The camp was only a few miles away. Marv kept imagining his face turning red, people pointing and laughing. Then he thought about what Barb said. “Everyone’s there to enjoy themselves and not make anyone feel embarrassed.”
Being Natural, by Mark Tulin
21/5/2018
The camp was only a few miles away. Marv kept imagining his face turning red, people pointing and laughing. Then he thought about what Barb said. “Everyone’s there to enjoy themselves and not make anyone feel embarrassed.”
Barb massaged Marv’s shoulders. “You’ll be fine,” she whispered. “It’s no big deal.”
“You know, we could go to the beach instead,” said Marv.
“Marv, don’t chickenout on me. We’re almost there. You’ll see. Once you’re in the camp for five minutes, everything will become so natural you won’t even realize you’re naked.”
Marv smiled awkwardly. He had been dating Barb for over a year. She was the best thing that ever happened to him. She was a free-spirit, not uptight with her body as his last girlfriend.
Marv tried to see himself swimming in the pool and canoeing on the lake. If he got too excited, he would think of Willy Mays, and that would change the direction of his blood flow.
They entered a wooded area and pulled into the gravel parking lot. Marv jumped out of the car, raring to go. He did a couple of knee bends and jumping jacks to loosen up.
“Where do you think you’re going, to a marathon?”
“Just getting flexible, Barb.”
They opened the hatchback and removed their clothes until the only thing they had on was a pair of flip-flops. They took turns applying sunscreen to their pale, sun-deprived bodies. Lastly, they stuffed their backpacks with towels and bottles of water.
As they walked through the rusty camp gate, Marv could feel the breeze from the lake on his bare skin. The warm noonday sun warmed his back. Further, in the distance, a man was approaching. A sense of calm took over. Marv was ready to be inspired. He planned on telling others that nudity is natural and should not be feared. Bodies need be revered, not shamed.
The naked man was less than two feet away. His body had a tawny orange color from endless hours uncovered in the sun. When he smiled, his pink gums stuck out.
“Where do we register?” Marv asked
“I’m sorry,” the naked man said. “The camp is closed for repairs. Come back in a couple of weeks.”
Marv felt an intense wave of disappointment that made his body shrivel up like a prune
Crow On The Wire 
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