No opportunities presented since our last trip to my parents. I thought I would post a conversation over Thanksgiving with my dad. We made the trip to my parents Thanksgiving day. My wife was nervous about going thinking my dad may have said something about her nudity to others. I assured her if he had it would have spread to all and I would definitely have heard from my mom in our many conversations each week.
We arrived and set up in our normal spare bedroom. My brother and his wife, my sister and her husband were all there when we arrived. Lots of visiting and catching up. It rained all day Thanksgiving day. Around mid afternoon my brother and sister left. They both live locally. My wife and mom leave to go shopping that evening.
I'm watching NFL network. My dad comes in and we sit watching and talking. During one of the breaks, my dad says, well I guess with all this rain there's no riding your ATV over the farm. I responded, we might tomorrow but depends on weather and my wife. He says nothing. I sit silently thinking how to ask the awkward question. Here's the exact conversation.
Me - (smiling) you must really like catching Lisa naked.
Dad - (no expression) what do you mean.
Me - well, you caught her several times naked and asked several times about us riding again.
Dad - (makes a grunting noise)
There was a long silence as we watched the program.
Dad - that's not the first times.
Me - first times for what.
Dad - seeing Lisa naked.
Me - really, when.
Dad - many times in your visits. Walking across the bedroom. Laying out topless behind the house and other occasions.
Me- why didn't you say anything.
Dad - I assumed she wanted her privacy.
Me - (laughing) that's not very private.
Dad - its just your mother and I out here, that's about as private as it gets.
Me - true.
More silence as we watch television.
Me - that didn't answer my question.
Dad - did you ask one?
Me - yes, I said you must really like seeing Lisa naked.
Paused...
Dad - well I'm not saying I've ever turned my head.
He has no expression as we talk. No smile no change of tone just matter of fact.
Me - I guess I don't blame you.
Dad - it's not a common thing to happen out here in the middle of nowhere.
Me - how did you see her laying out?
Dad - which time?
Me - (surprised) how many times has it been?
Dad - over the years, probably a hand full.
During our summer visits, my wife will take a reclining chair to the back of the house and relax laying out. I guess she assumed it was private.
Me - so how did you see her.
Dad - she sets up outside our back bedroom window so I saw her from there.
Me - why didn't you say something.
Dad - she was looking for privacy so she got it.
Me - not with you watching through the window.
Dad - I didn't watch.
Me - (laughing) sounds like you did.
Dad - I didn't walk away immediately but if she didn't know, it was privacy.
Me - I guess that's true too.
It's hard to get him to elaborate on his actions or thoughts in this conversation.
Me - so I guess walking in naked from mudding was not that big of a deal then.
Dad - I wouldn't say that.
Me - what would you say.
Dad - that was up close. Really close.
I am getting frustrated with the short and matter of fact answers. Inside I was wanting details, descriptions, thoughts, etc. He was really only minimally responding and seemed disinterested.
Me - I guess I better tell her to be more aware of her surroundings when she is here laying out or walking around the house.
Dad - why would you do that. When you guys are here we encourage you to treat the house and land as yours.
Me - we obviously do but maybe she's too casual.
I now have his full attention. Tone and expression changed. He is not using the television as a distraction.
Dad - look, your mother and I always want you and Lisa to come visit and stay with us when you can. If Lisa wants to lay out in a swimsuit, topless or nude she should feel completely at ease out here doing so. That's why I never mentioned this to anyone. Your mother even saw her laying out topless and had no problem with it.
Me - mom saw her too? Why didn't either of you say something.
Dad - because neither of us have a problem with it.
Me - so what about walking in naked from ATV mudding.
Dad - how many times before you were married did you and or your brother run through the house after leaving dirty clothes outside?
Me - agreed but we are talking about Lisa.
Dad - ok, I spoke to her and assured her that she had nothing to be embarrassed about.
While I had his attention.
Me - after the initial shock and embarrassment she told me she was fine.
Dad - she was. We even had conversations as she walked through.
Me - that's what she told me too. So you must have not been overly embarrassed.
Dad - (first time smiling) at first sight I was surprised. After a few seconds, I just enjoyed to conversation and view.
Me - I bet.
Dad - (smiling then serious) Lisa is your wife and part of our family. I'm not dead yet. I'm not going to lie I did enjoy seeing her. I probably saw more than I should.
Me - laughing at the statement more than I should.
Dad - (after a long pause and serious) can we just keep this between us. I wouldn't want Lisa to ever feel unwelcome, uncomfortable or that she has done anything wrong.
Me - absolutely and she loves coming to visit and the freedom of being here.
That ended the conversation and all attention was turned to sports.
I waited till we left to tell her about the conversation. I told her everything we discussed. She was as shocked as I was that no one ever mentioned seeing her topless, especially my mom. I even told her I saw her walking around the bedroom through the open door naked with a towel wrapped around her head. She assumes that since we are in a bedroom towards the back of the house and most of the time my parents stay in the den at the front she can leave doors unlocked or open. Her response was I guess I got nothing to hide now anyway.
Other than the conversation, visiting and driving was all that occurred.
|