A Day at the Spa
By Rossclan

Jessica swung her long shapely legs out of the car, sighed and got out of the car. My stress level is so high right now, she thought to herself as she closed the car door, I don’t even want to do this. How crazy is that?

“This” was a day at the spa, courtesy of her husband. She had been working so hard lately on a big project and had gotten so stressed out over it – long hours, late nights, bad meetings, bad food, and too much bad coffee – he knew that a day of pampering would be just the ticket. “Go. Enjoy yourself,” he insisted that morning. “You deserve it. … Especially at this spa.”

Especially at this spa. It was the way he said it that intrigued Jessica the most. She had gotten frustrated with him earlier because he wouldn’t elaborate; he just grinned and pushed her out the door. It was a spa. How bad could it be?

She looked at the gift certificate again as she walked toward the glass doors of The Essential Day Spa. “Good for one all-natural massage session.” All-natural. Herbs, probably a mud bath or fruit paste. Eh, why not. Jessica pushed open the door to some lovely tinkling door chimes and an amazing aroma that simply invaded her senses.

“Welcome,” said an attractive blonde woman from behind a counter. “My name is Jill. I see you have one of our certificates. You must be Jessica.”

“Why, yes.” Wow, she thought. Friendly and they are expecting me. I like it so far. “What is that aroma I am smelling?”

“Night-blooming jasmine,” Jill said. “I know, I know. It’s not night, but we have some growing in our green room and we’ve tricked them into thinking it is nighttime. Our central air system pumps that scent throughout the building. It sets the mood for everything we do here.”

“So I can see,” Jessica said. “I feel better already.”

“Good,” Jill said with a sincere smile. “That is why we are here. Your husband said you have had a rough week. I can promise you that you will leave here feeling like a new woman.” Jill winked at her new customer. “Now, let’s begin. If you will, follow me.”

She winked at me, Jessica thought. That was kind of weird. Jessica got the same feeling she had that morning when her husband gave her the smile and evasive answer. What is going on? Her mind started jumping to conclusions, and she got nervous – her pulse quickened and her breathing started getting jittery. Stop it, she told herself. It’s a spa. This lady is just being nice. Relax.

“We will help you relax, Jessica,” said Jill, almost reading Jessica’s mind. “But you have to trust that we can help you relax. Does that make sense?” Again, the sincere smile and assuring tone.

“Umm, sure,”

“I know,” said Jill, taking Jessica’s hand, “it is a bit awkward. I assume you’ve never been to a spa before?”

“Well, massages, yes, but not a day spa.”

“Well, we do massages, too, as part of our services, but we specialize in holistic therapy – the aroma you noticed as you walked in, for instance, is designed to set you at ease. We cater to all your senses, too. Listen. Do you hear the gentle beating in the background?”

“Uhhh, no.” Jessica then closed her eyes and concentrated. “Wait … that bum-bum, bum-bum?”

“Yes,” said Jill with an enthusiastic grin.