This story takes place long before the "From the Curtains" series published on here a few months ago. Some readers may remember Melanie, the main character of the original series. This story takes place before those stories.
Melanie lay back in the nude on a raft in her pool, her thoughts drifting back to when she was younger. The sun's warm rays wafting over her nude body often fueled a dream-like feeling that came over her. This day was no different.
She had just turned twenty-one that summer and was about to enter her senior year in college. That summer was just like every other one she had spent since she was about eight years old β attending summer music school at a conservatory about a hundred miles from where she lived. For Melanie, that meant living with her aunt all summer, who was a wonderful woman in her fifties. Since her husband had passed away and her children had moved out, she enjoyed having the company, even if Melanie did practice her flute until well after what she considered to be bedtime.
Melanie always thought that the great part about her aunt's place was the full-size in-ground swimming pool. She had unlimited use of it all summer β all she had to do was vacuum it once a week and make sure the chlorine was right β and she made good use of it, practicing her swimming techniques and staying in shape. At 21, she looked pretty much the way she does now at 28 β slim-figured and always with a tan, although in those days, she had tan lines top and bottom.
Her mornings were spent at the conservatory, taking theory, orchestra, and private lessons. In the afternoons, she returned to her aunt's house, practiced her lessons and then went for a swim. Since her aunt worked, Melanie was alone every afternoon, which suited her nicely. She enjoyed the quiet and the privacy and it gave her plenty of both.
"We have new neighbors, " her aunt said one morning. "They have a son named Todd. He's about your age. Cute young man. He's going to come over later for a swim. Perhaps you'll have a chance to meet him."
Melanie smiled, thinking it would be nice to have some company for a change. The fact that it was her age made the thought even more appealing.
That afternoon, Melanie got back from her classes and immediately went upstairs to her bedroom to practice the day's assignments, just as she did every day. About ten minutes into her practicing, she thought she heard splashing coming from the pool.