This story is the twenty-third in a series. While the series has gone on too long, I'm gratified that some people seem to enjoy these stories. This story can, I hope, be read enjoyably by itself. However, the prior installments provide context and character background. All persons and groups mentioned in this story are entirely fictitious. Any similarity to any real person or group is unintended and coincidental. Please do not rely on these stories for any legal advice.
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Two things occurred not long Cassie, Erin, Carla, and I got back from our marketing foray to the northern part of our state. First, I got a phone call from Kay Swale, Melina's and Darcy's former high school volleyball coach at school.
"Harry," Coach Swale said after we'd exchanged pleasantries, "I know that you and your colleagues like to play nude volleyball. I've got an opportunity for you."
I was a bit surprised at that statement because it was the dead of winter. As I recall, I simply said "Yeah?"
"I know a couple that own a private gym. Primarily, they rent it out for middle-aged guys to have basketball leagues. Now that it is basketball season, the high schools all play on Friday nights and my friends can't get any basketball leagues booked in for Fridays. I suggested that, rather than have their facility empty on Fridays, they should make it available for nude volleyball. They said that would be fine with them if I can get them enough people. It's a private facility with no windows, so it should work just fine. I've looked at it and it's actually pretty nice. They've even got a bar that they are willing to open for us; I suspect because that's where their real margin is. So, I'm trying to organize some teams. We'll play every Friday for a couple of months or so, until the basketball players some back."
Coach Swale went on to explain that she was trying to get up at least four full teams, each mixed gender. Shoes and kneepads could be worn in the gym but nothing else. Each team would play one match per Friday or two if time permitted. Each match would consist of three games.
After giving me the full explanation, Coach Swale asked, "Are you interested? Can you get up a team?"
Erin, Carla, and I usually didn't have much going on Friday nights. I told Coach Swale that I'd talk to a few people and get back to her. Erin and Carla each took about two seconds to decide that they were in. Cassie, however, didn't play volleyball, and Fridays were her date night with Ervin. I called Wendy, who was in. However, beyond Wendy and the three of us, I had a real problem finding more players. We needed at least two more to have a team.
We were still looking for players when I received a call from Magistrate Judge Wurdeman a couple of days later. I could not recall any cases that I had before her, but it isn't that unusual for a Magistrate to help out with a motion or a settlement conference in a case not formally assigned to her.
After a bit of polite chit-chat, Judge Wurdeman got to her purpose in calling.
"Harry, this isn't a professional call, but I would greatly appreciate it if you would keep this conversation confidential."
"Of course, if you wish," I responded to Judge Wurdeman.
"Thank you. Peter and I have been talking. We both think that we need something new and exciting in our lives, a little risk-taking. As I mentioned to you at your pageant last summer, we saw your group playing sand volleyball last summer at the club. You all seemed to be having a wonderful time."
Judge Wurdeman paused. It seemed to me like she was trying to decide whether she really wanted to get to the point of her call. I had no idea where this was headed, and could not see how our nude volleyball was of any interest to a Federal Magistrate Judge.
I heard Judge Wurdeman take a deep breath. She continued, "As I said, you all seemed to be having a great time; and the idea of playing naked seemed, well, a little exciting and sexy."
Judge Wurdeman paused again. Then, rather hurriedly, she said, "Well, Peter and I were wondering if you knew of any place where we could play, uh, like you do: in the nude. In my position, I don't want to be too public about going nude, so we were hoping that you might know of an opportunity to play that is, well, more-or-less private."
You might think that very little would surprise me given my nude experiences. However, it took me a moment or two to get my mind around the fact that a Federal judge had just asked me if I knew where she and her husband could play volleyball in the nude.
"Well, your honor," I finally replied, "I may have an opportunity for you." I went on to explain about the nude volleyball league that Coach Swale was putting together. "We need two more players for our team. If you are interested, we'd be honored to have you and your husband play with us. Now, our team has three lawyers. We know that you're a judge, but I doubt that any of the other team's players will recognize you. We can keep your status quiet."
Judge Wurdeman thought for a minute or two. "Let me check with Peter, but that sounds like almost exactly what we are looking for. Thank you, Harry."
"My pleasure, your honor," I responded.
"Harry," Judge Wurdeman said, "if I'm going to take off all of my clothes in front of you, I think that you can call me Natalie."
Judge Wurdeman called me back about a half hour later. "I've talked to Peter and he is enthused. Thank you again. When and where do we start playing?"
I gave the Judge directions to the gym. "We start playing this Friday. You'll be fine if you get there a little before 7:00 p.m." Without thinking, I added "I look forward to seeing you there."
Judge Wurdeman laughed as she ended the call.
I got up from my desk and walked out to our reception area where Erin was sitting at her desk. "Would you buzz Carla and ask her to step out here?" I asked Erin. A moment later I had the great pleasure of watching my law partner and lover Carla Bennett come out of her office and walk down the hall towards me. I was reminded how much nicer work had become since we had all stopped wearing clothes in the office.
When Carla got into the reception area, I said, "I've found two more players for our volley ball team."
"Who?" Erin asked.
"Judge Natalie Wurdeman and her husband Peter," I answered.
"Bullshit," Carla said.
"No, I'm telling you the truth," I responded. "She called this morning saying that she and her husband had seen us playing outdoors last summer. It seemed to them that we were having so much fun playing nude that they want to try it. She just wants a less public setting. Anyway, I told her about the league Kay Swale is forming. She called her husband then called me back to say that they're joining our team."