Free short story - 3

As promised, the free short stories will appear here too. And here's the last of them which appeared in the first publication. I hope you'll enjoy it.

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Water-fight

Bill, Mary-Beth and the children were looking forward to the afternoon.

They’d visit their regular hide-away from the world, where they’d been invited to a fight.

Not an ordinary fight, but one with water pistols and super soakers. It would be a fight to the drench, as their opponents had put it. It wasn’t just a water fight between the two families; most of the people there had signed up for this event.

“We’ll drench them alright,” said Jeff, their son. “I’ll take on Bobby. You can have Linda.”

Carla, his sister, agreed. “I need to get back to her anyway. Remember, last time, when she threw that wet, cold thing at me?” She shivered at the memory. It had been icky. “And mom and dad can take on Corey and Susan. They’re matched.”

Jeff checked his super soaker, and considered it to be in perfect condition. “We’re going to spray them off the park.”

Bill laughed. “Good luck with that, son, we’ll see about that.”

Mary-Beth decided they were ready to leave, so they all piled into the car, and headed out to the park.

None of them could wait until they got there, and get out of their clothes, because their destination was a clothing optional facility, and their water-fight opponents were people who never dared to get naked…

***

As soon as the engine was shut off, everyone left the car and stripped down to their birthday suits. Officially that wasn’t allowed, but everyone else did so too, and the park was far from any public road. No one would have to care, unless they chose to drive or walk down the almost two mile road to the park, and all that to be actively offended.

“I love this place!” Jeff threw his shirt in the air, and had to ask his dad to get it off the car roof.

Carla, his sister, was more careful. She folded up her things and put them on the back seat. “I’m ready.”

Bill opened the trunk and took a few bags. One with drinks, and one with towels and their water fight tools. “Looks like we all are. Let’s go and have the fun, warriors.”

Jeff and Carla high-fived and ran to the entrance of the park. The people there knew them, waved, and let them pass.

“Hey Bill, Mary-Beth,” they greeted the parents. “Good to see you again. Perfect day,” one of the folks at the counter said. “You come loaded. Two bags.”

“Water fight,” Mary-Beth explained. “We brought some heavy artillery for the kids. You should join!”

“Ha, I wish. Some folks have to walk. Just go and have fun,” the man at the counter said, and waved them through.

The two walked along the trail, to the swimming pool area. The huge lawn around it was where they always gathered, and it was easy to find their kids. They made a lot of noise.

Their ‘opponents’ in the water fight were already there. Corey and Susan waved at Bill and Mary-Beth, telling them the kids had already run off to the pool.

“They went in somewhere over there,” Susan said, pointing in a general direction, “and god knows where they are now.”

“They’ll be fine,” Mary-Beth said. “Plenty of people around to watch over them.” She never worried when the kids were out on their own here. Among nudists, they were safer than anywhere else, except with their parents.

Bill spread out the big towel they could comfortably lie on, and they helped each other getting all sun-screened up.

“I still don’t get why you stick to those bathing things,” Bill said to their friends.

“They’re nice,” Susan said. “And comfortable. And they make me feel safe.”

“Safe?” Bill grinned. “That bikini doesn’t look like a bathing suit of armor to me, Susan.”

“Bill, cut it out. You always comment on that,” Mary-Beth said. She agreed with him, but she left it to everyone to wear, or not wear, what they were most happy with.

Bill lay down next to her. “This, folks, is the life.” He stretched his arms over his head.

The others agreed with him, and they slipped into a friendly talk, like they always did. People joined and walked off, as usual, food and drinks appeared in places, and the afternoon was off to a great start.

The children returned as soon as food was handed out. Bill claimed their kids had a built-in radar for that, as it never failed.

“We already talked about tactics,” Jeff said. “For the fight later.”

“Tactics?” Susan shook her head. “There’s going to be a lot of people, throwing water at each other. What tactics do you need for that?”

Bobby, her son, laughed. “You don’t know, do you?”

“I don’t,” Susan said, “so why don’t you explain?”

Bobby looked at Jeff, who shook his head. It almost looked as if the two were up to something. Also Carla and Linda refused to say anything.

After finishing up the food, the families took some time to ‘let it settle’, and then they all took to the pool. Swimming was something they all enjoyed.

Of course, they weren’t the only ones. The pools at the park were nearly always full, so actual swimming was out of the question, but people always played games with balls or rings. There was always something fun to join in with.

After a while, they decided to get out of the water. There was a water battle to be dealt with soon, and that required some preparation. Mostly it consisted of filling up their weapons, but that was part of the fun.

The group walked to their spot, to collect the materials they’d need. Linda, Bobby and Susan kept trying to squeeze the water out of their swimsuits without making it look as if they did so. Bill was visibly entertained, but remained quiet this time.

Before going to the tap for filling up, the swimsuit brigade employed a few towels to dry up their wet suits a little more.

“Glad I don’t have to feel that around me,” Bill commented to his wife. He kept his voice down. This was a clothing optional place, after all. “And it’s a bit weird. That stuff’s going to get wet again anyway.”

“Okay, done. Ready.” Linda held up her empty super soaker. “Let’s fill up!”

It was busy at the tap for a while. Not only the two families, but all the people who had signed up for the water fight, and had brought their various implements of liquid doom. Unremarkably, most of them were naked.

After that ‘ritual’, the warring tribes headed for the designated area, where nothing could be harmed by the impending drench fest.

Bill and Mary-Beth noticed how the two camps weren’t divided between nude and non-nude people, which was fantastic to see. This was how it had to be. Every kind of people, anywhere.

An unseen referee blew a whistle, and the fight began. Everyone ran at each other, trying to make every squirt of water count. Those with the smaller water pistols had to get close to the ‘enemy’ to land a hit, those with the giant soakers were like the artillery, firing - or rather watering - from behind the front line.

Almost a dozen volunteers were running up and down with buckets, to supply ammunition to those whose water had run out.

The screams and laughter soon won from the watery attacks, and the real fire of soaking the others ran out. Mostly because the nude people didn’t care, and the clothed people couldn’t get any wetter. They also didn’t care. It was the fun which counted here, and fun ruled the area, as did the wet grass all around.

After almost an hour of shooting and, in the end, throwing water at each other, everyone had enough. Tired, soaked and satisfied, all the buckets were collected, and the group headed back to the large lawn near the pools, to lie down and dry up.

That was the moment where the nudist had the advantage. They lay down and let the sun do its good work.

Bill sat up. “Anyone for a drink? Ice-cream?”

Everyone appreciated that idea. Susan offered to walk with him, to the stall where the good stuff was sold. The order from the two families was too much for one person to carry.

“It was a great water fight,” she said, as they were on their way. “We should do this more often.”

Bill agreed. “Let’s suggest it to the organizers.” He noticed how she kept tugging at her still wet bikini. “Problem?”

“Not really. It’s just…”

He nodded. “Uncomfortable.”

“Well, no… but… actually, yes. It’ll be fine once it’s dry.” Susan tugged her bottom part again.

“I know you’ve heard this before, but you really should try going around without that wet stuff,” Bill said. “Even seeing it is uncomfortable.”

“But it was expensive!”

“And that’s the reason to feel uncomfortable?” He shook his head. “Oh well, it’s up to you.”

They reached the stall and had to wait. More people had the idea to grab something from there.

Susan tugged again. “Okay…”

“Okay what?” Bill turned to her.

“This is the first time I’m feeling weird here,” Susan said. “Usually there are other people in swimwear around. Now I’m the only one.”

Bill looked around. “Yes. You are.”

Susan shook her head. “This feels… weird. I feel like I standing out.” Obviously, she didn’t like that, and the brightly colored bikini definitely was an eye-catcher.

“Then take it off and blend in. You can put it on again when we go back,” Bill suggested.

“Hmm.” Susan looked a bit worried. “It’s not like I’d look off here, do I?” She wasn’t a skinny person, but there were plenty of people who were further away from a supermodel shape.

At that moment, a nude woman yelped. “Oh, I’m so sorry!” She’d bumped into Susan’s wet behind. “That was a bit unexpected.”

“Don’t worry, no one got hurt,” Susan said and grinned. “Okay…” Slowly she took off the bikini top, then the bottom. “I hope I’m not going to regret this.”

Bill assured her she would be fine. “And if you feel bad, just put it on again.”

“Uh-huh.” Susan held up the bikini and squeezed some water from it. “Good idea.”

Slowly the crowd in front of them moved away, and they could get their order. Loaded with drinks and snacks, Bill and Susan walked back to the group of towels, where their families were waiting.

Corey, Susan’s husband, and her children, stared at her. “Mom?”

“That’s me, and this is yours,” Susan said, handing out what they’d brought along.

“Susan, why are you not wearing that bikini?” Corey got up. “You love that one.”

“Ehm. Oh.” Susan looked at the bits of fabric she’d clutched in one hand. “It was… wet. And someone bumped into me. And… to be honest, I forgot to put it back on again.”

Mary-Beth grinned. “You forgot you’re naked, right?”

Susan’s cheeks colored a bit. “Yeah. That’s about it, indeed.”

Bobby, Susan’s young son, didn’t flinch. “If mom can do that, then I can too.” He pulled off his swimming trunks.

“Bobby!” His sister averted her eyes.

Bill said, “Come on, Linda, you’ve seen naked men before.”

“But not my brother!” Linda complained.

“And how is he different from, let’s say, Jeff here?” Bill pointed at his son.

“Ehm, ehm… Bobby is… my brother.”

“Just like Jeff is my brother,” Carla said, “and do I care? As long as he’s not annoying me, I can stand him.”

“Hey!” Jeff said. “I’m not the annoying kind!”

“You are now,” Carla said, and turned her back to him. There was a big grin on her face.

Corey, Carla’s dad, looked at Susan. “Are you sure?” he asked. It sounded silly.

Susan looked at him. “Yes. I’m sure. I forgot I wasn’t wearing this.” She held up the bikini, then dropped it on her towel, where she sat down. “It’s not a big deal. In fact, it’s not a deal at all.”

“My god, we have a nudist in the family,” Corey sighed.

“Two,” his son said.

“So that’s fifty-fifty,” Mary-Beth observed. “Aren’t you the lucky one, Corey?”

“Huh? How can I be the lucky one,” he asked, as he turned towards her.

“You did choose to set up camp at a clothing optional place,” Mary-Beth reminded him, “so Susan and Bobby are in the right place, like you and Linda are. Clothing, and optional.” As she said that, she first pointed at Corey, then at Susan.

“And none here,” Carla added. “I would rather stay at home than go swimming with those wet things on.”

“But they’re called swimsuits for a reason,” Corey said. “Suits. For swimming.”

“Yep,” Mary-Beth said. “And they do that so well. They keep you warm and dry, and they make you swim better, right?”

“Hmmf.” Corey knew he’d been had, because they all knew swimsuits did none of those things.

“They’re wet and clingy, and feel cold when you get out of the water.” To Corey’s obvious dismay, it was his own wife stating this. “I think I understand their reasoning now, Corey.” Susan actually beamed as she said that.

Bobby got up and looked at his sister Linda. “I do too. And you don’t. You’re scared. You don’t even dare to race me to the pool.”

Linda looked at him. “Am not.”

“Are too!” Bobby held up his fingers. “Three… two…”

Linda was already on her feet and running towards the pool, leaving her brother standing until he reached counting to one. Then he ran off after her, losing the race, of course.

“What happened there?” Jeff tried to understand that weird challenge.

“I dunno,” said Corey, “but he’s sharp. He has something in mind with that.” It was clear he had no idea what that would be.

“We should go swimming too,” Jeff said, tapping his sister on the shoulder. “Unless you’re afraid of water.”

Carla looked at him. “Ha. In case you forgot, I was around to invent swimming in a previous life. Let’s go. Be nice and I might save you if you start drowning.”

The two walked off.

“Aren’t they adorable?” Mary-Beth asked, pretending to look desperate.

“What’s that previous life stuff your daughter talked about,” Corey asked.

“She’s doing a paper on reincarnation,” Bill explained, “and now everything’s blamed on past lives.”

“Or previous lives are thanked for stuff,” Mary-Beth added. “So remember to be grateful to her past life, for inventing swimming.” She snorted, shaking her head.

“Oh. There they are,” Susan said, waving at the kids, who came walking along again.

Bobby had a lot of fun, despite losing his race, and he was jumping around and dancing. His sister said something to him, which made him laugh. His response to her did not make her laugh.

“And it’s not a problem at all,” Linda said, pulling at the wet bikini bottom for the fourth time since leaving the pool.

“Because it’s nice and warm and dry,” Bobby said, laughing as he easily avoided her slap.

Linda sat down and said nothing, adjusting her bottom once more and pulling at the top.

“She jumped into the water,” Bobby said, “and one of her boobs flopped out. I think she’s annoyed no one noticed.”

“Of course no one noticed. They probably noticed the bikini. Too many boobs around here to pay attention to that one in particular,” Carla said.

“Really? I bet you a chocolate bar people will stop and stare if I take my top off,” Linda said.

“Prove it,” said Carla. “That is one easy won chocolate bar…”

“Linda, perhaps you-” Corey started, but his daughter didn’t hear him, or didn’t want to. She ripped the top off and looked at a few people who walked by. They walked on, not even turning their heads for a moment.

“Damn it.” Linda looked at Carla. “I owe you chocolate.”

“Nah, keep it.”

Linda’s parents were visibly stunned by their daughter’s action, the more as the young woman didn’t make any moves to put the top back on… Her dad was lost for words.

It was Susan who suggested to Linda she should then also take the bottom off, if she felt confident. “It’s not so soggy that way.”

“Hmm.” Linda looked out over the lawn, where most people were entirely free of clothing. She then looked at Carla, Bill and Mary-Beth. Without another word, she got out of the wet bikini bottom, rolled over, and lay on her stomach.

For a few moments, everyone was silent. This was unexpected for everyone.

“Oh… Thank you for the drinks,” Mary-Beth said, breaking the short but awkward silence. “I needed this.”

Her words made everyone grin and reach for their drink, after which the talking resumed, mostly focusing on the water fight.

After some time, everyone decided it was swimming time again, so they all got up and headed for the pool.

Bill wondered how Corey had to feel, being the only one among them still in swimming trunks. He didn’t say a word though. It was this man’s decision, and no one else’s.

In the pool, a group had started a kind of water volleyball without a net, and the two families were quickly invited to join in. They all had a blast, playing that game and having fun with so many relaxed people.

Mary-Beth was the first to call it a day. “My arms are falling off, so I’m out.” She waded back to the side of the swimming pool.

One by one, the others also gave up. The real sports folks were too much to handle for them. Jeff and Bobby did their best to keep going, but even their stamina didn’t hold up.

Susan and Corey, who’d been standing in the water at the side, applauded all the children for doing so well. Then Susan climbed out, and pulled her son and also Jeff out of the water. “You coming, husband?” she asked. “I think they’re firing up the barbecues.”

“I’ll be out in a moment,” Corey said.

“Sure. Let us know if we have to pull you out as well, old man.”

They all laughed, even Corey, then walked off to their towels and bags.

Mary-Beth admired Susan and Linda. They hadn’t made any attempt to hide their bodies, or grab their bikinis.

As they sat down, Bill tapped his wife on the arm. “Look over to the pool. Carefully.”

She did.

Corey was climbing out of the water. He had his swimming trunks in his hand.