The Retreat
Chapter 7
The next few days were relatively uneventful.
Sara decided to spend some time outside of her room and popped into the Lounge to see what was going on. Looking around, she spotted a small group of people gathered together and laughing at a story Carl was telling.
"... and then she yelled 'I told you not to put that in there!'" he said, mimicking a woman's voice. The group's laughter swept Sara up. She didn't know the full story but chuckled nonetheless. It was more because it felt good than anything else. Carl noticed her approaching and made his way through the group to greet her.
"Well look who finally decided to join us," he said with a wink and a grin.
"Yeah. Well, it was starting to get boring up there all by my lonesome. Gail hasn't been around much," Sara said.
A brief tightening around Carl's eyes and worry flashed across his face when she mentioned Gail not being around. She almost thought she was imagining things, as Carl immediately resumed his grin and led her to meet the rest of the group.
"You all remember Sara?" he announced.
A wave of greetings and hello's drifted up from the group as Sara and Carl approached. Sara felt a bit awkward. She always did when meeting new people. She never knew quite how to react, so she smiled politely and gave a little wave.
"Sara! Over here! Come, have a seat," Susan beckoned.
At least I know someone else here
Sara thought as she plopped herself on the couch beside Susan.
"I'm so glad to see you! I thought that Carl had scared you away!" She laughed, shooting a teasing look at Carl, and stuck out her tongue playfully.
Carl just laughed as he found a spot on the couch next to Susan.
"So how are you adjusting so far? It can be a little hard to accept, but you'll get used to it." Susan said, attempting to make conversation.
"So far, so good, I'm still trying to find my way around this place for the most part, but everyone has been so helpful," Sara replied.
"Which reminds me, thank you for the map the other day. I don't think I could have found my way here without it," she said, turning to Carl.
"Oh, it was nothing," Carl replied.
"So tell me Sara, what did you do before coming here?" Susan asked.
"Well, I am, was, a Financial Analyst. I'm good with numbers, but not much else," Sara replied.
"I had been stressed at work lately, and decided to hit up a bar and maybe find someone to take home, but met Leah instead, and... here we are I guess," she continued with a shrug.
"It's been a bit of a shock, but I think I'm adjusting alright. Gail has been the best," Sara said.
And it doesn't hurt that she's sexy as hell.
Sara left the thought unsaid.
"I found my way here much in the same way. But I worked as a Nurse. I get feeling stressed and feeling the need to be dicked down," Susan said with a giggle.
"I don't normally go for women, but Leah... goddamn that woman is hot as hell!" Susan went on,
"I let myself be seduced by her, and I don't regret a minute of it."
Sara, Susan, and Carl spent the next several hours chatting, laughing, and swapping stories. To Sara, it made her almost forget where she was. It felt good to just hang out. It was late afternoon when Carl had to leave to prepare for a client later, and Susan wanted to get a workout in. She invited Sara to join her, but Sara politely declined. Susan gave Sara a quick hug and then left for the gym.
Sara sat for a minute longer and decided to try to find Gail. Despite having such a great time with Carl and Susan, she still missed Gail.
She peeked in the pool room and only saw a couple of people she didn't recognize. She searched the Cafe, Doctor's office, Gym, and Gail's room. She was nowhere to be found. She decided to stop by and ask Leah if she knew where she was.
