Page 28 of The Holidays with Dr. Mitchell
“That might be the wrong bell to be ringing on my account, Gus,” Collin said, his voice weak and tired. “I think I expelled every ounce of wisdom with theApana Vayumovements I was enduring last night,” he said, prompting us to chuckle.
“Come,” Gustoff said with a smile. “There are outdoor showers that flow naturally from our springs that will cleanse you all and prepare you for our yoga sessions today. The food that has been prepared will replenish your bodies from what was lost while flushing out the toxins.”
“You know something?” Collin said, a man who’d practically begged to hold hands hours ago while the thunder rolling out of our asses slapped louder than any storm nature could drum up. “This might be good for us.”
“You’re dehydrated, lightheaded, and areliterallyno longer full of shit, so I’m guessing you really mean that?” I answered.
“I lost my will to fight, bro. I think I had an out-of-body experience last night,” he said with a laugh while everyone fumbled to pull our tunics down and follow Rojak toward the showers.
“He got me a bit more interested after stating that this whole detox process will heighten the sexual experience. I’m going to need a payoff after that showdown last night,” I said.“Well, we have no idea what the next step will be, so let’s not praise the detox gods yet.”
“You think Ash and Laney had to go through this?” I asked, a bit concerned about my wife.
“Your wives are well looked after and taken care of, I assure you,” the man leading us said. “Do not worry about them. Women are much stronger than men mentally. When you achieve ego death, you shall understand this.”
“I’m not arguing with that truth,” I answered. “I felt like I gave birth to a herd of buffalos, and I felt death coming for me last night. I’ve never imagined myself being stronger than my wife in such situations.”
“Very good,” the man smirked and smiled at me. “You may achieve ego death sooner than the rest.”
“That’s the hope,” I said, proud of myself for scoring a point.
CHAPTER 15
Ash
After a rejuvenating spa day with a massage and cucumber water to help with hydration, I felt more relaxed and renewed than I’d felt in a long time. Granted, we could have done this at any luxury spa in Southern California, but to have the magnificent Indian Ocean to complement the scenery beyond our over-the-water villas? Well, nothing else could ever compare.
“Now, every holiday season, we cater to our lovely visitors and host a fun holiday boutique for you all to find and pull out that creativity that the stresses of your individual lives may have dampened. When you return to your rooms, you’ll find the charm of our artificial trees, decorated with coastal ornaments and charm. You will also find paints and crafting materials to decorate ornaments from local shells and rocks there. Hopefully, you will use them to remind you of this special Christmas season you’ve chosen to spend with us on the island.”
“Will our husbands be joining us for any of this?” a lady questioned with curiosity.
“Your husbands will be returning once they have gone through their rejuvenation process. After that, we hope they’ll be reunited with their beautiful, relaxed wives and enjoy a few lovely nights with festive, renewed spirits,” Hammond kindly stated. She raised her hands, guiding us to stand, “You are free to spend the rest of your days crafting or enjoying the healing salty air. All the food you need has already been delivered to your room. If you need anything more, you know how to reach us, and it will be delivered.”
“This is heaven on Earth,” Laney said, giggling and livelier than I’d seen her in months. “I bet the men regret bitching before they left now, too.”
“True. They’re probably ziplining and doing God knows what else in that forest they were brought to,” I answered as Laney and I walked arm-in-arm to our neighboring villas. “So, what should we do?”
“I think we should go snorkeling again like yesterday, then lay out for a bit, and if you want, we can craft or whatever Hammond said.” Laney chuckled, “Iknowyou’re dying to unleash your artistic side while we’re here. I can’t imagine a painter like you coming to a majestic place like this and being unable to unleash your talents.”
“You know me well, don’t you?” I laughed. “I love doing little crafts, too, especially with the kids.” I took a deep breath and looked around at our surroundings, “It is weird though, isn’t it?”
“What’s weird?”
“Being in a tropical paradise when the Christmas season is starting? I love it, of course, but I’m afraid I won’t be in the holiday spirit when we get home.”
“I know what you mean,” Laney answered. “And it does kind of suck that we came all the way out here to be at thesex retreatwith the guys, and the first thing that happens when we get here is that they’re taken away from us.”
“Maybe they’re going to learn some new fun tricks?” I teased.
“Dear God,” Elena said. “What the hell do you think they’re teaching them, and with what? Blow-up?—”
I started laughing, prompting her to join in without saying anything more. “I don’t think I want to know, and if the guys are dealing with blow-up anything, they’re sure to be miserable on this trip. No, I think they’re having a wonderful time hiking and doing guy stuff. If not, you know Jake and Collin. They would’ve already snuck back to us.”
“That’s true,” Laney said.
We walkedinto Laney’s villa first, and I covered my mouth in shock.
“Oh, my gosh. Look at that gingerbread house,” I said in disbelief. “It looks like a sandcastle version of the North Pole.” I ran my fingers over the gumdrops and sugar-crusted roof, “This is incredible.”
