Page 76 of Pleasure Island
26
Mila
Chaoswas the proper way to define how the past few weeks of my life had gone.
I was traveling back and forth between the island and New York City as I wound down my practice there. I was trying to help my current clients find new therapists that met their needs although, for some of them, I knew I’d probably continue to see them on and off for the next little while.
That was what happened when you offered a rathernicheservice like what I had built my practice on. A few of them were disappointed, but upon hearing my reason, they all seemed to understand.
When I wasn’t traveling, I was busy incorporating a form of the sessions I specialized in into the amenities offered by the resort. I wouldn’t be able to offer the kind of one-on-one sessions I’d offered in private practice, but I still felt it was something I could do that would help couples be happier together. So far, I’d come up with several various workshops.
My first one was this afternoon, and I had two couples I’d be working with. We were talkingerotic massageon this one – something nice and easy until I was used to working in a different sort of arena.
Two couples weren’t exactly a full classroom, but since I was used to working with people one-on-one – or one-on-two – this would be a nice way to get my feet wet, so to speak.
As the session wore on, I found myself relaxing and settling more comfortably into my new role. I was more of a teacher now than a therapist.
As my clients – or students – switched roles, the masseuse switching to be on the receiving end, I paced back to my seat up front and grabbed a bottle of water.
Tension at the base of my neck reminded me thatIcould benefit from the skills of a good masseuse, something I’d have to look into before the tension turned into a mother of a headache.
“Okay…now. Back to the basics,” I said once I saw that everybody was ready.
* * *
Millie came insideas the last of my couples left the bungalow I’d been given to use for my workshops.
She looked around, taking her time as she took in the changes I’d made.
This particular building had been used for various other functions, but it suited my needs so I planned on making this my permanent spot for workshops in the future.
“How are things going?” Millie asked, a smile on her face as she approached me. “You’re so busy, I rarely see you, and you live here now.”
“I’m still making adjustments,” I told her, shrugging. “And I won’t be traveling back and forth between here and the city forever. I just have to get my clients settled first. I can’t really just abandon them.”
“Of course you can’t.” Millie shook her head in agreement. “Any regrets about your decision to come here?”
“No.” I smiled at her, determined not to think about the one small regret I had – Liam. I hadn’t seen him in over three weeks, and I had no idea if I’d ever see him again.
You made the right move, I told myself.
“Do you have any other sessions set up for today?” Millie asked, unaware of my distraction.
“No. It’s going to be a little slow as we get me acclimated to working in this sort of environment. It’s not really therapy that I’m doing anymore. It’s teaching, and we’ve got to get me into the regular schedule of events.” I made a face. “Which will be easier once I’m not traveling as much, but I hope this will only last for a few months.”
“It’s not a concern,” Millie said, waving a hand. “You had a busy life in the city, responsibilities. I appreciate the fact that you’re trying to honor those responsibilities even as you’re helping out an old woman.”
“Oh, hush.” I went to her and hugged her close.
She squeezed me back, then eased away, pacing a few feet away. “We both know there’s going to be an adjustment period as you settle in here to take over. And I’ll be here until you’re ready to be without me.”
“That will be never.” I stuck my tongue out at her.
“Okay, untilIthink you’re ready to be without me. I am slowing down, though, Mila. It’s time.”
“I understand.” And I did. I was just now starting to understand how much work went into running the resort. Even though Millie had a great staff on hand, she had wanted to keep an active role in the day-to-day functions of the resort.
“So.” Millie clapped her hands together and spun to face me, beaming. “Sometimes when you’re running a place like this, you have to be ready to accommodate some…changes in the schedule. Some shake-ups, if you will. And I’m about to deliver your first shake-up.”
