They say when you do what you love; you never have to work a day in your life. This was especially true since I was leading my latest client through the woods. She was the farmer's daughter who could be found anywhere in the great northern plains. She had brown hair braided into a neat pony tail and freckles that dotted her otherwise clear face. She had matching brown eyes to accessorize her lightly sun damaged hair. She was the type of girl who could spend hours around her horses and always have a new story to tell. To complete her look, she wore clean yet worn overalls that modestly hid what I suspected was a knockout body.
I myself could never understand her lifestyle. Being that I grew up in San Francisco, I found more joy in good music, organic markets, tattoos, and a good night scene. But a place like California had its down side. There were plenty of dyed red hair, pierced, inked, dressed in Hot Topic black denim women like myself who pursued careers in alternative therapy. Even with my degree in psychology allowing me to handle both conventional and unconventional clients, I was a newcomer in a sea of established faces. Montana however gave me a fresh outlook and a fresh start in my career. Naturally I got myself established mentoring troubled youths and mending troubled marriages. Before I knew it I found myself branching off into alternative therapy. I had even patented my own therapy which was even featured in a psychology magazine.
"Ok Miss Clemens looks like we're here. Have any questions?"
She looked at the spot where our therapy would begin and looked back at me with confusion in her brown eyes. She said with a country twang as smooth as honey "I thought this was gonna be a group session."
"Well I find that a lot of social anxiety comes from within so I think getting comfortable with yourself is going to be the first step."
Again her sweet twang resonated "And that somehow involves a hot mud spring?"
"You'll see in just a minute. Now did you remember to wear a bikini?"
She rolled her eyes "Yes I did. Wait I'm not takin a mud bath am I?"
"I find that it helps my patients build self confidence in themselves. Plus it helps to think of it as a Jacuzzi."
Her eyes were no longer filled with confusion but rather impatient skepticism. I quickly got the hint to turn around as I heard the snaps on her overalls come undone. I impatiently tapped my black stylish work boots on the ground before I said "You've got nothing to be embarrassed about honey. We're all alone out here."
Her voice came back to me all flustered and uncertain. "But I'm embarrassed doc. I got all these freckles all over my body."
I involuntarily turned around and saw her cover herself with her hands. She chose a nicely modest navy blue bikini that covered most of her bust. However like she said she was covered in freckles. Her body still had nice curves and if she'd just show it off a bit more she wouldn't need therapy. As her therapist it was my job to help her feel confident. "They're kinda cute actually."
She slowly removed her hands and straightened her back. Her bust even began to pronounce itself as if she was a woman who knew her direction. She timidly replied "You really think so?"
"Oh sure you have a great body to boot. There are a ton of guys back in San Francisco who'd love to meet a good honest country girl like you. Now let's get this session started chop chop."
For the first time she smiled. It was weak and uncertain, but still involuntary. Carefully stepped towards the bubbling mud and dipped her toes into the hot soup. She said "It's nice n warm." She stepped out further into the mud and it sucked her ankles hungrily. She took another step forward and in a stunning show of faith she put her weight forward. Her blind trust was rewarded with her stumbling forward. She stood up to her thighs in boiling mud and I could see her face become flush. She quietly stood without moving a muscle yet I could see her bikini clad rear descending towards the bubbling surface. She looked at me once again with uncertain eyes and said "Umm doc, I think I'm sinkin'."