There was a light knock on the door that brought Theresa's gaze up from the glow of her laptop screen. Her appointment had arrived. Just before closing the screen she glanced back to it and again read the bold names at the top of the page, 'Doug and Janice Sorenson'.
"Come in."
The leather creaked as Theresa eased back into her large red office chair that she gently turned to watch the thick wooden door open. Her long time employee, Bradley, swung the door wide then lifted his open hand, inviting the couple to proceed. Doug entered first, followed by his wife, Janice, a fact that was well noticed by Theresa. The pair shuffled somewhat nervously into the office.
Bradley caught Theresa's gaze, "Ma'am," he smiled.
Theresa returned his smile, "Thank you Bradley," she replied warmly.
She watched the heavy door swing closed. The decisive click-click of the latch signaled to the three of them that they were now, and at last, alone, and in person, with one another. Theresa purposefully allowed her gaze to linger on the door for a few moments before slowly turning her chair to face the standing couple. She let the silence hang in the air, her head cocked slightly as she took them in. Her actions calculated and practiced. It was all a part of it.
Doug was in his mid-forties, fit and markedly handsome. He was clean shaven and well-kept with flecks of gray throughout his brown hair that lent to an overall sense of energetic maturity. His button-up shirt, slacks, belt, shoes, even his watch, all indicated he shopped higher-end retail and his appearance was surely important to him.
Janice was also in her mid-forties, petite, with a natural beauty that was accentuated by a lack of makeup rather than because of it. Her straight black hair only slightly styled and Theresa couldn't help but wonder if she was even obligated to dye it yet. While she too was dressed nicely, hers indicated a more conservative approach. She wore a sleeveless gray cotton blouse with black trim and matching knee-length skirt.
From what Theresa had learned, they met in college and had been married over two decades. They had one child away at college. Doug was a self-made man from a humble background who put himself through school and built a successful inventory storage business. Soon after marriage, Janice had voluntarily given up working and became a stay-at-home mom. The story of their marital problems was all too common and they both felt they'd drifted apart and found themselves leading separate lives. But Theresa also had come to believe they both still loved one another. If she didn't, she would not have agreed to take them as clients. Doug had a penchant for looking at porn and he'd admitted to some heavy petting with the young neighbor wife, Shelly. He swore nothing more had happened but it was enough for Janice.
Theresa noticed Doug beginning to extend his hand, his lips about to form words, and she quickly rose, extending her own to Janice, "Hello Janice. It's such a pleasure to finally meet you," she exclaimed with enthusiasm and a sense of sincerity. Doug's hand retreated and his fingers rubbed awkwardly together.
Janice's hands were clenched guardedly before her waist and she rubbed them together, "Hel..." her voice cracked. She cleared her throat and tried again, "Hello Theresa," she half-squeaked and was instantly mad at herself. Janice shook Theresa's hand softly and she was instantly aware of Theresa's fingers lightly caressing her palm. Theresa smiled reassuringly at her.
Theresa eventually pulled her hand from Janice's and turned to Doug. She extended her hand to him but this time only briefly shook it, offering a quick smile and, "Doug," as her greeting to him.
"Please, sit." Her arms spread out, inviting the couple to occupy the leather and wood chairs set before her formidable mahogany desk. They complied and she waited as they shifted, Doug taking longer to settle and become still.
Theresa eased back, her hands settling on the arms of her chair. She used the silence. Her legs crossed while she simply watched them. Her gaze was hard on Doug and he shifted and picked at his slacks, clearing his throat. She flashed him a faint smile that helped him settle.
At last Theresa broke the awkward silence, "I'm very pleased to have you both here at Mountain Pines and I'm confident we're going to have a rewarding experience. We're rooted in love and respect and everyone, from me to my entire staff, and even the other guests are committed to making everyone's visit here the absolute most it can possibly be. Please, don't be nervous. This is about you. It is about each of you as individuals and as a unified loving couple. We're only here to help."
Doug and Janice both smiled and said thank you.
There was again a light knock at the office door. "Alright, alright, that's the canned spiel," Theresa admitted, "And while I completely mean what I said, how's about we relax a bit huh??"
She could be so disarming, so engrossing. The Sorenson's laughed and nodded in agreement, their anxiety fading.
"Great!" Theresa exclaimed. "Come in Bradley."
Once again the thin, mildly effeminate man appeared in the doorway only this time bearing a tray that he set on a small table just inside. There was the clinking of glassware and soon he turned to face the couple, "Red wine for the lady," Bradley extended a glass to Janice, "And Scotch, neat, for the gentleman." Doug enthusiastically took the tumbler and offered a sincere thanks.
