Page 31 of Without You

“Yeah, you kind of had me at two hundred fifty bucks, though,” she admits. “I also had the luxury of discovering that my mama and daddy have a day designated to being naked in their house, or they did before I moved back in with them, anyway, so the prospect of moving out of there sooner rather than later is pretty appealing.” Lifting her scone up, she adds, “But I want to finish my scone first.”

I don’t know how to digest the bomb she just dropped about her parents’ nakedness so I just file it away for discussion at another time. “Of course,” I murmur. “So what are you up to today?” I ask her.

“Oh! I didn’t tell you the best part.”

“There’s more? I thought it was enough to learn Frank and Gina like to spend their days naked and you’re going to move in to the apartment above my garage.”

“Yeah, we’ve unfolded a lot in the last fifteen minutes, huh?”

“That we have. So… the best part of the news isn’t that you’re moving out of your mommy and daddy’s house?”

“Nope. That’s just the second best. Even though finding out that my daddy is very fond of his naked time and I’m ecstatic that I won’t be around to actually witness it.”

“Well, that sounds like a story that I want to hear sometime soon.” I pop a bite of scone in my mouth and motion for her to continue as I chew.

“Yeah. It was a little concerning to hear about it all directly from his mouth. Anyway, you know how I’m taking classes for massage therapy? And I told you I only have a little over a month left, right?”

“Yup.”

“Anyway, I have class the rest of the day, like always, but I have an interview, kind of, with a salon tonight to discuss me working there.”

“Here in town?”

“Yeah. I was originally thinking of renting a space but really, this is a great way to start for me. I’m excited,” she practically cheers. “More excited than I expected to be, actually. Honestly, I’m surprised by how much I love massage therapy because I thought maybe touching complete strangers would kind of gross me out but it’s so satisfying. I love knowing that I’ll be helping people feel better and helping them relax.”

“I can tell this is exactly what you should be doing,” I say honestly. “And I’m excited for you. You don’t mind being back in school?”

“Not really. It’s not boring like sitting through a math class would be, for me, anyway. Plus, since I’m doing the accelerated program it’s kept me super busy and moving through it quickly, which helps. I think the next little bit while I finish up school and work as much as I can for dad will be crazy busy.”

I’ll say it’ll be crazy. Busy, too. No time for a personal life. Here I am thinking about having her move in basically into my house, or garage, and that we’d be able to spend all sorts of time together and get to know each other. I feel like a selfish ass feeling a twinge of disappointment that that’s not going to happen but at the same time, I love seeing the smile on her face.

“It might be crazy and busy but I have faith in you that you can handle it.”

“I’m not so sure, but thanks, Brody. That means a lot to me.”

“So you actually think you’ll enjoy rubbing your hands on strangers for money, huh?” I ask, teasing. Though, I’m man enough to admit that I’m more than a little jealous of anyone she’ll be rubbing. I also realize there’s far more to being a massage therapist than rubbing on people for money, and by the look she’s giving me, she knows I’m just teasing her.

“I mean, maybe not when they’re super hairy, but imagine what it would be like if someone like Thor lays down on the table,” she says, fanning herself. “Pretty sure I can handle it.”

“Great. I’ll be sure to get rid of any Thor look-alikes in town.”

She snorts and rolls her eyes.

“So what else? I know you have more plans for your career change.”

“I really need to work on that mysterious thing, huh?” she sighs then continues. “I really would like to open my own place someday so I’m not renting a room for my table or working for someone. But that will come with time. I need to pay my dues, so to speak. But yeah, it’s a down the road dream. I’ve considered other areas, too, like physical therapy but that’s more school and right now, that’s not appealing.”

“You’ve been thinking a lot about this.” I say it like the statement that it is.

“A lot,” she agrees, balling up the cellophane the scone was in.

“I’ll offer up my services of practice, if you need a guinea pig. In case all the local Thors of the community aren’t available, of course.”

“So generous.”

I place a hand on my chest and tell her in a serious voice, “That’s me. A constant giver.”

She giggles and reaches over, taking my empty coffee cup and hers.

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