Nothing Like Naked

As she packed up her gear, her cell went off.  Looking at the screen, she recognized her Mom’s number. Holding the phone to her ear while she walked to her car, Marti smiled as she greeted her Mom.

"What’s up, Mom?"

"Do you have a minute, honey?  I know it’s your work day."

"Sure. We’ve finished my piece for the day. I’m just heading back to the studio."

"Oh, I just wanted you to know I’m worried about Aunt Shirley. It seems she’s gone off the deep end and moved into some nudist colony in Greenville, SC. I don’t know what to say to her, and you were always her favorite. Maybe you could call and talk to her."

Marti shook her head. Aunt Shirley at a nudist resort! Well, that would be earth shattering to Mom. Frankly, she wasn’t surprised. There were nudist resorts all over Florida with its tropical climate. But, South Carolina was in the Bible belt where nudism wasn’t cool.

"Mom, you know Aunt Shirley’s a free spirit. Why does this surprise you?  She’s an adult. Let her live her life."

"Marti, I’m scared they’re going to take her money. She paid for a year’s rent in advance. Now, tell me who demands that kind of money?  I’m afraid they will milk her retirement."

"Okay, Mom. I’ll call her tonight. Right now I’ve got to get to the studio for some voiceovers. I’ll talk to you this weekend. Give Dad a hug for me."

Driving through city traffic, Marti thought about the phone call. Her mother was always watching over everybody. As the oldest child, she had been like a Mom in a lot of ways to Shirley who was the baby girl in a family of five. Now, sixty years later she was still playing mother whether Shirley needed it or not. But, moving to a nudist resort was a little far out even for Aunt Shirley who had traveled the world like a gypsy. When her husband died suddenly, Shirley was left with lots of time and money. She had invested the money and took off on cruises to see the world.