Loving It

Being a love counselor was different than what Nancy had thought it would be.

“Your new job as a love counselor is to offer its healing embrace to the lonely, downtrodden, broken lost souls searching and wandering lives without meaning.” The words barely passed through one ear and out the other of Nancy’s head. All she was thinking about was how being a love counselor would be easy money. Her new job was legal, more socially accepted than being a ‘massage therapist’ and would be fun while playing with customers' heads.

“All right, people. The door is open for business. Let’s make those customers happy so they spread the word and bring more in.” Henry slapped his hands together, rocked back on his heels, and smiled at the fresh meat flashing their discount coupons as they lined up at the front desk. “Nancy? A word with you please.”

“Yes, boss.” What was it now? She’d been honest about her past history, her trouble with the law. Was he going to jerk her job away before it even started? She followed him back to his office, her eyes darting at the red lights glowing above the client room doors already filling up with promises of fantasy fulfilled.

“Sit.”

“On the floor?” Was this some kind of come-on? Nancy caught the pillow thrown to her, nerves suddenly on full alert. Was this the secret behind the secret of her new occupation? Making the boss happy by coming across?

It startled her when Henry took another cushion, threw it down, and sat on it facing Nancy. “It’s called the lotus position used during meditation. I want you to feel the love emptying your mind can bring. Sit. Don’t say a word, just listen to me.”

Nancy sat, took a few deep breaths like her boss was doing, and relaxed. If this was the hook for opening wallets the job would be easier than she’d expected. Once again, she let her boss’s words slip into one ear and out the other. Instead of numbing out, she began floating deeper inside herself, her mind devoid of thought felt an openness and connection with the melodic sound of Henry’s voice.

“Good.” Henry clapped his hands together, indicating whatever had just happened was done. “Go get them, tiger.”

How had an hour gone by so quickly? Nancy thought as she checked her watch.

“Remember that one word. Mindfulness. Use it as your key to connecting with the open hearted love you feel within yourself and what you share with your customers. Let me know how it went before you leave today.”

The day went like a blur. Eyes met eyes, Shared slow breathing brought connection. Hands offered soothing relaxation with their touch. Nancy wasn’t the one having sex. It was sometimes no-one, other times it was a customer practicing with another client that such intimacy naturally evolved with Nancy looking on, humming the shared mantra whispering through her headset.

“Hey, boss.”

“Henry.”

“Henry. Here’s your half of the tips. Almost a thousand dollars in one day. Not bad,” Nancy grinned.

“You’re a natural.” Henry said, pointing to the cushions on the floor. “I find that doing is the best way to learn something new. Thinking about it comes easier later. Let’s talk. And see where it takes us.”

Nancy liked the warm feel of the extra money in her pocket as she took her position across from Henry. The words they shared stayed between her ears as they interacted, talking about her day. “Good on that. Customers come in with unrealistic expectations. Setting boundaries is an art that works better when an emotional connection is established. No pressure, just a quick mental block released through eye contact is all it usually takes showing we’re not going there.”

“It’s a kind of body language. I get it.” And Nancy did. It was kind of like flirting, but wasn’t. It was a way of connecting with each other as well as connecting with your inner self.

“I love you for showing me this.” Nancy leaned forward into their shy and gentle first kiss. Boundaries would take care of themselves.

WC 677