calm and respectful,” Jack said in an attempt to bring peace back around the table. “Sophie, enjoy the sun the way we want, this is fine. Max, mum and I will continue discussing and we will come to a decision which should be good for the whole family. Is that okay for you?”
“Decide whatever you want, I’m going to put some sunscreen and read outside. Let me know when your decision is made,” Sophie said while going to the bathroom to fetch the sunscreen.
“Max, Mary. Let’s close the topic of nudism for the time being. What about a game of frisbee?” Jack proposed.
“I’m in,” Max confirmed. “Let’s go!” He stood up and started to clear the table.
Jack and Mary went back to their room. “Mary, Sophie is leading the way for you, I’m going to lead the way for Max.” Jack said as he took his shirt and shorts off.
“Are you sure?” Mary asked with a hesitating voice.
“Yep. With the discussion we had this morning and the many benefits I read over the net, I’m convinced nudism can be a great thing for our family. Having said that, let’s make it very clear that we need to keep the discussion open, that everyone is free to express his or her feeling openly and decide or not to shed his or her clothes. Respect should be the key word here. Are we okay?” Jack asked looking at Mary deep in her eyes.
“Okay, okay,” Mary replied. “This is going to be a little bit hard, but let’s try.”
Jack grabbed the frisbee and stepped out of the cabin naked, followed by Mary still in her shorts and shirt.
Sophie saw her father naked, and her gaze froze. She had never seen her father naked before. She felt strange.
“Now what?” She said in her head. “This is what you wanted.” Her thoughts were stopped by Jack’s voice.
“Ready for a game of frisbee?” Jack asked to her daughter.
Sophie, still hesitant, agreed, and they all began a game of frisbee, laughter mixed with nervousness filling the air. Max joined quickly, wearing just his preferred board shorts. The family, Sophie and Jack naked, Mary and Max clothed, played joyfully. Slowly, the atmosphere became lighter. After a while, Mary, sweating, asked for a break and took her shirt and shorts off, keeping the bottom of her swimsuit.
Not a word was ushered by any member of the family as Mary undressed and came back to the game. The remainder of the day was filled with various enjoyable activities, including games of frisbee, volleyball, and mölkky, as well as a delectable barbecue lunch.
Over dinner that night, the family gathered to discuss the day’s events. Max, still clothed, hesitated as he shared his thoughts. "I don’t know. It’s just so strange to me. I’m not sure I’m ready to embrace it. It’s weird to see you naked here."
Sophie, still bare-chested, countered, "But you can see how much more relaxed and happy we are, right?"
Mary, added, "It’s definitely been an eye-opening experience. We should meet other nudists, don’t you think? The question I have though is what does this mean to us as a family?”
Jack nodded thoughtfully. "Those are good questions. I think we need to take some time to reflect on our experiences today and decide together what our next steps should be."
The dinner conversation continued, filled with passionate arguments, emotional sharing, and moments of doubt. Sophie, firmly in support of naturism, urged her parents to let go their preconceived notions and fully embrace the lifestyle.
Max, still unsure, finally spoke up. "Look, I know you all seem to be enjoying this, but I’m just not comfortable yet. I need some more time to think about it."
Mary reached over and patted Max’s hand. "It’s okay, Max. We don’t expect you to jump into this without giving it some thought. We’re all in this together, and we’ll figure it out as a family."
Jack, sensing the tension in the room, suggested they all sleep on their thoughts and reconvene the following day. "Let’s take tonight to really consider how we feel about naturism and what it means for our family. Tomorrow, we can discuss our thoughts and decide if we want to meet the other nudists or not."
The family members agreed, and as they cleaned up after dinner, they each retreated to their own corners of the cabin, contemplating their experiences and emotions. Sophie, still naked, felt a sense of liberation and connection to nature that she had never experienced before. Jack, intrigued by the potential benefits, found himself open to the idea of exploring the nudist lifestyle further. Mary, having faced her fears and confronted her preconceived notions, began to wonder if there was more to naturism than she had initially thought. Max, still hesitant, weighed the pros and cons, trying to decide if he could find a place for himself within the naturist community.
As the sun set and the cabin grew quiet, the Johnsons found themselves on the precipice of a significant decision. With each family member grappling with their own thoughts and feelings about naturism, the outcome remained uncertain. As the night wore on, they each drifted off to sleep, unsure of what the next day would bring and whether they would choose to embrace the nudist lifestyle or return to the familiar comfort of their clothes.
To be continued…
This is a good chapter. I find it interesting that Max is the one who is reluctant at this point. I always imagined that embracing naturism was more difficult for women.