Melissa found the note in her mailbox. She recognized his handwriting and drew a quick breath. She walked to her desk before opening it. Her pulse quickened and her nipples began to harden. The note was short and to the point. "You will prepare for a weekend trip. You will only bring a yakata, the personal hygiene items as necessary, and your toys. You will be ready at 5 P.M. on Friday." It was unsigned. There was no need. Her thoughts were confused with the erotic memories of the last time and bewilderment of the coming weekend.
The remaining days of the week past quickly. On Friday afternoon, she packed her small bag and waited. At 5 P.M. sharp, there was a single knock at her door. Melissa picked up her bag, opened the door and went with him.
As they walked to the car, she looked at him. Not much had changed in the six months since she last saw him. He still walked with light, silent steps. His hair was shorter now, but that didn't surprise her. His hair length and whether or not he wore a beard, was constantly changing. He hadn't gained any weight and he was tanned. His mouth and eyes is what intrigued her. They were capable of laughing and cold silence at the same time. It is said that the eyes are the windows of the soul. His eyes told nothing. Jeremy's eyes seldom did.
Jeremy opened the car door for her and after she got in, he took her bag. He went around to his side and opened the door and threw her bag onto the back seat. After starting the car, he opened the center arm rest and took out a sleep mask. "Put this on and don't remove it until I tell you." As Melissa put on the mask and her visual world was shut off, she heard strains of Beethoven's 1st and 2nd Sonatas playing. "I know that you like classical music and I brought some of my favorites for us to listen to." he said. As the cello and the piano played, she began to relax.
"What have you been doing the last few months?" he asked.
"Just working and trying to stay busy. My father was here a few months ago on his way to Singapore. I was offered some new training for work but I turned it down because they couldn't promise me any substantial promotion afterwards. Where have you been and what have you been up to?"
Jeremy was quiet for a moment before answering. When he spoke, his voice was smooth and with a touch of an accent. "I've been in and out of the area a couple of times since the last time you saw me. I couldn't contact you because of the projects. The rest of the time, I've been wearing my troubleshooter's hat and have been jumping from one hot spot to another." They continued to talk about everything except what she really wanted to know, what was going to happen this weekend.
They had been driving for about 45 minutes in heavy traffic when they turned off onto a smaller road. The traffic was lighter now and she could tell that they were going uphill through a series of switchbacks. Traffic had lightened enough that Melissa only heard an occasional car passing. Jeremy slowed down and turned off the paved road. The car bounced along a dirt road for about 15 minutes and finally stopped. He got out of the car and came around to Melissa's side and opened her door.
"Can I take this mask off now?"
"Not yet, just a few more minutes." She could smell the scent of pines and a wood fire burning.
Jeremy took Melissa by the arm and guided her towards her destination. She could hear a small brook splashing in the background. She stumbled slightly on the flagstone walkway. They stopped walking and Melissa heard a sliding door open. "Step up" he said and as she did, she felt the warmth of the fire she smelled earlier. Jeremy shut the door and led Melissa closer to the fire.
He stopped and turned to Melissa, "You may take off the mask now." As Melissa lifted the mask, she saw that she was in a room with a stone fireplace against one long wall and the opposite wall had open shoji screens overlooking a Japanese garden with a small stream. The floor was of polished hardwood with tatami mats in front of the fireplace. The room had very little furniture, just a low table and a small wooden chest. There was two closed doors on the far wall and the single door that they came in behind her.
"Welcome to my retreat" Jeremy said. "This is where you will become aware of yourself and your desires. These rooms will be your classrooms and I will assist you in your learning."
Melissa looked at Jeremy and asked "What will I be learning?"