Part One - Preparing for the Day
The banners went up at key intersections all over town three weeks before the big day. For most in the sleepy little town this was the official start of the "think about what's coming" phase of the year. Yet for the handful of organizers it was a reminder to check last minute details and ensure all their ducks were in a row. The whole town would turn out on the given day to participate, laugh, and have fun.
While other small towns had just your average fair or parade, beet festival, possum festival or some such themed event, the town of Deer Song celebrated National Nude Day. Everything was conducted in the nude; the parade, racing competitions, eating contests, the horseshoe throwing competitions, and even the fairgrounds were open to unclothed adult persons only.
Speculation ran rampant down at Ed's barbershop concerning the women's one-mile run. The year before this one Michael Fellington's wife had come in second place, despite running so fast that even her trim A cup breasts had jiggled nicely for the crowds. This year she aimed to win the blue ribbon and first prize trophy. Though she had been training completely clothed every day for the last 6 months the men at the barbershop were always pleased to see her run by on her daily work out.
"So your wife is pretty determined to win this year," commented Ed as he worked the clippers over Michael's hair. Ed was a local fixture in the community, had been so in fact for decades. His barbershop had been around for so long it was almost a town icon, as was his slicked back silver hair and old-fashioned bow tie. They went well with the shiny yellow hard wood floors and scent of hair tonic that permeated the place.
"Yeah, she's determined." Michael replied. "She likes the second place trophy she got last year, keeps it on the mantle actually over the fireplace, but you know how competitive she is". Ed nodded. Michael's wife Natsuko was the high school girl's gym teacher and was known for her aggressive coaching of the softball league. Michael himself was an accountant with a local practice, moonlighting as a semi-pro bowler with his wife.
"If she wins, " said Ed after a minute, "that'll sure put a crimp in Becky Clayton's life. She's trying for a three-peat this year. Won the last two years in a row you know." Michael refrained from nodding. "Yeah, I know, she's out to win too. Runs every day from what I hear."
Ed changed the clipper attachment on his razor. "What did your father-in-law think of the trophy when he was over here last month? Or did you hide it while he was around?"
"Oh he liked it." Ed replied. "Over in Japan they don't think much of nudity. Not like here anyways." Ed nodded silently in reply and began trimming again. "She going to run nude today?" he asked hopefully, jokingly. He already knew the answer, but it was a standard joke whenever Michael came by for a trim. His wife ran past the barbershop every day and waved to the gentlemen inside. When he was there getting a haircut she would run past while he was inside and stick her head in for a second to blow him a kiss.
"Not hardly," laughed Michael, moving his head alarmingly enough for Ed to gently remind him to stay still. "National Nude Day isn't for a few more weeks," he reminded Ed. "Be patient though. I'm sure you'll get an eyeful then." The other barbers and customers who had been listening with one ear all laughed at Michael's little quip. Ed was known to be an enthusiastic supporter of the annual festival and an even more ardent admirer of female anatomy.
Several blocks away Natsuko was starting her daily run. She had put on her new blue shorts and tube top, but donned her old comfortable sneakers. Her hair caught up in a ponytail, she jogged quickly down the sidewalk. It was a pleasant summer day, hot without being too oppressive. She knew that by the time she was done with her run however that she'd be covered with sweat and in need of a good hot shower.
She jogged at a good pace down the street following her normal route, through a residential section and parallel to the downtown area. Janet Quimby waved at her from the flowerbed she was weeding and Natsuko waved back. Zed Miller rode by going the other way on his motorcycle, red bandana blazing. As she jogged past the alley between King Street and Empire Lane she spotted the Trujillo kids running their lemonade stand.
She enjoyed living in this small town with its quaint local characters, low crime rate and slow paced lifestyle. Job opportunities were not as plentiful as what a big city would offer but other aspects of Deer Song made up for it. Actually, just being with Michael made up for it. Getting to see her neighbors in the nude once a year was a unique perk too.
A little further on she turned down a side street that defined the Northwest corner of Oxbow Park. The other side of the street consisted mainly of empty lots and the occasional backside of a small business.
Up ahead on the other side of an alley she saw a lonely old mailbox sitting next to the road. She usually jogged on the right, close the road, but always had to swerve around the worn symbol of civilization. In a way it was a landmark on her route.
As she crossed the alley and closed on the mailbox she heard a car coming up behind her and when she swerved to her right to avoid the obstruction she heard the grate of metal on concrete and the blare of a car horn. Startled and slightly off balance from swerving she stumbled and hit the pavement. A momentary glimpse of blue metal being hit a glancing blow by brown metal obscured her vision. She scrambled onto her back, shocked. Looking down the road she saw the tail end of the brown car disappearing fast around the corner.
Carefully she got to her feet and dusted herself off, then examined the mailbox. It had a dent and scrape in it. If she had not had to swerve when she did the car would probably have hit her instead. She shook her head and let out a long breath. The driver was probably drunk.
Or maybe he hadn't been. A sudden thought occurred to her. Suppose it had not been entirely accidental. Small towns had their local hoodlums, jerks and idiots. Maybe, just maybe this had been planned or at least been an opportunity the driver had seized on.
Suddenly uncomfortable being out in the open she cut short her routine, not even running past the barbershop where she knew her husband was getting a trim. Back home she locked the doors and quickly peeled off her sweaty clothes and dropped them in the bathroom hamper. Turning on the shower, she set it to practically scalding as usual then climbed in. She basked in the flow of hot water and suds for longer than usual, taking her time with the sudsy washcloth.
Done showering, she turned to get out of the tub. Through the shower curtain she could vaguely see the steamy bathroom and the door, which suddenly opened. An indistinct figure was entering the room. She tensed for a second and started to back up, her arms drawing up instinctively to her dripping breasts. Then the figure spoke up. "Honey, you ok?" She visibly relaxed as she realized it was her husband.
She opened the shower curtain and almost dropped into his arms. Michael ignored the warm water soaking his clothes. "Hey now. You ok? What's wrong? You didn't pop into the barbershop today."
Natsuko buried her face in his chest. "I'm ok," she said after a few seconds. "Just a bit unnerved is all. A car almost hit me today when I was running."
Concern transformed his voice. "What? Are you ok? Did you get the license number? What kind of car?"
"I'm ok. Really I am. Like I said it didn't hit me. I couldn't tell what kind of car. Just brown is all. I didn't catch the license plate number either."
"Did anyone else see it happen?"
"I don't think so. I didn't see anyone else around."
"It didn't seem deliberate did it?"
"I don't know. Couldn't tell. Maybe just a drunk for all I know."
"Well, at least you're ok and safe. That's the important thing." He held her for a few moments and visibly relaxed. Then he looked down between the two of them at his soaked clothes.
"I think I'd better change. In fact, I need a shower too come to think of it. That should help relax you too." Natsuko smiled. It was standing practice in his household for her to give him a shower. Carefully she drew off his shirt and placed it on the counter. She ran her hands through his brown chest hair, loving as always the feel of it through her fingers. Then she hugged him tight, rubbing her face slowly across his bare, hairy chest.
His arms encircled her shoulders. He enjoyed the feel of her body against his and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. "Keep going girl," he whispered. She quickly knelt down at his feet and unbuckled his belt, noticing the lump in the crotch of his pants. Teasingly she slid his zipper down and pulled down his pants. He lifted his feet for her to remove them entirely, then casually leaned against the counter so that the bulge in his underwear was pointing at her.