After some twenty-plus years of marriage, two kids, and careers for them both, it was sometimes surprising to her that she and her husband were still in love. It took a fair bit of work, to be sure, but he was worth it because he always had made her feel loved. Even when he worked a series of late nights or when she had to work too many Saturdays and Sundays at the library, he still greeted her with a kiss and a smile every night and again every morning.
She thought of their honeymoon, over two decades ago, the two of them sitting on the balcony of their hotel shortly after dinner, looking out over the moonlit mountains. They were curled up in that lounge chair, just touching and caressing one another, letting the world flow by without any cares or worries, enjoying the wonderful feeling of simply being together.
Now, these so many years later, it was much harder to capture those elusive feelings. Maybe there were too many trials in their lives, too many small crises behind and before them, so much work, and so little time. That is why they had decided to start making special times, just for themselves, with no work and no worry. It was still hard to do, with work weeks so long and weekends reserved for their boys. That meant less time for them.
However, today, it was time for a different kind of special time. Mary Ann loved her husband dearly, but she also adored her alone time.
Mary Ann walked into the spa a few minutes early. She thought about how an hour from now she would back out more relaxed and better able to handle the stress of the rest of her week. She changed quickly and sat in her towel, waiting for her turn on the massage table.
As she sat there Mary Ann looked off across the room. The person staring back at her from the wall of mirrors looked exactly like how she felt - a nearly middle-aged woman working hard to raise a family and provide a small but vital career for herself. A woman that didn't have much time left for the niceties of life. But Mary Ann enjoyed her life and this next hour was one for hers to enjoy in peace.
The little blue light came on indicating the massage room was empty and waiting for her.
'It's time!' She whispered to herself and bounced up out of the chair as her heart raced. A not-so-strange tingling sensation rolled around in her abdomen. It happened every Monday, at least every Monday afternoon for the last year since Donnie had given her a two-year massage contract for Valentine's Day.
She was almost too shocked after the very first massage she almost didn't return a second time. It felt strange to have someone, other than her husband, touch her nearly bare body. She got used to it after the second session however and had grown increasingly more relaxed after a few weeks. She had only missed three weekly sessions in all this time, once during the past holidays and twice during their summer family vacation.
Mary Ann walked into the massage room and closed the door behind her. She pulled the white towel wrapped around her open. Her body felt dewy in the warmth of the lights as she lay face down on the massage table and then draped the towel back over her bottom. She laid her head on her forearms and anticipated the usual energetic arrival of her masseuse, and now friend, Lindsay.
Mary Ann found herself dozing until she heard the door open.
She looked up and got ready to say hello to Lindsay, but it wasn't her. It was Rebecca, the front desk receptionist.
"Mrs. Snyder. I am so sorry, but Lindsay just had to leave. She, uh, had a real problem with her teeth, her tooth. She rushed off to the dentist." Rebecca stood a few feet from the table with her clipboard clutched to her chest.
"Oh, poor girl. But I understand. I'll just come back next week." Mary Ann said as she began to tuck the towel around her and get up.
"No!" The young girl almost yelled. "I mean, we have a substitute that can squeeze you in if you'd like." Rebecca held out her clipboard and ran her finger down the page.
"Well, I really would love to get these awful kinks out today. It's been a mean Monday and its going to be such a long rest of the week." Mary Ann laid herself back down on the table. "Is the other masseuse just as experienced?"
Rebecca grinned, looked from her clipboard at Mary Ann and back to the blank paper.
"Oh yes, certainly. Should I send the substitute in then, Mrs. Snyder?"
"Please. I'm just too comfy to get back up. I might have even asked you to let me take a nice hour long nap right here, if nothing else." Mary Ann laid her head back into the folds of her elbows.
"Good. Fine then. Your masseuse, uh, yes, well, should be right in. Do enjoy." Rebecca grinned broadly again.
Mary Ann heard the door open and close.
She must have actually drifted off this time, because the next thing she heard was the substitute masseuse behind her, arranging the lotion and oil bottles.
"I guess I am more tired than I thought, I didn't even hear you come in." Mary Ann said keeping her head on her arms her eyes looking down.
Her new masseuse did not respond, but Mary Ann did feel oiled, strong hands on her calves. The lotion was warmer than Lindsay usually started with.
"Mmm, can't tell if that's better or not, but that warm oil does feel good today."
The hands kneaded her calves and squeezed. These hands were much stronger than Lindsay's. Maybe this masseuse had even more experience than Lindsay.
"How long have you been a masseuse?" Mary Ann asked.
"About three years." The deep, husky voice came from behind her.
It was not a woman's voice. Mary Ann nearly sat up from the shock.
"Who..." She looked back to see a tall, dark haired, young man leaning over the table rubbing her legs.
"Miss, you may want to lie back down." Her masseuse or rather masseur commented and nodded at her upper body.
Mary Ann looked down toward the direction of his nod. She had raised so far up her left breast was very much in his view. She quickly cupped it and fell back on to the cushioned table. She held her breath as she stared straight ahead toward the far wall.
"Am I disturbing you in any way, ma'am?" He asked.
"Umm, no, no why do you ask?" Mary Ann started to breathe short shallow breaths as she squeezed her eyes shut.
"Well, your body is suddenly so very tense."
She could feel this man's strong, but soft hands reach nearer to her knees. Still kneading, he was drawing her muscles out.
"No, I...well; yes I guess you did surprise me some." She stammered.
His hands left her legs. "Should I stop then?"
Mary Ann turned her head back so she could see his face.
"I just wasn't expecting, well, a, uh, a man." Two gorgeous brown eyes and a ruggedly handsome face greeted her. "I have had Lindsay almost exclusively for almost a year now." She continued to stare at him, looking now at his broad muscular shoulders and on down to his tapered waist in that tight white t-shirt.
