“I’ll be right back,” he said, disappearing into the bedroom.
Tessa sunk back into the warmth of the sweet water. Her vaginal lips were still swollen and, as the old saying went, she felt like she’d been ‘rode hard and put away wet.’ But what a ride it had been. When Jason returned, he was carrying a large, delicate loofah.
“Where…?”
“Like the Boy Scouts, I come prepared.” He kneeled on the floor near the tub, dipped the loofah into the warm water and squirted it with moisturizing soap that also smelled like ginger. “Lay back.”
Tessa laid back into the water, resting her neck and head on the gentle slope of the tub. Jason softly ran the loofah across her breasts and down her belly. He put his hand into the water and nudged Tessa’s legs further apart.
“What?”
Jason understood. “There is more than one kind of sexual intimacy.” He waved the loofah. “This is intimate too, and it’s sexual. But its purpose is to calm and relax, not stimulate.”
Tessa nodded. She closed her eyes while Jason gently bathed the intimate places he had so expertly ignited. When he was finished, he patted Tessa dry and walked her to the bed. Tessa climbed in, exhausted and relaxed, though small sparks of anticipation began to quicken her pulse.
Jason settled Tessa in the big, comfortable bed and leaned over her, his face just inches from hers.
“You’re a beautiful lady with a wonderful spirit,” he said, softly brushing Tessa’s cheek with his fingers. “It’s been a pleasure working with you. Now, get some well-deserved sleep.”
He kissed Tessa softly on the cheek and left.
***
David,
It’s late and I’m exhausted, but too wired to sleep. I’m twenty-two floors up and higher than the moon, high because I finally let go of some of the baggage I’ve carried for way too long. I know you understand what I mean, because we all have baggage. If we’re lucky, we carry bags that aren’t heavier than what we can bear. Tonight, I lightened one of those bags and I am both elated and melancholy: elated to be one step closer to the me I want to be, but melancholy for all the time I wasted carrying such unnecessary weight.
Well, clearly enough of the philosophical! If I’ve half a brain I will delete this message instead of sending it.
Thinking of you from the 22nd floor,
Tessa.
And before she lost her courage, Tessa hit send.
***
Tessa dozed off at dawn and awoke, still sleepy, at nine. On her way to the bathroom, she noticed the creamy white envelope on the carpet, just under the front door. Carmen had told her there would be a day or two between ‘sessions,’ so she was a little surprised to receive instructions so soon. She slipped the note from the envelope and read:
Tessa,
It was my honor and privilege to spend time with you yesterday. You are such a lady, and everything Carmen said you would be. I know your journey will be a success. Remember the lesson of our day—ask for what you need—and face tomorrow with the same spirit.