Going to Live with Aunty and Uncle. Part 1
I hardly slept a wink last night.
Today, my university admission result would be posted online from 9 am.
I was logged in and ready to go.
Mum and dad sat beside me, perhaps equally as nervous as I was.
As their only child, they had invested heavily in my education, sending me to a private girl's school with the hope that I would excel and go on to university and thereafter a well-paid career.
"Claire, remember, we are so proud of you and whatever university you get into, we know that you will do well there," mum said reassuringly, concerned that I would lose it if things did not go as planned.
"Thanks mum, I'm cool, deep breath, deep breath," I replied to not only calm myself, but mum and dad.
The reality was, that my parents were making a bigger deal of this than I was.
Yes, I was a good student and yes, I wanted to go to a certain university.
But I believed that I had a better world view than my parents. I did not see study and the pursuit of wealth as my ultimate goal in life. After thirteen years of schooling, I would have preferred a gap year, travel, live life a little. However, my parents dissuaded me from that option, so it was straight back into the studies.
"OK, here we go, "I said breathlessly as the clock ticked over to nine.
Up popped my name, my student ID number....scroll down...offers.....
First Offer: Medicine, Wollongong University
Second Offer: Medicine, Sydney University
My heart dropped.
My preference was medicine at Sydney University. We lived in Sydney and that university offered the most prestigious degree. Wollongong University offered a well respected degree, but it was an hour and a half from home, so that would be a factor.
"Shit" was all I could say.
Mum and dad reeled out the rehearsed consoling words. They were as disappointed as I was, but the fact remained, if I wanted to do medicine, and I did, I would be studying at Wollongong.
"I'll make us a coffee," declared mum as she made her way to the kitchen.
Dad and I followed her and we sat at the table, silently, pondering what to do next.
Of course, there was a contingency plan in place.
Dad's brother Dave and his wife Tanya lived in Wollongong. They had a lovely house, with a granny flat. Tanya's mother lived in that granny flat, but her health had deteriorated to such a state, that she had to move into a nursing home and about a year ago, she passed away.
Being very busy with my studies, I had not been down to their place for close on two years, but mum and dad went down regularly. Their home is stunning, set on the escarpment overlooking the ocean in a private bushland setting with a swimming pool and beautiful well maintained lawns and gardens. It is really like living in a resort and if I had to live in Wollongong, there would be no better place to do it.
However, there was one potential problem.
Mum and dad advised me that Dave and Tanya had recently adopted a nudist lifestyle. They stated that should I come and live with them, and I was more than welcome to do so, they were not going to change their desire to be naked at home. However, there was absolutely no obligation for me to be naked as well and they would be fully comfortable with the idea of me being clothed if that was my choice.
University didn't start for 2 months, so it was decided that I should head down to Wollongong for a weekend and assess how life would be there. If it proved to be too difficult, I would then try and find alternative accommodation, like sharing a flat with other students, so I did have options, but I was going to go there with an open mind. I am no prude and nudity, per se, does not offend me, but the thought of being around naked relatives had me a little apprehensive.
So it was arranged. The following Friday afternoon, I borrowed mum's car and headed off down the coast. It was a hot day and I had the air-conditioning cranked up as well as the music, so it was a pleasant trip there. It was a little after 5 pm when I pulled into their driveway.
My heart was beating as I rang the front doorbell. I had run through in my mind how to handle the situation. Maintain eye contact. Remain calm and cheerful. Hopefully not be called upon to have a cuddle, but this seemed unlikely as Tanya was a big hugger.
I heard footsteps then the door swung open. Mercifully, Dave and Tanya were standing there fully clothed. I hoped they did not see the relieved look on my face. As expected, Tanya enveloped me in a great hug and when she released me, Dave did the same. It was so nice to see them after all this time as I truly loved being in their company. They are funny and kind and as they had not had children of their own, they always treated me like a daughter.
"Oh Claire, It is so nice to see you," Tanya enthused, "come in and let's get you a drink after that long drive."
The house was pleasantly cool as it had ducted air con. We sat down on the lounge as Dave went to the fridge and brought out three beers, knowing that that was my favourite tipple.
We sat and talked, catching up on what had been happening in our lives. We had a second beer and then Tanya escorted me to the granny flat. It stood on the other side of the swimming pool. It had a small porch out front with a table and two chairs. I instantly thought, what a great spot to have a morning coffee. Inside was surprisingly spacious, with a combined kitchenette and living area with the queen sized bed partitioned off. A large flat screen television was on one wall. There was a separate bathroom with an extra-large shower recess, as was later explained to me that it needed to be so to accommodate Tanya's late mothers shower stool. All in all, it looked absolutely fabulous and was more than I could have hoped for.
Tanya left me to settle in, saying that she was going to prepare dinner and to wander over when ready. I unpacked and decided to have a shower. I dressed in a light sundress as that was the most comfortable thing I brought. I put on panties but decided to forego with a bra. At home, that was always the first thing that I took off, as I was never a fan of them.
I sauntered back to the main house to see Dave and Tanya seated on the sunlounges enjoying a drink of white wine.
"Hi Claire, I hope the flat is going to be comfortable for you," Dave said brightly.
"Oh Dave, I love it. Its got everything I need," I replied, dispensing with the honorifics as they have always simply been known to me as Dave and Tanya.