Friday Morning, Chancellor’s Office at State University 

“Gentlemen!!  Thank you for coming this morning,” said Chancellor Stevens. 

It was 9:30 AM on the Friday before the Memorial Day weekend.  Campus was empty, except for those staff and students preparing for graduation ceremonies.  There were, however, several loose ends that the Chancellor wanted to tie off, before beginning his much-needed summer break. 

He started with his campus security chief.  “Anything new, Gunny, on Professor Franks?” 

Retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant Pete ‘Walt’ Walters, the no-nonsense Chief of Campus Security, ran both general security issues with campus police, and conducted investigations involving campus faculty and staff, especially regarding incidents off-campus. 

“Still nothing!  None of his accounts have been accessed; theft and financial coercion are being ruled out for now.  I talked with Detective Barret, who interviewed Paul Thompson, and several of his old neighbors.  Their story and his story match.  Several neighbors recall seeing Professor Franks drop him off at his apartment building, and drive off, heading north, as if coming back here.  So, his story checked out.  But nothing has been heard from Professor Franks, and nobody has seen him, since!” 

The chancellor played dumb, and looked puzzled.  “You said ‘his old neighbors’.  Has Mister Thompson moved recently?” 

Gunny nodded.  “Yes.  Barret had a tough time tracking him down.  He’s working as a handyman’s assistant at some place called”, he looked at a small notepad in his hand, “Magnolia and Moss Campground.  Sounds like a place for a bunch of tree-huggin’ hippies if you ask me!” 

Chancellor Stevens smiled, but quickly returned to his standard, mildly disinterested, poker face.  He had been there, years ago, on a dare.  He got thrown out as he recalled.  He couldn’t keep it down. 

“Well, it appears that Mister Paul Thompson is off the hook for Professor Franks’ disappearance, which means the University is still on the hook as regards Mister Paul Thompson.  Bud?” 

Buddy Taliaferro was State University’s Dean of the Law School, and as such, represented State University as its head lawyer. 

“The young man in question is holding all the cards, and they’re all ‘Aces and A’s’.  Academically, he’s earned his scholarship, his stipend, and then some.  He has the respect of the professors in the department, and quite honestly, has been in good standing regarding his academics.  As there is no evidence implicating him in Franks’ disappearance, the university has no reason in denying him his scholarship based on that.  In point of fact, he has put his own interests on hold to further the interests of the university, through the Natural Sciences Department, by conducting extra work in the labs and not finishing his degree this semester.  He would have a good case against us if we pulled his scholarship, where it costs us virtually nothing to keep him on as a grad student.   All he needs, really, is a Master’s thesis, approved by Professor Franks, if he ever turns up, or by whichever professor in the department takes him on as his new advisor.” 

Chancellor Stevens wasn’t confused at all, but played dumb just to iron out any issues.  “Aren’t there other costs that we incur by keeping him on?” 

Bud shook his head.  “No!  I don’t see any.  The scholarship money just goes from one pot into another, essentially staying inside the overall university budget.” He paused a moment to think, but he already knew the answer.  “There’s the graduate student health insurance program…” 

“Pennies!  That costs us just pennies per student”, interrupted the Chancellor, shaking his head.  Bud nodded in understanding and agreement. 

“…and his lab budget for equipment and supplies!” finished Bud.  “He receives a small stipend as his part of the science lab budget, and whatever he needed, he was able to find cheaply enough.  A very frugal buyer!!  If all our departments could be so frugal, fundraising wouldn’t be an issue, and tuition could be halved.”  Laughter rang around the office. 

The chancellor weighed a few things in his mind.  “Well, you both have confirmed several things that I already knew, and now feel justified in my actions.  Let’s keep him on-board and help him out where we can.  If he has a need for something, something the University can provide, let him have it.  Within reason, of course.”  He was looking at Gunny, who nodded, knowing what the chancellor wanted.  Somehow, the chancellor was a step ahead.  

The Chancellor addressed both men.  “I told the staff in maintenance to ask about getting him onto whatever customer plans the university is on, so that he gets the best deals and the greatest possible discounts!  Although, from what you said, Bud, the young man knows the value of a dollar, and does frugal from the get-go!” 

Everyone nodded.  There wasn’t much else to say about Professor Franks’ disappearance.  Nor much more to say about Paul Thompson, either. 

“Gunny, please keep me in the loop with whatever Detective…what did you say his name was?  Barrett? …has found. Both me and Professor Taliaferro!  Okay, next item, departmental graduation ceremonies are next weekend….” 

* * *

Late Friday Afternoon

The Iversen’s weren’t quite a typical American family.  Gunnar Iversen was a medical doctor, a gifted surgeon, who found the greatest joy in his medical career was going to third world countries as a general practitioner for Physicians without Frontiers.  His wife of twenty years, Frejdis, was currently a stay-at-home mom, but she had her own career, which, at times, included volunteer work at local senior centers, hospice care centers, and hospitals, seeing anyone and everyone, patients, visitors, and medical staff. 

Gunnar had a brother, Lars, and a sister-in-law, Thora, who had one daughter, Kadlin, but she liked to be called Kate.  Lars and Thora, also both in medicine, were killed during a medical expedition in Africa.  Kate, who was almost four at the time, was staying with the soon to be married Gunnar and Frejdis, and she became their daughter.  Kate would often introduce Frejdis and Gunnar as Aunt Mom and Uncle Dad.   

Seven years later, Frejdis gave birth to a set of twins, Junio and Julia.  They were named such because Junio was born on June 30th, four minutes before midnight; Julia six minutes later, two minutes into July 1st. 

That sounds like a typical family, but where it differs from most is that their home has always been one where wearing clothing was optional, and nudity was preferred.  The Iversen’s had been nudists for several generations, even before they immigrated from Denmark, passing through the Virgin Islands.  The current family are fourth and fifth generation Americans, but the family maintained their homes as nude for decades.   

This particular branch of the Iversen clan lived at the end of a cul-de-sac, where their backyard was hidden behind trees and a six-foot fence.  They enjoyed a pool, a Jacuzzi-type tub, and ample room to lie out on the lawn and sunbathe.  Leaving the home, everyone was clothed, with only the bare minimum.  Today was no different. 

It was late Friday afternoon, and the Iversen’s were going camping for the long Memorial Day weekend.  Kate had finished college for the semester, but Junio and Julia still had a few weeks of middle school left.  Gunnar had a few weeks off before he left on another Physicians without Frontiers expedition.  Also, Gunnar and Frejdis were on the M&M Board of Directors, and Saturday was the first big summer board meeting, the first half was only for the board; the second half included all the camp membership who cared to attend.  Even visitors were encouraged to attend, they just had no voting rights. 

Each family member was wearing as little as possible.  Gunnar and Junio were only wearing shorts; Frejdis, Kate, and Julia were wearing short summer dresses.  After a drive of nearly an hour, the Iversen’s were almost to the Magnolia and Moss Family Naturist Campsite.  The twins were in the backseat of the minivan, and getting quite antsy.  The only good thing about wearing clothes for them was taking them off, and as soon as possible, too. 

Gunnar had just made the turn onto Eaglet Drive, the road that runs past the entrance to M&M FNC.  Julia beat Junio to the punch, “Dad, when can we take our clothes off?” 

Gunnar had just straightened the steering wheel, turned his head to smile at Frejdis, who also looked antsy, but hopeful; she knew that by sitting in the front seat, she would have to wait until they got through the gate. 

“I suppose you two can get undressed now.  But, Julia,” he said, catching her eyes with his in the center-mounted rear-view mirror, “this time next year, you may not be able to go all the way, understand?  Your breasts are likely to develop, and you can only get undressed as far as Mom and Kate!” 

When Julia got her dress over her head, and looked at her body and that of her fraternal twin Junio, she knew that, aside from a short bob hairstyle and her gender, she looked just like her brother; even their nipples looked the same right now.  She wasn’t bothered by it.  She was confident in her body image, and knew she looked just as she was supposed to look for a 12-year-old girl.  And if her twin brother looked like her, he should be so blessed. 

Junio didn’t let any time slip by him, either.  He unbuckled his seat belt, pulled his running shorts down to his ankles, and readjusted the towel he was sitting on.  He re-buckled and kicked the shorts off his feet under the middle seat.  With any luck, they would stay there until he got back into the van to leave for home late Monday afternoon.  And if they didn’t leave until after dark, he would be nude until he left for school on Tuesday morning. 

Kate settled for emulating Frejdis.  Frejdis turned around, and looked at the beautiful soon-to-be 24-year old young woman that was her niece, but had grown to love as her own daughter.  She noted that Kate, lost in thought, fingered the gold cross that hung at the base of her throat; the necklace was given to her by her parents just before they left on their fateful trip, 19 years ago, this month, the last time she saw them alive.  It was the only piece of jewelry she wore.  No other necklaces, no earrings, no finger or toe rings, and she wasn’t interested at all in any tattoos or skin piercing jewelry of any kind. 

“We’re almost there, lovely lady, so why don’t you get yourself comfortable.  It’s going to be a long, hot weekend.  And no one will see you from the road.”  

The van had tinted side windows, and as she was directly behind the driver’s seat, would not be seen by any approaching cars on the one-lane-each-way road.  Wasting no time, Kate quickly took off her dress, and set it on the seat.  She looked at herself, and sighed deeply.   She had all the confidence and positive body image of her cousin/sister Julia, but she didn’t have a willowy figure like Frejdis, who still had it even after birthing twins.  Kate had the large-boned appearance of her mother, a bit thicker in her torso, with barely-B-cup breasts, but taller, long reddish-blond hair in a pony-tail, well-muscled arms and long legs, looking every bit a more realistic shield maiden of Norse mythology, not like the over-endowed, bleached-blonde, erotic, semi-nude, and air-brushed artwork would have one believe. 

She wasn’t unhappy with herself, but she wasn’t really looking forward to the weekend.  She had a boyfriend from the fall semester until just before Valentine’s Day.  He thought her nudity was a ‘come-on’, wanted to get a lot friendlier than she was ready for, and when she wouldn’t ‘put out’, decided she was just a tease, that he wasted his time, and moved on.  She hadn’t been on a date since, and, thinking there wouldn’t be anyone close to her age at M&M, she wasn’t really looking forward to a long and lonely weekend, even if it was at M&M.  She let her mind drift again. 

Gunnar turned off the main road into the space in front of the main gate.  As a member of the Board he had a personal pin number to enter in to the call box.  Before he could type the fifth digit, however, he heard a familiar voice. 

“Hello, Magnolia and Moss!  This is Martha!” 

“Hello, Martha!  It’s Gunnar!” he said, with his smile in his voice. 

“Gunnar!  Are you alone, or do you have that lovely family with you?”  Martha already knew the answer, having made reservations for the entire family months ago, when the Board’s annual meetings schedule was set. 

“Aw, thanks, Martha.  You’re always one with the compliments.” 

“Thank you.”  There was a pause as she checked her notes.  “You have your usual spot; Tent Nineteen.  Paul delivered two boxes yesterday.  He’s Howard’s new assistant.  And he chose Seventeen as his residence; such a nice young man!”  As board members and because Gunnar was a doctor, the Iversen’s tent was in a premium spot, central to the entire area, where they could talk directly to the surrounding membership about any problems, or respond quickly to any medical issues.  They all thought it would be nice to have a new neighbor, though, too. 

Kate wasn’t paying much attention, even though she had the utmost respect for ‘Miss Martha’.  But she did pick up on her last statement.  ‘Young man? Young man?  What young man?  I wonder how old this young man is?’ she mused, coming out of the murkiness of her thoughts, still unconsciously fingering the cross necklace. 

As if reading her mind, Martha continued.  “I think he’s twenty-three, or twenty-four, and really handsome.  He’s quite the oarsman.  Howard finally has someone to row with him in his longboat.   And did I mention he’s handsome.  I hope Kate is with you.  She’ll have someone to talk to, when he isn’t busy.  And do you remember…” 

Gunnar was listening, but noticed another car pull up into the space behind his van, just barely out of the travel lane of Eaglet Drive. 

“Martha, I think John just pulled in behind me. You know how he can be?”  John Hamilton was the current Chairman of the Board of Magnolia and Moss, an intense, hard-nosed, ‘the only good business is all business’ kind. 

The gate started to open, but Martha wanted to finish with one more thought. 

“You’ll see Paul momentarily.  He’s directing traffic at the inner parking lot, not that there’s much this time of day.  Howard thought it would be good for him to start learning who’s who, and start putting real faces with names.” 

Gunnar nodded as he gave the van a little gas.  “Good for Howard to have such a wonderful idea.  See you in a minute.” 

The drive up the lane, through the outer lot, waving to Martha as they passed the Admin Office, past an old car that had seen better days, and through the gate into the inner lot, was quick and uneventful, but for everyone under 25, especially Kate, it seemed to take forever.  As they drove through the inner gate, everyone in the Iversen van was looking forward to seeing someone new and different, especially the new guy in Tent 17. 

Kate seemed to be the most interested, since she had been singled out by Miss Martha.  She leaned forward, holding onto the back of Gunnar’s seat.  ‘Someone here is my age!  Here!!  At M&M FNC!!!’  In her mind, M&M FNC sometimes stood for ‘Middle-agers & Minors, Fellas Not College-aged’.   ‘And she did say handsome.  Well, handsome for Miss Martha.  That may be something completely differ…. Oh, my…he is…uh, okay, handsome is a good word!!’  She sighed deeply.  Gunnar felt her hot breath on his neck as he pressed the brake to stop at the center circle, where Paul stood with a clipboard, wearing sunglasses, an orange construction vest that looked a bit small for him, a messenger bag with shoulder strap, and some slip-on shoes. 

When Gunnar had fully stopped, he lowered the window down completely. 

“Hello,” he said, smiling, “you must be Paul!” 

Paul smiled back.  “Yes sir!  Yes, I am!”  He leaned over slightly to peer into the van driver’s window, seeing Frejdis in the passenger seat, and three younger faces further back.  He stopped, and caught his breath when he saw the most mesmerizing sea-green eyes just to the left and a little behind the driver.  No questioning that they were related.  Remembering what he needed to do, he cleared his throat, lifted his clipboard, and said, “And you are…?” 

Gunnar continued.  “The Iversen’s!  First page, probably near the bottom,” he said, helpfully.  Members of the Board and special guests were always listed on the first few pages and alphabetically.  All other members and any new guests would be listed alphabetically, beginning on the next available page. 

Paul instantly recognized the name from the day before.  He placed two parcels into their tent when he helped Stephanie with the mail.  But he checked his clipboard, just to be sure. 

“Must be a typo,” he said, questioningly, looking at his clipboard.  “S-E-N?  Not S-O-N? Anyway, your family is in High Noon Nineteen.  I’m right next to you, in Seventeen.  I’ll try to be a good neighbor,” he joked, hoping to make a good, first impression.  It seemed to work; Gunnar and Frejdis both laughed. 

At that moment, John Hamilton pulled into the Inner Lot.  He turned just as he got into the lot, pulled around, and parked in a centrally located end spot, the car pointing back out.  He got out of his car, wearing his suit from work, removed it all right there, and hung it up in the backseat.  Now nude, with only his briefcase, he walked to the far end of the Pavilion, opposite Naked Laura’s.  Paul was just about to call after him when Gunnar stopped him. 

“That’s John Hamilton, Paul.  He’s Chairman of the Board of Directors.  He knows his way around, probably knows all about you thirteen ways to Sunday, and is far too deep in his thoughts to acknowledge you, let alone respond to you in a coherent manner.  He’s probably going to ‘feel’ the room, and practice his presentations for tomorrow’s board meeting.  It’s something he does; he’s good at it; and it’s probably why he’s been the CBD for so long.” 

Paul nodded in understanding.  “So, that’s Uncle John?  His nephew, Deuce, told me a little about him last night when we had dinner.” 

Gunnar tilted his head, remembering the boy with no eyes he knew from so many years ago, before his own children were born.  Before he could think about it anymore, his, and everyone else’s, attention was drawn to the clattering noise of a golf cart in distress.  Howard was approaching the inner lot from Sunrise.  He turned the cart into a parking space right next to High Noon.  Before he could turn the key, however, it backfired once, and blew out a large cloud of smoke.  He got out and just shook his head before walking the short distance toward Paul and the Iversen’s van. 

“Paul?  I’m not sure what’s wrong with the old gal, but if she isn’t working later, we sure are going to be.  Why don’t you go get some dinner, and try to be ready by six PM.  I can tell you that water, ice, and charcoal will be the number one, two, and three on tonight’s hit parade.  Most folks will get their own firewood from the wood rings we filled yesterday.”  He took the clipboard out of Paul’s hand.  “I’ll fill in here for now.  Hello, Doc!  Since you’re going his way, would you mind giving him a quick ride down?  Paul, please make sure your phone is on, and check it frequently for messages!” 

Paul took off the too-small orange vest, handing it to Howard.  It looked even smaller on Howard, being larger around his waist.  Gunnar tapped a button, the driver’s side door slid open, and Paul got his first view of Kate.  He didn’t realize that she was already nude.  He swallowed hard, like he did several times the previous Monday, and climbed in as Kate moved over, giving him a long once-over. 

“Hi,” he said, shyly, turning around to see the twins in the back seat.  He didn’t want to look at Kate too much, and embarrass himself.  He turned back around and noticed that Frejdis had extended her hand.  He shook it, and felt warmly received. 

When Gunnar pulled up in front of High Noon 19, there was a flurry of activity.  Gunnar and Frejdis got out, removed their pants and dress respectively, and tossed them back onto their seats.  The kids pushed past Kate, and exited the van on the passenger side, walking around to the back hatch and taking several coolers full of food to a spot between the grill and the picnic table, covering them over with a beach towel.  Gunnar and Frejdis both had over-night bags with personal items, and they got them out of the back and tossed them into the tent, checking out the boxes from yesterday’s delivery.  Paul and Kate were still sitting in the middle seat of the van. 

For Paul, this wasn’t the first time he saw a female close to his age nude, but it was the first mutual time.  For Kate, Paul was the first 20-something she’d seen since what’s-his-name dumped her.  Feeling more at ease, she decided to break the ice. 

“If you must know, I don’t have a boyfriend.  He dumped me around Valentine’s Day.”  She sounded bitter, but said it through a forced smile. 

“A week after New Year’s for me,” Paul countered.  They both laughed.  “Well, I need to get my charcoal going if I’m going to get dinner before I get back to work.” 

“Oh, yeah,” replied Kate, awkwardly.  “I’ll see you around, then.” 

“I’m here all weekend,” said Paul, trying to be funny.  He jumped out, turning around at the last moment, and offered his hand to Kate.  She held it, a little tighter then she intended, as she stepped to the ground.  When she stood up straight, he saw that she was tall, only half a head shorter then he was.  ‘She only has to lift her heels, roll a bit onto the balls of her feet to kiss, uh, to, uh….’, he thought.  He stopped himself from thinking along that line. 

She watched as he turned.  Cute butt, she thought.  For Kate, it was the first time in a long time that M&M FNC stood for something entirely different: Manly & Mature Fellow No Companion.  

* * *

Continued in Part 2

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