We strolled into
Indulgences
like a mom and her two daughters, Sunny with her arm around my waist and over Sandy's shoulder.
We were escorted to our own private group room.
We undressed and changed into spa robes. I didn't know how Sandy felt about her body, but she recognized it as part of the culture and did a credible job of looking casual.
"You know, when we come in here with a bridesmaid's party, we talk about our guy, and guys in general," I said.
Sandy giggled.
"We're not doing that today. I'm not getting married and we're not a typical group."
Sandy moaned.
"We're going to talk about our guys and how we met them."
"I don't have a guy," said Sandy.
"You can talk about who you want to meet," I said. "Sunny, tell us how you met Louis. Was it very romantic?"
Sunny laughed. "Oh, it was about as romantic as you can possibly imagine."
The tone of her voice was not quite ironic, but there was little doubt her story would not sound like anything I had ever read in a romance novel.
She paused for dramatic effect and said in a breathy voice, "We met at a Mensa meeting."
I howled, and when I finished, I said, "No way."
"Way," said Sunny.
Sandy was looking at her mother with her mouth wide open in surprise. She had obviously never heard this story.
The door opened and Angelica, like that was really her name, greeted us.
"I'm glad you're having such a good time, ladies. Could you possibly keep it down just a little bit? Some of our other guests asked if we would speak with you."
I snorted, but managed to suppress a full out laugh. Sandy began to giggle and Sunny started to titter.
Angelica cleared her throat. Perhaps she had allergies.
We were all laughing but managed to keep it soft.
Angelica raised her eyebrows, tilted her head and left the room.
That occasioned more giggling which we quickly got under control.
When we settled, I urged Sunny, "Go on. You have to give us more than that."
"Patience," she said. "Though the movement was long over, I was a hippie, straight from the commune."
"In Mensa?" I asked with incredulity.
"I was a guest," said Sunny. "A friend asked me to come along with her to what passed for a party. I reluctantly agreed.
"After all, if you can't supply an IQ test, you have to take one, and hippies aren't exactly fond of being part of the orthodoxy. I'd never had an IQ test because Harri and Sam thought they were subversive."
That brought another round of laughter.
"Anyway," Sunny continued, but that was all she got to say.
Angelica came through the door and said, "We're ready for you, Miss Fine."
"No, I've got to hear the rest of the story," I argued.
Angelica stood immobile, a patronizing smile pasted on her face.
Suitably chastened, I groaned and followed her out the door.
Monique, she could have been a Monique, gave me two small towels to cover up and averted her eyes as I got on the table and arranged them.
She started me with a salt glow with
Indulgences'
proprietary blend of oils which included orange, lemon and lime as well as a secret ingredient. I wouldn't be surprised if it came from the flower of the Pretention plant.
I rolled over so she could do the other side. She had soft, gentle hands.
When she finished, she turned on the Vichy shower and adjusted the temperature before rinsing me off on the table. If she had used lavender I probably would have been asleep by then.
I tossed the wet towels, optional, so she could proceed with my shea butter wrap. This seemed like a more relaxing choice than something designed to help eliminate cellulite, which I don't think any of us had.
Monique wrapped me in a thermal blanket festooned with
Indulgences'
logo.
As I lay there she massaged my scalp. She wasn't as good as Jeff, but it was delicious nonetheless.
It ended with another Vichy shower and I dried off, put on my spa robe and slippers and Angelica magically appeared to escort me back to our room.
Sunny followed a few minutes later.
"I hope Sandy will be back soon," I said. "I've got to hear the rest of your story."
"I didn't think it was
that
interesting," said Sunny in a tone that let me know it was, even if it could not top Harri and Sam's first meeting.
Since I had chosen for our treatments to be in the same order it was no surprise when Angelica appeared with Sandy a few minutes later.
"Okay, let's hear the rest of the story," I said.
"Yeah, Mom, you've been holding out," said Sandy.
Sunny held up her hands.
"I wouldn't be much of a story teller if I gave you the whole thing at once. You've obviously enjoyed the introduction, but I think I should drag it out a little, savor it."
This elicited groans from both of us.
"Why don't you start to tell us how you met Jeff, Ashley?" she asked.
"Yes. I want to hear that," said Sandy.
I hadn't thought this far in advance. While it seemed like a good idea to find out Sunny's story, I didn't realize I would have to come up with a G-rated story for this company.
Well, Jeff's mom and little sister, I agreed to go out with him because I heard he was a great fuck.
"No, no. I think it's better to finish one story at a time."
"Why don't we vote?" asked Sunny. "I vote for Ashley's story."
"Me, too," said Sandy. I want to hear about Jeff."
I stalled for time.
"Well, you know I met Jeff when I was back in high school, but his name was Bill then."
"We know that," said Sandy. "We want to know what happened this time."
"No, high school is important to know if you want to understand what happened this time."
They seemed content to give me a chance to demonstrate that.
"As you know, Jeff helped me with school work. He tutored me. He even helped me anticipate what questions would be asked on the tests and what answers that teacher would prefer."
I spoke slowly. Perhaps Angelica would return and rescue me so I'd have more time to throw together an appropriate spin.
"He was really helpful. But one day he decided to ask me out. Really, guys, he was too young. Would you have let him take me out if I had said yes, Sunny?"
