“GRAN, ARE YOU sure you don’t want me to pick you up?”
Carolyn tried to keep the frustration out of her voice. “Suzi, I’ll be fine. You really need to stop worrying about me so much.”
“Well, you can’t really blame me.”
“I had a hard time when your grandfather died. I think that is a lovely statement about what we shared. I still miss him every day, but I’ve decided to move on with my life. I can’t very well sit and wait to die. I’ve got a lot of living left to do.”
“You don’t know how much it means to me to hear you say that.”
“I’m glad. Now, I’ll be there on time. Don’t you and Barry be late! I have an appointment in the area when we’re done.”
“A doctor appointment?”
“Don’t be silly. I have an appointment at the spa. I’m having a facial, mani-pedi, my eyebrows shaped. As we speak, they are warming a mind-boggling amount of wax. Would you like to hear about the details?”
“I can imagine.”
“Can you? Well then, good. I won’t bore you with the details. See you in a little bit.”
Anna was already at Carolyn’s condo. It had been listed as a loft, but the only nod to being a loft was that the ducting was exposed. One more thing to dust. There was also a bit of brick. The floors were a Brazilian hardwood. The counters granite. The bedrooms had beige Berber carpet. Even Carolyn had to admit the surroundings, while beautiful, were a bit bland. She liked her modern furniture, mostly because it was a leather recreation of what she had back in the fifties. The view was good. Even in this market the condo had held its value, there was enough room for the occasional guest or two, and the whole condo wasn’t too much to handle. All in all she’d made an excellent decision when she’d purchased it.
The roads between Anna’s house and Carolyn’s condo were now second nature to both of them. With Adeline staying at the condo until they returned from their vacation it seemed to be the most logical meeting spot.
Anna and Adeline were going to have breakfast at Barbara’s Brownies and Baked Goods — just down the street from the spa — while Carolyn had breakfast with her granddaughter Suzi. Adeline was in the mood for a ham croissant, and Anna had her heart set on a chocolate éclair.
Carolyn put her phone in her purse and joined them in the living room. “I’m off to meet my granddaughter. I will meet you at Spa Berman’s at ten.”
Anna smiled. “I’ve booked us each a massage along with everything else, so we should be ready for anything when we get on that plane tomorrow. Are you packed?”
“I am. I even brought that bathing suit you insisted I purchase, although I’m quite sure I will never put it on.”
Anna smiled. “That’s okay. It doesn’t take up much space.”
“Precisely the problem.”
The women laughed as they headed out the door.
“Gran! You look great.”
“Thank you, dear.”
“No, I mean you really look great. I haven’t seen you look this great since that big anniversary party Mom and Dad had. The one when Dad got drunk and Mom got mad and you and Grandpa started a conga line — or was it the chicken dance? — to keep the whole thing from imploding.”
“Chicken dance?”
“I guess it was a conga line.”
“Anything in a pinch, dear. Shall we get a table? There’s one right there for three.”
“Oh, I thought we might want to sit by the window. In a booth.”
“I’m sure that would be better. Oh, look, there’s your brother. What a coincidence.”
Suzi waved at A.J. like a mad woman.
“Should I ask him to join us?”
“Please.” Carolyn was almost successful in hiding her smile.
The server escorted them to a booth once A.J. arrived.
They were looking at their menus when Carolyn said, “Suzi, I couldn’t be happier that you and Barry are moving back to town. I’ve missed you both.”
Barry blurted out, “We’re having a baby.”
As the wind escaped his sister, A.J. gave her an encouraging smile.
Carolyn jumped to her feet and gave each of them a hug. “You will be a wonderful mother, Suzi. Barry, congratulations. Congratulations, Uncle A.J.”
The news out, they ate quickly. The celebration had taken a different tone when Barry blurted the news; most of the joy had effectively been skimmed from the celebration, and all that was left was a mixture of annoyance and defeat. Feelings rare in Carolyn’s life. The two men excused themselves as soon as their plates were cleared and headed off to work.
“So, tell me, Suzi, what’s really going on?”
“What?”
“It’s not my place to intrude, but I’ve the feeling the bloom is off the rose.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that you and Barry do not appear to be at all happy.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. We’re just trying to get moved, and he has all this pressure at work because of the transition. I don’t think that this area was actually his first choice.”
“Well, I certainly hope you didn’t come back on my account. You don’t need to worry about me or, worse, feel that you have to take care of me.”
“I wish I could lie and say that we came because of you, Gran. You’ve always taken care of me and A.J. But that isn’t what happened. Barry made the final decision. We came here because he decided it was the best place for advancement. He wants to be on the fast track, and he thinks his best chance is here.”
“I’m happy to hear it, but, Suze, what’s really going on?”
“Well, it’s been stressful. He works all the time. We never see each other.”
“My dear, you must have seen each other at least once in the last few weeks.” Carolyn winked at her granddaughter.
“Gran! I can’t believe you said that.”
Suzi’s deep red blush made Carolyn laugh all the harder.
“Suze, you know that if you ever need anything, anything at all, you can come to me.”
“Of course. Gran, don’t worry. We’re fine. Every marriage has a rough spot now and then.”
“That’s true, but it’s a little soon. Your marriage is still measured in weeks or months, not years. You have a good attitude. Most young people run at the first bump in the road. The world is full of disposable everything. Still. If you need me.”
“It’s fine. I’m fine. We’re fine. And we’re having a baby.” Suzi beamed. “Your first great-grandchild.”
“Have you told your parents yet?”
“Before telling you? Never.”
“Well, I’m sure they will be thrilled.”
“I’m sure they will want to be called Aunt Deena and Uncle Charlie. Mom will swear she isn’t old enough to be a grandmother. It will be one of those stupid Glam’ma stories you hear about.”
“Dear, if your mother is such a fool that she cannot enjoy the gift of a grandchild, then it is her loss. I will tell you truly, my grandchildren are the very best thing that has ever happened to me, with the possible exception of your grandfather. I’ve enjoyed every moment of being your grandmother, and I can’t imagine what a pleasure it will be to enjoy your child. I can’t begin to communicate just how excited I am.”
“Thank you. I’m glad somebody besides me is excited.”
“What does that mean?”
“Oh, nothing. I just don’t think Mom will be excited.”
“Well, I’m sure that Barry is over the moon. Cara will be beside herself. I’m sure your brother has never been happier.”
“A.J. and Cara have been so sweet. I’m thinking about having them stand up for the baby in church.”
“That sounds like a lovely idea.”
“Gran, I’ve gotta go. I have a million things to do today. Did I tell you? I think I got my old job back.”
“Are you sure you want to work for that man again? He was somewhat inconsistent.”
“It’ll only be a few months before I’m on maternity leave, and who else would hire a pregnant woman? I plan to waddle as soon as possible.”
It was good to hear Suzi laugh.
“If there’s anything at all you need, you call me. I’ve filled the pantry and fridge for your stay at the condo. By the time we get back from Hawaii, Adeline will be moving into her rental place. You and Barry are welcome to stay at the condo for just as long as you please.”
“Thanks, Gran. Barry is insistent on finding a house. A big one. I’m not sure this is the best time to be buying property. How do we even know we will be here for more than a few months? We thought we were going to be in the last place for years, and we’re already here. It’s not like Barry is settled in his job. Shouldn’t we at least wait long enough to see if he likes his new position? If Barry doesn’t like it, doesn’t matter what it is, he isn’t going to stick around.” Suzi took a deep breath and shook her head just a little. “But once Barry makes up his mind, there’s not a lot anyone can do to change it.”
“I’m sure the two of you know best, you’ll work it out, but the offer stands.”
“Thanks, Gran. I’ll call you tonight.”
“I’ll look forward to it. The car is picking us up early in the morning, and we’ll be back on the twenty-seventh. We have a layover in Las Vegas, just a couple of days, but we’re looking forward to seeing some of the shows and maybe a trip out to Hoover Dam. Suze, had I known you would be back in town such a short time I would have made other arrangements.”
“Don’t be silly, Gran. You go. Have a great time. We’ll get together when you get back. You can help me find a house.”
A quick hug, and they parted ways.
Carolyn drove past Barbara’s Brownies to make sure Anna’s car was not in the lot. She had anticipated a longer celebration. Now that she thought about it, breakfast couldn’t really be considered a celebration at all. Barry saw to that. Hopefully, he wouldn’t be one of those childish, insecure males that can’t relinquish a bit of Suzi’s attention and becomes jealous of an innocent child. She felt guilty about her negative feelings about Barry. She’d once felt he was a godsend, but lately there was something dark about him, and she just couldn’t put her finger on it.
Not seeing the car in the bakery lot, she took the most direct route to the spa, hitting every green light on the way. Some days life gets better as the minutes tick by.
She found the girls in the foyer of the spa, accepting goblets of orange juice from a pretty brunette.
“I was right. I’m going to be a great-grandmother.”
The girls said all the right words. The pretty brunette gave the politically correct response: “You? A great-grandmother? I just don’t see it.”
The girls passed a knowing look.
The brunette caught it. “I know that’s what I’m supposed to say, but I actually mean it. Look at you. You’re gorgeous. You have beautiful skin. Your eyes are bright. Your hair is healthy, although it could use a good conditioning to bring the shine level up some and a few low lights would frame your face and boost your eye color. You have a beautiful smile — we have a teeth-whitening service that would take five years off your look — but you could turn around and walk right out of here just the way you are and ask anyone passing on the street, and they wouldn’t believe for a minute that you’re going to be a great-grandmother.”
Carolyn laughed. “Sold! Do you have time for those treatments?”
Anna shook her head. “Don’t you want your teeth bleached by a dentist?”
The brunette jumped in, “Oh, we don’t bleach teeth. We whiten them. There are no bleaching agents in our system at all. It is one hundred percent natural. There’s no pain. There’s no sensitivity. It not only cleans your teeth and whitens them, but it keeps them white longer. It actually protects your teeth. Takes off the stain, coats the teeth, and even gives you fresh breath. We give you a three-piece kit to maintain your beautiful smile once you’ve left the spa.”
The girls exchanged a look.
Undeterred the brunette continued, “I’ll tell you what. Why don’t I have one of our consultants meet with each of you right now? He or she can create a treatment program that will address all of your needs. Then you can decide which, if any, of the treatments you want today and which treatments you’ll come back for.”
Anna quizzed. “Come back for?”
“Well, I see here that you have come in for a full leg wax. Wouldn’t it be better to have laser hair removal done, and then you wouldn’t have to wax anymore?”
Caroline took her turn with questions. “So, if I get laser hair removal, the hair is gone, and I never have to wax or shave again?”
“Unfortunately, that’s not the case. What it will do is reduce the number of hairs that grow. For most of our clients, that is about an eighty percent reduction. Some of our clients have repeated programs and eventually have a virtually hair-free surface. Oh, and I should mention that the process is not single visit. It takes repeated visits to destroy the hair in all of its growing phases.”
Anna asked, “Will that work on my skin?”
“The best outcome is for someone with light skin and dark hair. As the hair gets lighter or the skin gets darker, the outcome is less ideal.”
Anna smiled. “Then I think I’ll skip that one. Thank you for your honesty”
The brunette smiled. “Oh, we want the best outcome for each of our clients. If we don’t think that a treatment is optimal for you, we will give you our honest opinion and let you decide. Our goal is to create a relationship with you that will have you come back time after time and, equally important, for you to become an ambassador by your appearance and by your opinion of your experiences here.”
Adeline winked. “You have my business. I don’t know how long you have been working here, but I hope the owner knows just what a valuable asset you are.”
The brunette smiled. “Oh, she knows. I’m the owner.”
Anna laughed. “Either I’m getting older, or young people are just looking younger every day.”
The brunette laughed, squeezing Anna’s arm. “It’s us. Actually, for me it’s mostly genes. My mom gets asked all the time if she’s my sister, and people are not just being kind. I really want to use Mom in a commercial — she’s beautiful and ageless — but that would just be wrong. Although she really enjoys all of our treatments, she would be just as stunning without any of them. But let’s stay focused on you.”
The girls allowed themselves to be herded into consultation rooms, where each would be given the hard sell, gently.
The consultations were thorough, quick, and painless.
The girls learned that the spa was full-service, and by the Berman definition, that meant they would address your whole life — mind, body, spirit, and fashion.
There was an area of the spa dedicated to fitness, both physical and emotional, including everything from yoga to nutrition. There was an area for classes, from meditation to makeup. There was an area of the spa for hairstyles and another for on-trend clothing.
The brochures the girls had perused on the kitchen table were meant for local folks, but the spa actually had arrangements with a nearby five-star hotel where clients could stay, and many of the services provided were available at the hotel upon request.
The treatment rooms were decorated with an Asian flair. Bamboo mats decorated the wall on one side; a water wall made relaxing sounds on the other. There was a shoji screen for privacy when dressing or undressing. The treatment table was positioned in the middle of the room, with a glass table and display placed in front of the bamboo wall. Products were artfully exhibited, and candles perfumed the air, providing soft lighting.
Anna followed the technician in, and the door closed gently.
It was lunchtime before the girls saw each other again. Anna had scheduled them for a two-hour break so that they could enjoy a light lunch away from the spa.
“So, how’s it going so far?”
Adeline stretched. “So far I’ve done a salt scrub, which was done competently, an essential oils massage, and a scalp treatment. You?”
Anna looked excited. “I did a salt scrub, which was uncomfortable at first, but when I told her it was, she added something to the mix and toned down the pressure, and it was much better. Then I did a full body wrap. I’m doing hands, feet, and facial when I get back.”
Carolyn smiled. “Skipped the salt scrub so I could do the waxing. Ouch. The young woman was surprised I’d decided to do so much in one day. When I explained we were on our way to Hawaii, she said she spent years over there with her husband, a military man. She’s very familiar with the area and suggested a couple of restaurants for us to try on Maui. She said that the flight back to Honolulu to see Pearl Harbor is an easy one. She suggested we take one of the helicopter tours of the volcanoes. She said if we want to take the bus from the hotel to the harbor, it will take us through most of town. The ride could take at least an hour, but we’d definitely get to see the local sights.”
Anna shrugged. “I think that’s a decision we can make when we get there. We can always rent a car or take a taxi; they might even have a tour service or a shuttle. I’m not worried about that part of it at all. They cater to tourists there. We won’t have any problems at all.”
The girls left their cars in the parking lot and walked across the street to a bistro they’d decided to try. Each of their technicians had reiterated the importance of eating light and staying hydrated.
“What happened to being thirsty? We used to get thirsty. Kids today get dehydrated. When we had kids playing outside and they got thirsty, everybody drank out of the hose. Let it run a minute, and you had nice cold water in endless supply. Now it’s all bottled water. Then they complain that our generation didn’t conserve and polluted everything. Don’t even get me started on the fact that you can’t let a child go out and play anymore. Either they’re going to be abducted by some lunatic, or they’re going to run off on their own. I just don’t know what has happened to this country.”
“Something wrong, Anna? You seem a little frustrated.”
“Well, that’s a polite way of putting it. What’s the female version of a curmudgeon?”
Adeline’s eyebrows met in the middle. “I’m not sure a curmudgeon has a gender. Why would they need one? Would you be inclined to be amorous with a curmudgeon?”
Carolyn laughed. “I’m sure they don’t have sex. You should probably keep that in mind, Anna.”
The girls were still laughing when they arrived at their destination.
It was a cute little bistro with tables just tall enough to be special but not so tall that one had to climb to reach their seat.
The tablecloths were bright white. The stemware was quite plain but of good quality. The wood was dark and polished to a high shine.
Their server arrived with ice water with a beautiful flower peaking out of the top of the glass, and menus. He introduced himself and left them to decide on their food choices.
Anna leaned in. “I’ll bet our server knows we were at the spa and that’s why we got our water so fast. So now that nobody from over there is listening to us, how’s it really going over at the spa?”
Adeline laughed. “Just what are you suggesting? Are your treatments not what you expected them to be?”
“Oh, the treatments are all good, but I gotta tell you, I’m not used to bein’ buck naked in front of strangers.”
Carolyn winked. “No curmudgeon is.”
“Now, let’s not plague me with that title. I have my grumpy moments, but for the most part, I’m a pleasant person.”
“True enough.”
“How are you doing with your treatments, Carolyn?”
“I must say that things have changed in my lifetime. There was a time when modesty was not only expected but respected. When I went into the treatment room, the young lady told me that she would step out of the room, that I could disrobe and arrange myself on the table, or I could put on their supplied robe and wait for her, and she would be happy to help me onto the table. I may be old, but I can certainly get up onto a treatment table, and I told her so.”
Anna confided, “Mine said about the same thing. It’s probably just an insurance thing. They don’t want to be responsible if you fall and break your neck.”
“Well, since the young woman left the room and it is a bit of a squeeze behind the shoji screen, I began to disrobe in the room proper. How long does it take to remove clothing?”
“Having been married a number of times to a number of rather lusty men, I can assure you it takes virtually no time at all.” Adeline’s throaty laugh got the attention of two men sitting at a nearby table.
“Exactly. I was bent over the bench adjacent to the shoji screen, folding my unmentionables…”
“Not only are they mentionable now, but for half the younger generation they are worn on the outside.”
The men looked over again when Adeline laughed.
“As I was bending over, the door pops open, the young women allows it to swing wide, encouraging anyone in the hall to witness my bare bottom displayed for the world to see.”
“Was there anyone in the hall?”
“I didn’t hear any screaming or laughter, so I’m assuming not.”
Anna smiled. “Well, one butt is about the same as the next. Some of us are more blessed than others. On the blessed scale, you don’t rate high marks.”
“I’ve never had a large bottom. Not even when I was pregnant with my children. Now, it is nonexistent. The technician said that if I started doing certain exercises I could build muscle in that area.”
Anna’s smile broadened. “They have padded jeans now that might be easier.”
“Actually, she said the advantage of doing exercise is not only my appearance but also my mobility and freedom of movement. She said that it is imperative to do weight-bearing exercise for strength of bones and for health.”
“I’m sure they have a class that will teach us all about what we need to do and buy. Just hand them a credit card.” Adeline didn’t even try to hide her cynicism.
“Actually, she said there’s no reason to pay for a gym membership just yet. She said that we can go to virtually any store that carries sporting equipment, buy some large resistance bands, and get started that way. I’m going to purchase some on the way home this evening.”
“That sounds like a good idea. Easy to pack for our trip as well. Perhaps we should each get a band.”
Carolyn sighed. “Once I started thinking about it, it has been a long time since I carried a baby around. When I first babysat the grandkids, it about killed me. You get out of the habit of using those muscles. It will only be worse this time around, and I want to be a very active part of Suzi’s little one’s life.”
Anna sounded enthusiastic. “I think that sounds great. Maybe we should all get into better physical health. I don’t have any babies in my near future, but I could use a little toning, and you never know what the future holds.”
“Why, Anna, that almost sounds like you’re on the prowl.” Adeline leaned in.
“I’m not. But you never know what the future holds.” She winked.
Carolyn shrugged. “I’m just hoping there’s no security footage of my hind end. I looked for cameras in that hallway as we were walking out but didn’t see any. There’s probably a website out there — gruesome granny glutes.”
Anna laughed. “Nothing to worry about. After we get you those rubber bands, no one will recognize your granny butt anyway.
Lunch was probably a little more food than the spa would have preferred. The girls skipped the bread and pâté and started with a salad of caramelized walnuts, pears, and soft cheese arranged artfully on endive. That was followed by a variety of crepes, and they ended the meal with pot au crème chocolat.
By the end of the day, Carolyn had whiter teeth and had tinted both her brows and eyelashes. The only hair left on her body was on the top of her head and her newly shaped eyebrows. She felt no need to share with the other girls the positions in which she posed for some of the more difficult waxing. On a whim she decided in for a penny, in for a pound and went for it. A full Brazilian wax! At her age! Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks.
Anna had lost measurable inches with her body wrap and, after a long discussion with a very attractive master stylist, decided on a closely cropped hairdo that would be much easier to manage on her trips away from her usual salon.
She also invested in a silk wrap skirt. The skirt was reversible and had two layers of heavy silk. It could be arranged in any number of ways, many of which no woman over the age thirty should wear, but some of which are very age appropriate.
Depending on how the skirt and ties are arranged, the garment could be used as a casual skirt or a formal dress as well as a hundred options in between. The salesgirl reminded Anna that she had lovely upper arms therefore she should have no concern about going sleeveless.
Anna walked away with the skirt and a YouTube address for lessons in the proper draping and tying to create the most flattering styles for her particular body type. She had to admit her body had held up pretty well, perhaps a positive side effect of a childless life. She hadn’t carried a child, and as a result she could afford a healthier life than many of her contemporaries. She still had a trim waist, good arms, her legs weren’t bad, if a little shorter than she would prefer, but all things being equal, she had the body of a fortunate woman half her age.