I had two options really; tell mum about it or simply not even mention it.
Since I had been away at university, I had developed a love of nudism.
I had moved into a share house with another guy and two females.
The house was fantastic. It wasn't very modern, a bit run down to be honest, but it had a pool and a large backyard. Because of its dilapidated state, the rent was affordable for four struggling uni students and the bonus was that it was party central for our wide circle of friends. The pool was the centrepiece of the frivolities and mixed with liberal amounts of alcohol, inhibitions were caste aside and nudity became the norm.
My introduction to life away from home could not have been any better. Surprisingly, the four of us were good students and we were able to successfully mix leisure time with our studies.
So, the first year had ended and I was anxious to head home and spend some time with my mum. I knew it had been hard on her, with her only son being away at university and she was alone at home, with dad having passed away 2 years ago.
"Mum, how are you going?" I inquired cheerily when I phoned her on Sunday night.
"Greg, darling, I'm just fine thanks and how are you going?" mum asked.
"Never better mum, I'm looking forward to coming down on Tuesday, is everything still set?"
"Sure is, your room is ready, didn't have to do much, it has been as it was when you left for uni, just opened the windows and let some fresh air in." mum said.
"That's great mum, I've really missed you, can't wait to catch up. I've got plenty to tell you about life up here." I enthused.
"I bet you have," mum replied, "I can't wait to hear all about it."
"For sure, well mum won't chat much as I'll see you in a couple of days. I should get there about mid afternoon," I advised her.
"OK, honey, I'll see you then; I'll have a cold beer waiting for you. Byeeee," mum replied chirpily as she ended the call.
I really had missed mum and I was a little concerned about her. She had not been in a relationship with any anyone since dad passed away. She could have had any man she wanted as she was in the prime of her life, still only 44 years old and a fantastic figure as she went to the gym daily. And she is both smart and funny. She would be an absolute catch, but she didn't seem to be interested in starting a new romance.
Tuesday dawned a bright sunny morning and I was anxious to get underway. It was going to get hot and the trip home was going to be a bit uncomfortable as the air conditioning in my clapped out Toyota wasn't working too well. This wasn't so much a problem driving around town at uni, but a six hour trip on a hot day didn't hold much appeal. I hope mum remembered to have some cold beer ready as she promised.
The trip passed uneventfully and before I knew it, I was approaching the familiar sights of my home town. Nothing had changed in 12 months, but it seemed that I was some sort of foreigner or tourist, a small tinge of guilt perhaps for having deserted the place of my upbringing.
A few turns off the highway and I was parking outside the family home.
I only had one bag, as I tend to travel light. I made my way to the front door. I had my own key, so I let myself in, but called out to mum, "I'm here!"
Mum came racing up the hallway and met me at the door. She threw her arms around me and gave me the biggest of hugs.
"Oh, Greg darling, it is so good to see you and hold you in my arms. I have missed you so much," mum declared excitedly.
"Oh me too mum, I have missed you too," I replied honestly.
Mum looked absolutely fantastic. We had Facetimed often but seeing her in the flesh reinforced her true beauty. She was dressed in a light cotton sundress, very appropriate for such a hot day. It had spaghetti straps and pretty obviously, she was not wearing a bra. That was not unusual, mum did not have big breasts and she often went braless, stating that she hated them anyway.
"How was the trip, you must be exhausted, it was so hot," mum bubbled, "why don't you go have a nice shower and we will have a beer and you can tell me all about everything."
"Good idea mum, I can really do with a shower, won't be long," I replied and made my way to my room. The house only had the one bathroom, which was all we needed as a small family.
The cool water was invigorating and I felt so much better. I dried off then decided what to put on. I had decided that I was going to tell mum about our nudist lifestyle at uni, but would wait for the right moment.
I thought it might be appropriate to head down in just a pair of shorts. It was hot after all and when I lived at home I would often laze around in the comfort of minimal clothing. No need for underwear either I thought. Also, I was pretty proud of my new physique as I went to the campus gym most days and had bulked up a fair bit over the last year.
I strolled out into the living room and mum was sitting on the lounge with two beers ready for us.
A smile lit up her face when she saw me.
""Oh Greg, you have certainly grown into a fine young man. You must have worked out a lot, you look fantastic," mum declared.
I felt chuffed that mum had noticed, maybe a bit too enthusiastically, but still clearly my workouts had had an effect.
I sat down next to mum, and we chinked out beer bottles. "Cheers!" we said in unison.
The next hours passed quickly as we chatted about what had happened in our lives over the last year. There was a lot to process and about four beers later, it was time for a bit of dinner.
"I just prepared a salad Greg, some ham and chicken. It is too hot to cook anything, I hope that's OK,' mum said apprehensively.
"Perfect, mum. Just what I feel like." I replied.
As mum got the food ready, I went to the fridge and got out a bottle of white wine. I was feeling a bit lightheaded from the beers, but a wine with the meal is nice.
We ate and chatted, there was so much to catch up on. The sun was setting but it was still warm.
With dinner finished, we decided to sit outside in the shade of the patio as there was a slight cooling breeze blowing. I filled up our glasses. It was serene sitting there; the birds were chirping and a beautiful orange glow covered the distant hills as the sun slowly set. We sat silently, savouring the moment.
"I'm just going up for a shower, Greg; won't be long," mum said, getting up.