Note: this is just a part of Karen's backstory but the most important part, she would agree, for the episodes from her life previously recounted and to come.
Judith pressed the bell button and a little later she heard the soft footsteps behind the door. When the door opened, she saw her grandmother's delighted face. Karen, an honest and open woman in her 56th year, invited her granddaughter in and shortly afterwards they were both sitting on the couch. Karen had a good knowledge of human nature and guessed that Judith had something on her mind.
"What is it, little one?"
Judith was 18, but she still liked the way her grandmother talked to her. She would always be the little one of hers, even if she had come of age.
"I have an idea and wanted to ask you if you would support me with it."
"If I can help you," Karen said and thus offered her support.
"It's a bit tricky, I think," said Judith, shuffling in her seat.
"Then it was just right that you came to me with it," Karen replied with a smile. "Come on, tell me... Trouble with boys or with your mother?"
"Neither."
Judith had poured out her heart to Karen more than once and Karen had always intervened as a mediator when there were problems between her and her mother Annie.
"You know I'm interested in photography and seek out what other artists and photographers are doing."
Karen nodded.
Judith then took a magazine out of her shoulder bag and opened it. Then she held the magazine out to Karen and Karen examined the pictures in the article. Judith watched intently as her grandmother looked at the photos, frowning now and then. She turned several pages and then looked questioningly at her granddaughter.
"I don't quite see why I should look at photos of naked women."
Judith was initially happy that Karen had reacted relatively neutrally. She pointed to the magazine and began to explain her request.
"I saw the article by accident and found it really interesting... It's about the fact that the photographer wanted to photograph women of different generations together. So daughter, mother and grandmother... And I find the approach very interesting that they present themselves naked."
Karen looked at her granddaughter with amusement. Then she turned her attention back to the photos in the magazine.
"You can see that the women are of different ages. Yes, and if you look closely you can see a certain resemblance in their faces," she said.
"I found that really fascinating because you can see what the young woman will look like when she's the age of her mother or her grandmother," said Judith.
"I think the photos are pretty good, as far as I can tell," Karen said. "Especially since the women were photographed in a relatively aesthetic way and they concealed their private zones a little."
"Yes, the article appealed to me immediately," said Judith. "To show the women of a family as nature created them. A great idea."
Karen looked at her granddaughter and then put on a mischievous smile. She knew what the little minx had in mind.
"If I Interpret your enthusiasm correctly... You don't happen to intend to start a project like this in your family?"
Judith was always surprised how easily her grandmother could read her mind. Karen obviously had a good nose or something like a sixth sense. She looked at the woman across from her and asked,
"Don't you think it would be interesting to be part of a project like this? I mean it would be very different from the usual family photos and if you do it right you can do something very artistic with it."
Karen knew how stubborn her granddaughter was and that it was difficult to get an idea out of her head once it had taken root. However, this was not about something that Judith could do on her own. If she wanted to pull this off, she needed the support of her mother and grandmother.
"I'm assuming your mother doesn't know about this yet, little one."
"I wanted to discuss it with you first," said Judith.
"And because you hope that I'll say yes and keep pressing my daughter until she admits defeat too." Karen concluded.
"Roughly." Judith admitted.
They both laughed.
"Please tell me what's so appealing about it for you." Karen asked. "I mean, suppose it comes to these photos. What then?"
Judith thought for a moment and then said,
"Of course I realize that you can't do much with the photos. I wouldn't publish them or anything. It's just about doing something artistic as a photographer and because I think the idea is so great, I really want to do it."
"And why should I be interested in my wrinkled old body ending up in a photo?" Karen asked with a grin.
"That's not true." Judith hurried to say. "You still have a great figure and lovely legs."
"And who do you think should take the photos if you want to be in the photos?" Karen asked.
"I'll ask Sally, my best friend," said Judith, who had come prepared for all possible questions.
Karen seemed list in thought and Judith had to suffer an extended silence. Then she looked deep into Judith's eyes.
"When I think about it, I have to admit that it sounds quite interesting.... I wanted to have a family picture of you anyway, albeit more with clothes on.... If it were up to me I would do it, but I doubt you can convince your mother."
Judith beamed with satisfaction and spontaneously hugged her grandmother.
"I knew I could count on you... Don't you think you could help me persuade Mom?"
"I can use my connections," Karen replied with a smile.
As expected, Judith's mother Annie proved to be a tough nut to crack. At 37, she wasn't so old that you had to assume an absolutely conservative attitude about her, but when Judith and Karen explained the matter to her together, the expected rejection followed. She was by no means willing to get involved in such nonsense and was also surprised that Karen supported the nonsense in her granddaughter's head. Thanks to Judith's persistence and Karen's persuasiveness, Annie finally agreed to take part, even though she continued to question the sense of this undertaking.
Annie didn't really like that Judith's girlfriend Sally would be part of the group, because that would involve someone from outside the family. But since Annie had known Sally for several years and she had proven to be extremely reliable in the past, Annie reluctantly agreed.
They ended up meeting on a Saturday afternoon at Judith and Annie's apartment. Since Annie's father had left the family many years ago no one else lived with them. Sally, Judith's photographer friend, was also present and you could tell she was particularly tense. Sally was flattered that she was allowed to take part but she'd never done anything like this before.
After a leisurely lunch, the four women finally found themselves in the living room and as they edged their way to the main event, somewhat crablike, the anxiety in the room was palpable.
Karen turned out to be the one who appealed to the others to relax and not back down. She was also the first to part with the first pieces of clothing. Judith followed her example and took off her blouse after Karen had already stripped down to her underwear. It was agreed that real nude photos should be taken, which is why Karen took off the rest of her clothing. When her mother stood naked in the room, Annie had first taken off her top. As she now looked at her mother, she couldn't help but grin.
"What's so funny?" Karen wanted to know from her.
"Nothing," she implied. "It's just because you're standing here naked among us and it looks like you don't have a problem with that."
"Why should there be a problem?" Karen asked. "We know each other and we're on our own. And I'm sure that Sally has no problem with taking my old body to heart."
"Now don't exaggerate, Karen. I'd be happy if I was as crisp as you when I'm your age, " interjected Sally.
Sherry was a year older than Judith and just as attractive and well built as her friend. But in contrast to Judith, who had meanwhile stripped naked, you could only guess at her beautiful body under the fabric.