Chapter 3 #2
He went on to sweep and talk to the growers of late summer peaches and tomatoes.
As he approached another stand, heavenly scents of dough and sugar filled the air.
They’d recently allowed bakers and candy makers into their co-op.
When he reached one, he found Jeannie there.
They’d met in the middle. “This smells like heaven,” she said.
“I wholly agree.”
“Here, taste this.” The baker set out a plate of fried sugared dough for customers to sample.
Jeannie and Joe each picked a small one. The dough was deliciously warm and the sugar on the outside was sweet as all get out. “That’s the best cookie I’ve ever had.”
The woman behind the stands said, “I fully agree.” Then she introduced herself.
“I’m Joe Larson. I’m helping out a bit, but I’m coming back for bread and some more of that before I leave.”
“Pick out what you want now and I’ll save it for you.”
“I’ll do that.” He chose the sugar dough and some crusty bread then splurged on caramels that Seth liked. Then he spotted the fudge.
What’s your favorite food?
Fudge.
What kind?
Chocolate and walnuts.
He wanted to buy some for Scarlet so much he ached with it. But he’d stayed away from her since Seth came home and he wouldn’t go see her. Not even to bring her fudge.
Jeannie said, “I’m heading over to the counter to check some forms. I could use some help.”
“Right behind you.”
When they reached the counter, she clicked into something on her laptop. “I need to add new vendors like you and their products. I’m checking if they have insurance.”
When they finished up, she turned to him. “So. Would you and your son like to come over for dinner tonight? I have two boys.”
He glanced back at the fudge. “I’m afraid we can’t. It’s his first day in a new school and he was anxious about it. I think we’ll need a low-key night.”
“Maybe another time.”
“Maybe.”
* * *
Scarlet walked up to the Winsome Spa located about twenty minutes from her house.
She’d head out to the collective afterward but she’d seen the school bus pull onto the road and she needed the distraction so she didn’t drive right up to Joe’s farmhouse.
Luckily, she’d arranged this presentation.
And she wanted to extend her clientele outside of the collective.
The structure was made of tan brick with white trim.
The front wall was all windows and discretely covered with sheer white curtains which diffused the sunlight and offered partial privacy.
Inside, the colors of the walls matched the outside and peach couches flanked a fireplace made of the same brick as the exterior.
Scents of lotions, soaps and creams filled the air.
A beautifully made-up woman with styled hair stood behind a desk. Scarlet wished she’s spent more time on her appearance, using more cosmetics than the blush and raisin lipstick she’d applied. At least her pink dress was tailored and silky. And she wore heels.
The woman’s smile was warm and genuine. “Good morning, Ms. Smith. I’m Tara and I’ll show you to the room.”
“Thank you. And good morning to you, too.”
The back of the spa consisted of several rooms, probably for massages and facials and makeup.
The woman knocked on one door, then opened it.
Inside, Scarlet found ten women and four men seated in chairs facing the front.
The manager, Jolene Jackson, greeted her in the same manner as the receptionist. She too was similarly put together.
And this room also sported sheer covered windows.
“Ms. Smith, thank you so much for coming. This is our group of workshop attendees who’ve chosen to learn about hypnotherapy today.” Scarlet knew the spa offered sessions on a variety of alternative medicine topics and was known for vetting their attendees.
She crossed to a table at the front and set down her laptop. “Hello, everyone. If you have questions or comments, you should address me as Scarlet.”
“Did your mother like Gone With the Wind?” a man called out.
She had to gulp back the emotion. She could hear Joe tease her in the same way when they first met. God, that seemed like eons ago.
Smiling through the pain the question elicited, she said, “You know, it’s surprising how many people ask me that. The answer is no. Scarlet is a family name.”
Jolene said, “Scarlet, why don’t you give us a brief overview of what hypnotherapy is and the philosophy behind it.”
Scarlet used her usual introduction. “Hypnotherapy is a process where clients go into a state of heightened focus, then go into trance. The clients are awake and aware the whole time; however, as they sink deeper into the trance, the unconscious mind takes over the conversation. Hypnotherapy is valuable in treating anxiety, depression, stress, and pain management. As for my qualifications…” She went on to enumerate her training and experience.
Someone raised his hand. “Yes, sir.”
“The actual practice is still fuzzy to me.”
“I know how to make this clearer if one of you is open to being the client. A demonstration usually works the best.”
Several hands shot up. “How about you, sir?” she said to the one who asked the question.
He winked at her. “I’d love to be your guinea pig.”
Oh, no, another flirt. “Come on up.” After he was seated, and she set up her computer, she asked, “What’s your name?”
“Conrad.”
She addressed the group. “First, we’ll start relaxing the body. In hypnosis, the client is deeply relaxed but still in full control…”
When he was fully under, she demonstrated the process. When he returned to full alertness, she said to the group, “In a real session, we’d discuss here the things we unearthed as causing him anxiety.”
Conrad said, “And by talking about them?”
“That’s the therapy. To uncover the problem and discuss solutions.”
She faced the group. “So, is hypnotherapy clearer to you?”
They gave a chorus of yeses.
She was pleased with her success and after she bade the group goodbye, she was packing up her materials when someone walked back into the room.
“Conrad, did you forget something?”
“Yes.” He crossed to her and sat on the edge of her desk close to her. Too close to her. “Let’s go on a date, honey. I can show you a good time.”
Scarlet had been hit on before, but not in one of her classes. “Get off the desk, Conrad.”
“Not until you agree.”
“For one, you’re being way too aggressive. And second, I don’t date people I meet in class. It’s unprofessional.”
“Come on. You’re into hypnosis. You have to be liberal and maybe even a little wild.” His tone got sleazy.
She picked up her things, swung the computer bag over her shoulder, then moved in closer to him. And sank the point of her heel into his instep.