Remembering in the beginning I recalled an exciting overwhelming feeling as each new client came. The money stopped my financial burdens instantly. Having been with Thomas everyday I was enjoying a far wider social life.
Juggling the ER schedule with my Therapy was a tough one. I didn't mention that I was involved in Sex Therapy to any fellow students. Awkward wouldn't be the half of it if they found out my involvement.
The cases never came to fast never seemed to be a lack of them either. Sitting in on the sessions were extremely beneficial for my part of the five week therapy.
I would sit some nights and try to remember my life without this in it. I was always harried, pushed for money, lack of sleep. It was every med student's night mare. I didn't have to get moon lighting jobs any longer, I was financially stable.
I was working with a master on Sexual Therapy. Any new innovative therapy was generally coming from his practice. Thomas never spoke about the sexual side of mine. I assumed he didn't care actually. His sessions were exhilarating each case history was spell binding.
I was laying back in the bath tub awaiting for the new client to come in. I enjoyed the whole process from session one to the nights like tonight. Being with Robert tonight would be an exciting challenge.
My mind started to drift when I heard a knocking on the door. I was covered completely with soap suds.
"Yes," I hollered out.
"It's Thomas, Abigail are you decent?" He sounded a little perplexed.
I looked around saw that I was completely covered before I answered him back.
"Yes, Yes, Thomas I am covered. You may come in." I said with a little alarm in my voice.
The door opened gingerly but he stepped in stood by the door. I could see he was distressed which threw me. Thomas never looked anything but calm. Tonight he was pale.
"I just heard that our session tonight was canceled. There was an automobile accident involving Robert. Sherry called from the hospital she thinks he will be released tomorrow morning." Thomas spoke quietly.
I noted he was uncomfortable being in the bath as I was naked. Or perhaps I wanted him nervous. I looked upon his face seeing the gentleness he possessed I could tell their accident was throwing him off tonight.
"Well, Thomas tomorrow will be fine they are in good hands. I think Martin is on call so they will be getting superb care. Thank you for letting me know, though."
I said with compassion.
He didn't make a move to leave. I sat there covered in bubbles but they were starting to evaporate. He was looking at me, I thought just do it Thomas. Just do it ask me out. Or walk over here and kiss me. Or anything or everything. I had to work hard to try and keep myself sane around him.
I knew he was twenty some years older than I. That didn't matter to me. I knew that he was my professor that also didn't matter to me.
His body was struggling for him to do the right thing. Which for him would be to turn around leave as quietly as possible. Yet, he stood there looking at me with eyes I couldn't read.
"Thomas is there anything else you want to say?" I regretted those words as I heard them leave my mouth.
Thomas didn't need me. I would be a hindrance in his eyes. I would cause way to many headaches for him. I sounded like I expected him to give his undying love to me this very moment.
His hand touched the door knob he turned but then stopped. Looking at me he smiled as he winked at me.
"Abigail you are a dangerous woman. The young man that wins your heart will be forever left off balanced by you. Your beautiful, intelligent, remarkably the best
sex therapist ever was known. I look upon your beauty right now I regret one thing, I regret I am not a man of youth." His voice trailed as he opened the door and left me.
I was sitting there mouth open he just said all these wonderful things then he left. He just left! I was so angry I threw the loofah at the closed door. My mind was reeling so when I heard Thomas laugh I was caught off balanced.
"Don't throw wet loofahs at wooden doors, they make such messes." His voice broke out laughing.
I was so enraged I could just spit. Then I looked at the water running down the door and I had to laugh. Thomas was a challenge in many ways. Hearing the nice things he said gave me a little encouragement.
"Don't worry Thomas I will clean it up. Oh and by the way thank you for noticing me." I laughed harder.
His office light was on when I had left the bath. I thought I should just knock then walk in there and drop my robe. Make him see my nudity maybe he would become inflamed by the sight. I did walk past his door but quietly walked on.
I was almost ready to leave when the electricity flickered. The lights were off but the generator didn't kick in. I knew I had a flashlight some where on my desk. I was scrounging around for it when a beam of light kissed my shoulder ever so lightly.
"Lights out." Thomas said with authority. His large frame filled the door way.
"Yes, I can see that Thomas." I teased him. 'Perhaps they will come on right away." I whispered.
"No, I don't think so the whole city is down. It's much to dangerous to leave here to try to drive Abigail." He spoke calmly.
We stood close to one another neither of us speaking. I was sure he could hear my heart beat. I could have reached out and touched his face so easily. His cologne was intoxicating. If he would only lean a little towards me we could kiss a kiss of innocence.
I was standing there wanting that kiss. Not knowing how to get it though. As I felt his body move I thought he is going to kiss me. I was so excited I closed my eyes waiting for that touch. I could feel his body leaning in I was becoming so light headed. This was it. This was the kiss that would allow us to go on see what could be for us?
All of a sudden I had a bright light blaring into my eyes. I opened them to find Thomas was leaning towards me but he was reaching past me. He was thisclose so I stood there. Waiting for this momentous kiss.
"Abigail your flash light was under the text book. Here I got it for you. Let me turn it on for you." Thomas was spoke.
I was fuming inside a stupid flash light. Well, this was it. No more wanting his kiss no more thinking I wanted him. I was done. I was so done with him that I took the flash light and turned on my heel left the room.
***************
Many years past that out break of chilled passion. Thomas had me he didn't know it, but he had me.
********************
I sat here recalling the cases that I had learned my lessons in life. Some were a mere knot in the tapestry of life. Some were major stitches that touched me so deeply. I know the general consensual outlook on sex therapy was it was a sleazy
profession.
People were living longer which made sexual relationships very basic and important in their daily life. They were having sex later and later in their years.
A marriage was a process of daily giving and taking. Ask each partner and the really good ones would say I give my 110% all the time. Their partners would say the same thing the key word was 'give'.
*******************************
I leaned back into my chair closing my eyes for a moment to regain my strength.
"Abigail are you sleeping?" Thomas spoke softly.
"Hhhhmmmm yes sound asleep, Thomas." I answered with teasing in my voice.