Motto for the day: Whatever happens, happens.
Although this chapter is probably fine read separately, I'd suggest the reader goes back to read the first two chapters in order to get the background and what led up to this.
*****
So on Saturday Jen picked me up in the early afternoon and we started our road trip. She said that the destination, Jade Day Spa, was about 90 minutes away. As she was driving, Jen started to discuss what was going to happen.
"I know this seems like a spur of the moment thing, but I've been thinking a lot about it." she started. I just sat back and let her explain.
"If we are going to offer couples massages, and I think we should, we need to find out more about them. All I really know is that I'll need to get another table."
"So here's the plan. When we get there, they will assume we are a couple; husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend, whatever."
I chimed in with "Cougar and boy-toy..."
Jen laughed and said "Yeah, right."
She continued. "Let's not do or say anything that would lead them to believe that we aren't a couple."
"When I made the appointment I asked about the various packages and prices. I went for the highest priced package, which they call The Second Honeymoon. It's a huge package, with options on which treatments we choose. My suggestion is that we go with the flow. If any of the options don't appeal, we can always just pass on them."
I was intrigued to say the least, but I did understand her plan of attack. "Experience it all so we can decide what we want to offer? Sounds good to me!" I said.
"Whatever happens, happens?" she asked.
"Agreed!"
Thinking about Jen's 99% female clientele, I asked "Do you really think there is a market for this? I mean, do you know of any couples that would want a massage?"
Jen replied "I've thought about that. I'm guessing that some of my clients would try it, especially if we offered a first time discount. And we'd have to advertise, probably with a similar discount offer. After that we'd have to refer on word of mouth. I'm not expecting to have a huge demand; it would just be another service to offer."
Before much longer we were pulling into the parking area for the Jade Day Spa. The building was a stand-alone, which was nice, as I had envisioned it as being in a strip mall. It was an older building, Victorian style, but looked to be in excellent condition, and it was nicely landscaped. All in all, it seemed very inviting.
We entered into a lobby where a receptionist greeted us. After confirming our appointment, she picked up a phone and announced that we had arrived. She told us that Jodie would be out to show us around shortly. In the mean time she gave us some paperwork; a general set of health questions, a consent form, and a list of services. I quickly filled out the health questionnaire, scanned and signed the consent, then looked over the offerings. The 'Second Honeymoon' package consisted of any or all of the following - a manicure, pedicure, use of a hot tub, steam room, and shower, and an hour body massage, either Swedish, hot stone or pressure point.
I mentioned that the manicure and pedicure didn't really appeal to me, but Jen reminded me that we had agreed to experience it all.
The attendant entered through a side door and introduced herself. Jodie was petite, no more than 5 feet tall, with short cut auburn hair. She was dressed in medical scrubs, but they fit her well and I could tell she had a nice body, well-proportioned to her size.
Jodie told us that she was our personnel guide for the day, and that while she might be assisting with some of the services, her main job was to organize the experience for us. She led us through the door and into the spa. We turned into a hallway, then up a flight of stairs and into our designated room.
It was very spacious, but front and center were the two massage tables side by side, head-to-foot. On one side of the room there was what I assumed to be a changing area, with a bench in front of a wall that had cubby holes to put belongings in, and a built in closet. There were two white plushy robes hanging in there. One that same side of the room there was a bathroom area. It had an open shower stall, a sink, a urinal and behind a half wall, a toilet.
The other side of the room had two large reclining chairs, which I assumed would be for the manicures and pedicures. The wall on that side had shelves of bottles of lotions and creams, stacks of various sizes of towels and a couple of candles. They had already been lit; the scent was very light.
The room made Jen's studio seem so tiny. I began to wonder if her studio could even hold the two tables.
Jodie explained that the room was ours for the duration of our 'honeymoon'. She kind of gave us a little wink we she said that. Then she produced a clipboard with a checklist and asked us which of the services we'd be interested in, and in what order.
Jen spoke first. "We're going to put ourselves totally into your hands. We're up for all of the options on that list as well as anything else you think we might enjoy. And we'll let you decide the order."
Jodie smiled and said "Excellent! Why don't we start off with some time in the steam room, then a shower and your body treatments? Manicure and pedicure for the both of you?"
I replied this time "We're here for the full experience. Those will be a first for me, but why not?"
Jodie replied that she loved my attitude and guaranteed that we'd enjoy the afternoon.
She pointed toward the changing room area and said "First things first. Undress and can change into your robes. There are slippers as well. I send an assistant who will get you started with a steam."
Jodie added "Most of the services we offer will take place in this room, where, of course, your privacy is preserved. But the hot tub and steam room are in a common area. You might run into other clients in either. Most of our clients prefer to be unclothed for both, but it is totally up to you. Swimsuits or underwear are also acceptable; whatever you are comfortable with. "
