Friday 1:30 PM
Savannah 2 Miles. The sky was blue and the sun was bright as he drove past houses and vacant lots with white sugar sand. It looked hot outside the air conditioned car.
A mild shock coursed through his nervous system. "Soon, it will be real," thought Steve to himself. "Savannah in August is sure to be the vacation from, no, make that into, Hell. $150 per day bed and breakfast on the beach. What a waste of money. What was there to see? Civil War sites and antebellum mansions? Not to mention the hypnotherapy thrown in. She's such a bitch," continued Steve to himself as he glanced at Cynthia still sleeping during the long, boring drive.
At 32, Cynthia stayed fit and slim by religiously working out. Her dirty blonde hair and model's features attracted Steve to her but her practice of fundamental religion grated him after the honeymoon period of the marriage passed.
"I'll wake her one mile out. If only Jenny hadn't called when she did," continued Steve with his stomach tightening up, "then this would not be happening. Therapy must be a female thing for solving problems. Though, this worthless trip is better than divorce number two and more child support payments."
"Cindy," Steve called softly, "Savannah in 1 mile. Wake up." Cindy blinked in the bright sun and stretched the muscles which had started to cramp in the car.
"Savannah, how exciting," Cynthia exclaimed. "I've always wanted to visit elegant Savannah in old Georgia. We'll have a good time. Thank you, Jesus, for the safe trip."
"Amen," said Steve concealing his micro-winch. "An exciting time?" Steve thought to himself. "Those five babes before nearly getting caught with Jenny were exciting times. Women are just naturally attracted to lawmen; it comes with the job. Well, let's make the best of it."
"Hon, would you read me the directions again, please?" asked Steve.
Friday 2:05 PM
The smell of saltwater assured they were in the right location, south of town. "It should be coming up soon on the right, hon," said Cynthia. "The number is 3150." Cynthia cautiously scrutinized each beach house.
"What's the name of this place?" asked Steve.
"Captain James Stanley Bed & Breakfast Inn," she replied. "I think it's the pink sign."
"A good weather eye has you," Steve mimicked in pirate talk. "Is this supposed to be a pirate's house? If it's haunted, I'm not going in."
Cynthia flashed a perturbed look. "Why don't you ask them inside?"
As Steve left the parked car, he pressed the key fob to open the trunk. Like any law enforcement professional, he walked deliberately to the back of the car and easily unloaded the luggage bags. The beige shorts with long billed sport fish splashed about on loose white shirt signaled that he was in a vacation mind.
Soon, Cynthia imaged, they would be reclining on a beach towel on a busy beach and she could observe the other women on the beach from behind her extra dark sunglasses. The other women would be admiring Steve's muscular body and fine face. Their jealous looks compensated for Steve's many rough edges.
Shutting the empty trunk, Steve said, "Take those two and lead the way. I'll get these." Steve hoisted the 120 lbs. of luggage. As Cynthia bent down to lift the two makeup bags, her blonde hair fell and her loose fitting beige top gave view to her perfect cleavage covered by a beige bra. After Steve once remarked that hiking boots and white short shorts turned him on, she took every opportunity to don the apparel, no matter how hot or impractical.
Like sudden cramps after a bad meal, Cynthia stopped in her tracks. "For some reason," she began, "I don't like the looks of this. Something is wrong. I got a bad..."
Steve smiled at her. "I thought you checked this place out?" he retorted. "The prepaid room is non-refundable, so if you've got something concrete... Otherwise, nothing appears wrong to me." He grabbed her above the elbow and led her up the pathway.
Cynthia issued another audible prayer, "Lord, put a hedge around us..." Steve hurried her along the path. "Lord," Cynthia continued, "that you be glorified..."
"Welcome to the Captain James Stanley Bed & Breakfast. My name is Franzie Gelthaus," offered a short, stout woman in her late 40's with a slight German accent. "Did you find us easily?"
"Yes, your directions were clear. I'm Cynthia Renfro and this is my husband Steve Renfro," she said.
"Won't you follow me and I'll introduce you to my husband, Adolph Gelthaus. He likes to meet our guests before he assigns their room," she turned and motioned for them to follow her down a windowed hallway. Cynthia and Steve looked at all the furnishing and then at one another and followed. Her initial fears subsided.
Cynthia became absorbed by the collection of antiques, "Look. Don't you just love this place, Steve?" Cynthia asked. Steve bobbed his head and grunted.
Franzie poked her head into an office door and said, "Adolph? These are the Renfro's, Steve and Cynthia."
Adolph rose straight up. "Welcome," he said with a slightly more pronounced German accent. "I am Adolph Gelthaus at your service. I am so happy you are here," he said as he shook their hands and motioned for Steve and Cynthia to sit on the guest chairs before his precisely organized desk. "Did you have a pleasant journey?" asked Adolph as he retreated to his chair behind the desk. "Did you find us easily?"
"Yes, thank you," began Steve. "We'd like to check in."
"Yes. Please indulge me here slightly. We have many unique rooms and I'd like to get to know you a little so that I can select the precise room that fits you. Please sit back and relax," he said and uncapped a pen. "As you know, included with your lodging is a complementary hypnosis therapy session. As you can see by the certificates on the wall, I have worked improving people's lives for over thirty years. I believe I can help improve your lives in a major way with hypnotic suggestions. Please tell me what you'd like to change or accomplish in your lives."
"Do you mind if we check in first?" asked Steve impatiently. "I don't want to inconvenience Franzie and you."
"Steve, you promised me, remember?" Cynthia said sternly. "Sorry Mr. Gelthaus. We will do it your way. You can start with me and Steve can see what you are doing, okay?"
"Adolph, please. Not Mr. Gelthaus. You are our guests and our new friends. Very well, Cynthia. Please close your eyes and relax. Relax deeply. You, too, Steve. Close your eyes and relax. Relax deeply. Cynthia, feel your legs gaining weight and then becoming light. Now do this with the rest of your body; heavy and then light." Soon they were both induced into a hypnotic trance.
Adolph looked at the closet in the room and then back to his guests. He asked, "What is it that you would like to accomplish when you go home?"
"I'd like to lose weight and have a closer relationship with my husband," Cynthia responded.
"What weight would you like to be in one year?" asked Adolph.