Coworkers, page 8
“I've heard that a lot from many clients.” Sarah told her, giving her a smile.
“Could you tell me how long it's going to take for you to get your station ready?” Melody asked her, looking at her watch and knowing that she needed to be home shortly.
“It will only take a few minutes. I will call you outback when I am done.” Sarah told her, giving her a smile as she disappeared to get her station ready for Melody.
Sarah got out the massaging table and put the oils on the table. She made sure she had the towels ready and she laid down the sheet on top of the massaging table. She went back out to the front and saw that Melody was still standing there.
“I'm ready for you now.” Sarah told her, watching as Melody walked around the desk and she led her to the massaging room.
“How long have you been opened?” Melody asked, looking around the room and seeing that there was a flat screen on the wall and when she looked up at the ceiling there were autumn leaves etched into the tiles.
“I have been here for a year now. As far as when I open it's always eight in the morning until six at night unless I have clients that come in.” Sara told her, opening up the lavender lotion first and watching as Melody sat there.
“Now would be the time to use the dressing room. There's a white robe in there so you can change in there, hang your clothing up.” Sarah said to her lightly, rubbing her hands together making sure they were lathered with oil and that her.
Melody went into the dressing room and closed the door behind her. She quickly got undressed and put the robe on, she didn't want to hold Sarah up where she was the only client there. She was lucky that Sarah was still open. She didn't know anyone who worked after five at night.
Melody came out with a soft, white, robe that was tightly loosely around her. The robe came down right before her knees and she got on the table seeing that Sarah was ready for her.
“Roll over on your stomach, I will start with your back and legs first.” Sarah instructed her, watching as Melody laid down on the massage table and slowly undid the tie around the robe so that she could take it down, slowly bringing it down to her waist and leaving it there.
“So where do you work?” Sarah asked, she always tried to make her clients relaxed while they got a massage. Having them talk about their day and what they had done.
“I am a lawyer.” Melody told her with a soft giggle.
“Wow, that's pretty good. Do you have your own law firm?” Sarah had many people in there to see her.
Dentists, secretaries and construction workers. She had never had a lawyer though. Melody was keeping her interest.
“What are you a lawyer for?” Sarah asked as she began rubbing down her shoulders with her hands, massaging the oil into her and seeing that Melody was tense, her muscles were stiff and she could see that she was in need of a massage.
“Criminal law.” Melody sighed and relaxed her body, closing her eyes she had a smile on her face. She loved how soft Sarah's hands were when she was rubbing the oil into her skin.
“Great, so you deal with bank robbers and small things like that?” Sarah laughed, adding more oil to her hands and moving down to the middle of Melody's back.
“Something like that, I go out of state a lot when they need my help on big cases. Cases that I can't talk about.” Melody told her before Sarah could ask her what they were about.
“Oh. So you must be really good then.” Sarah told her, lowering her robe down so that she could massage her lower back.
“Yes. I have been working for the firm for a while now. I am going to open up my own soon. Then I will be making my own money and working for myself. Who made you decide that you should open up a massaging business?” Melody asked, figuring she could ask questions getting to know Sarah the way Sarah was getting to know her.
“I did. My husband and I were going to do it together. Then we split up and everything went south from there. I thought that I couldn't do it on my own but I went to school for business and then I got some loans from the bank.” Sarah shrugged her shoulders when Melody looked over her shoulder so that she could look at Sarah.
“Things happen but I'm doing it on my own and I'm actually liking it a lot better now then what I thought I would have in the beginning.” Sarah pulled the robe away from her completely and began working on the bottom half of her body.
By the time that Sarah was done working on her she they realized that they had some of the same friends. That they went to the same coffee shop as each other in the mornings just at different times and they were always at the gym in town. Something that neither one had known about each other until then.
“So are we going to meet up for coffee tomorrow morning before we head to work?” Melody asked her, kidding around at first.
“If you want to show up around seven I can meet you for coffee.” Sarah nodded her head. Hoping to see her.
“Good. Sounds good to me.” Melody agreed with her, paying her bill and giving Sarah an extra ten dollars for a tip.
“Thanks. You didn't have to do that.” Sarah shook her head, trying to give the money back to her but Melody refused to take it back.
“You've worked really hard for it and I don't give tips easily.” Melody winked at her and laughed, walking out the door and waving good by to her.
Sarah waved and smiled back at her as she opened the register and put the money inside. Locking the door as soon as Melody left the parking lot and putting the 'Sorry We're Closed' sign in the window before she went back and put her money that she got from Melody in along with her tip.
Chapter 2
Sarah got home when it was completely dark. The street lights were on and as she pulled into her driveway and she could see that her neighbors lights were off across the street and beside her. She was tired as well but she thought that it was really good that Melody had come into the massage parlor. Sarah had made a new friend and the more she thought about it the more she realized in the back of her own mind that Melody was good looking and she hoped that she was going to see a lot of Melody in the new future.
Sarah fell asleep thinking about Melody and she couldn't wait to meet up with her again in the morning. Hoping that they would become closer friends with one another. She was hoping that maybe Melody would ask her if she wanted to hang out more and more as they got to know one another.
Early the next morning Sarah got up to her alarm at five. She got showered and put on her black slacks and white button up shirt before she grabbed something to eat. Looking at the clock every few seconds she couldn't believe how slow the time was going that morning now that she had a new friend. She didn't want to show up too early and she didn't want to be late but she still wanted to be there before Melody was.
The coffee shop was right around the corner for her massage parlor so she didn't have to drive that far to meet up with Melody.
When Sarah got there she didn't see Melody so she took a booth in the front where she could look out the window. The sun was shining brightly and there wasn't a cloud in the blue sky. She thought that Melody had forgotten about coffee and was ready to leave herself when Melody walked into the coffee shop with an apologetic smile.
“Very sorry I'm late. My damn alarm didn't go off this morning. I hope you weren't waiting long.” Melody told her, sitting down across from her.
“No. Not long at all.” Sarah told her, giving her a small smile.
Sarah looked Melody over and saw that she was wearing a business suit. She had a black bag with her as well.
“Gearing up for a court case today. Have to make sure that I have everything I need.” Melody told her, feeling her face growing warm when Sarah looked her over.
“You look great. Are you ready to get coffee?” Sarah asked her, getting up from the booth and going to the front of the line to order her coffee.
Melody was right behind her and they happened to order the same thing. They both ordered black coffee with two sugars. Another thing that they had in common with one another.
“I want to wish you luck on your court case today.” Sarah told her when they walked back to their booth and sat down for a few minutes.
“Thanks. I'm going to need it I think. We are going for custody of two children. Two children that belong with their dad and that's who we are fighting for.” Melody didn't give many details of the case and Sarah didn't expect her to but Sarah was glad that she was fighting for the good guys.
“I am hoping to have a lot of customer's today. It helps to make the day go by faster.” Sarah took a sip from her coffee and felt the hotness burn her tongue.
“Do you do in home massages as well?” Melody asked her, seeing a confused look on Sarah's face.
“Like do you set up appointments and go to their houses or is it just there in the parlor?” Melody asked, explaining her question.
“Sometimes I go to the customer but I haven't for a while.” Sarah stated, she liked having her customer's go to her. She always felt too weird going to their house never knowing what she was walking into.
“For some reason if I don't get out of work until late and your closed would you come to my house for me?” Melody asked softly, not wanting everyone to hear what she had to say.
The coffee shop was full and she wanted to make sure that their conversation stayed between them as she leaned in closer to Sarah.
“Of course I can. I mean you're not a complete stranger. There have been times I have gone to a strangers house before and it just wasn't good.” Sarah shook her head and took another sip of her coffee seeing the shocked look on Melody's face.
“Oh. I would never ask you if I hadn't come in last night. I don't think that I would have the nerve to.” Melody shook her head back and forth firmly.
“I know, I wouldn't be able to do it again for a stranger. Close friends and family sure.” Sarah told her, looking at the clock and seeing that she was going to be late opening up the parlor.
“I am going to be late.” Melody's eyes grew wide when she realized the time herself. She was seldom late and she didn't want to make it a habit now.
“What are you doing after work?” Sarah asked, not wanting to stop talking. She was having a good time with Melody.
“I don't know yet. I will stop in and see you after work if you are open though.” Melody grinned at her when she saw that Sarah was trying to find a way to hang out with her again.
“I'll be open. If not then I will see you tomorrow morning right here.” Sarah smiled, getting up from the booth and walking Melody to her car.
They said their goodbye's and Sarah headed to her car as Melody started her own car and pulled out of the parking lot.
Melody felt good that she had a friend that she could talk with and confide it already. She trusted Sarah and she could see that they had a lot in common. Melody had friends but they were co-workers. She was getting tired of talking about the same things day in and day out.
Talking about opinions of the judges and the people in the court room. Their clients and how they didn't always take their advice which made it harder on them as the lawyers to try and find a loop hole if their clients talked too much about the case to family and friends. Sometimes talk turned into gossip and if it reached the wrong set of ears than the lawyer taking care of the case could have a late night trying to fix the error and finding ways to make it right again.
This was something different for Melody and it was something that she enjoyed. She enjoyed talking with Sarah because it was different and out of routine.
Sarah was ten minutes late opening the massage parlor and she had some clients waiting outside. She gave them a small smile as she unlocked the doors and flipped the sign over to 'Open'. Though she was smiling at them she couldn't believe that she had made herself late. It wasn't like her to be late and on the only day she was late she had clients lined up, which wasn't a bad thing but she didn't want them thinking that if she was late for work herself than she wasn't the best mas sagest in town.
Sarah greeted her clients when they walked in through the door. She was glad that they were all walk ins seeing that the ones who had scheduled appointments wouldn't be in until later that day.
“Sorry folks I'm running a little behind this morning. My alarm didn't go off.” Sarah told them, hearing them laughing at her little joke.
“It happens to the best of us believe it or not. I was late yesterday morning for one of my appointments and by the time I got there they had already left.” A bald headed man said, sitting down in a chair as he grabbed a magazine.
“What do you do for work?” Sarah asked him as she began making coffee in the coffee pot and setting out danishes for them.
“I'm a dentist. I am from out of town today and since it's my day off I figured I would come and see what your parlor is all about. I've heard good things about it from friends who live right here in town.” The man grinned at her.
“Great. What's your name?” Sarah asked him, putting him on the top of the list.
“Al. I'm looking for a shoulder and neck massage. I hurt myself a few weeks ago and my doctor told me that I should have it massaged out to start with and then if I'm still hurting then I should go back to him. I've had x-rays done but it doesn't show any serious injury.” Al explained to her, seeing the look of confusion in her eyes.
Sarah nodded her head, that was the second time that someone had caught her with a confused expression on her face. She blushed slightly and she watched him smile at her.
“Well Al, if you would come with me it will only take a half hour for your neck and shoulder massage and we will see if we can't take away the aches and pains for you.” Sarah told him, watching him come around the desk and go down a small hallway with her.
Sarah loved it when she got new clients from out of town. It was different and exciting to her since she didn't get out much. Her life was work and home most times and it felt as if she traveled when her clients opened up to her. Sometimes she would comment on a place they had been and question them about it. Hoping that the client would come back.
Sarah had five regulars during the week and today was the day that all five of them were coming in. The afternoon appointments that she was glad she wasn't late for. She was going to skip lunch so that she could take more clients, her punishment for being late herself.
When she was done with Al he thanked her and gave her the price of the massage. She didn't get a tip but she couldn't ask for one where she was late, she was really beating herself up over it when lunch time rolled around and she didn't have any customer's in the parlor.
Sarah went out back and cleaned up, waiting for her afternoon appointments. Something to look forward to. They were the same five clients that had come in on opening day. The five that had really started giving her the confidence that she could do this on her own. She couldn't let negligence get in the way of that.
She heard the bell ring out front and she quickly went out to see who it was. She was hoping that it was going to be Melody but it wasn't. Though she had a smile on her face she had a sinking feeling in her stomach. Wondering what Melody was doing she was sure that Melody didn't have time to take off for lunch not with the case she had that day. Sarah reminded herself that Melody was probably busier than she was. Being a lawyer was a big deal and she was sure she had clients herself left and right and more added on everyday.
“How can I help you?” Sarah asked the thin, short, woman standing at the front desk.
“I hate to bother you, I'm on lunch break and I'm going to need a quick neck massage. I only have a half hour.” The lady told her without smiling back at her.
“Sure, not a problem. I just got done cleaning up. I can give you a fifteen minute one. That will be twenty dollars.” Sarah saw that it was a woman who wasn't looking for conversation and she could tell that she was in a hurry.
“Thanks so much Sarah. My name is Julie.” The woman squinted looking at the name tag on Sarah's shirt.
“Nice to meet you Julie. Right this way please.” Sarah told her, leading her to the back room and seeing that the woman was walking rather quickly behind her. Sarah didn't realize just how much of a hurry Julie was in.
The second they got into the massage room Julie jumped up on the table and sat there. Her black hair was put up in a bun, her long, blue, fingernails were freshly done and it looked as if she had a job as a secretary.
“Do you not take lunch break? I was surprised that you were open.” Julie told her, looking at the clock and seeing it was five minutes after noon.
“I do, today I was just running a little behind. When I came to open shop there were three clients already waiting outside for me. I felt bad and decided that I would stay open on my lunch break. I don't know if it was to make me feel better about myself or to wait and see if anyone was going to come in.” Sarah laughed, shaking her head. She thought she sounded silly but Julie didn't laugh with her.
“I'm glad that you stayed open. Relieved actually. Don't be so hard on yourself, we are all late for something or another. You're not the first.” Julie told her in a gentle voice when she took her shirt off and felt Sarah's hands on the back of her neck.
Julie could smell the lilac oil on her neck and she loved how Sarah was kneading her lower neck and shoulders. Surprised that Sarah knew where to start off.
“That feels really good, much better than how I've been feeling lately. Better than the last week for sure.” Julie told her in a surprised voice.
“Thanks. I took classes on this. So I'm a professional I guess.” Sarah giggled and this time Julie laughed.
After fifteen minutes were up Julie got her shirt back on and walked out of the room with Sarah right behind her.
“Here's a little something for yourself too. You really helped me out today. I guess it was my lucky day.” Julie told her, putting two twenties down on the desk and walked out of the massage parlor before Sarah could call her back.
Sarah felt better about herself when Julie had left. All it took was one compliment from a client and that compliment had lifted her spirits. Julie didn't know what a joy Sarah thought she had been, making her feel human again.
