So I had just opened up my clinic with my coworker Krysten. Her work ethic and sensual personality were perfect to have in a partner. She was over ten years older than me and with kids, so not exactly someone I wanted a relationship with. But just what I needed to help me run this new company. As I said before, we had managed to make this place run a profit within just a few short months. Buoyed by our clients from the old job, they swiftly told their friends about us which helped tremendously.
But you're not reading my story because of your interest in entrepreneurial tactics and business acumen. You're here to read more about Darlene.
She was a fiery personality to be sure, leading her college volleyball team. She was only a few years younger than me, which I think helped her feel comfortable. She had started coming to the old place because of some painful muscle cramps and injuries from hitting the floor too hard one too many times. She wasn't unattractive with her bleach-blonde hair, porcelain skin, and trim figure. I enjoyed working on her from the get-go, as she was extraordinarily flirtatious. She was essentially the one who made me think to start Therapy with Tre. Our story commences with her first visit to the clinic's practice room.
The space was a little larger than the typical working area in our little midwestern therapy office. It had enough space to contain the massage table, a specialized chair, the relevant supplies, and an extra desk in which my trainer could sit and observe as I worked on patients. On the day Darlene came to see me, my teacher was seated at her desk taking notes on the session I had just finished. Leticia was a middle-aged black woman who had put on some weight but carried it well. Her hands were strong and talented at releasing pain from a person's body. She had taught me much in my couple of months in school.
"Well, baby, I think you've got this figured out. You only have one more client today and then you can head on home. I'm gonna stay and observe this one, cause she's a young woman. Remember, one of the most important things to do is make sure our patients feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed. Healing won't take place if they're on edge. You being, well... barely older than her, you'll have to make sure professional boundaries are firm. You got that?"
"Yes ma'am. Any notes for me from the previous session?" I asked while changing the sheet on the table.
"Hmm... only to remember to have good posture and save your back. You're young, but if you keep up in this business you're gonna regret any mistreatment of that. Oh, here she is." A knock at the door interrupted Leticia's flow.
"Come on in," I responded. The door opened and a well-put-together young woman walked in. I say walked, though she just was gingerly stepping, obviously in a great deal of pain. "Hi, my name is Tre and I will be taking care of you today. Can you tell me your full name and date of birth?"
"Darlene Colmson, 5/24/01."
"Okay, perfect. We are glad to have you with us today. What seems to be the problem?"
"I fucked up my back pretty bad at practice today. My coach told me to come here to get it fixed."
"Oh, I'm sorry. That must hurt a lot! Let me help you up on the table and ask you a few more questions about the source of the injury. Would you say it's the lower, mid, or upper back that hurts the most?"
"My lower back, around my tailbone. Also along my spine, like, on the left side."
"Okay, I'm going to gently touch your back now. Here and here you said?" As I carefully passed my hands over the spots she had mentioned.
"Um, yes on the spinal area, but lower on my back."
"Okay, that seems like you messed up your body. Let's see what we can do to help. Ms. Leticia and I will be stepping out of the room so you can undress to your level of comfort and you can get underneath the sheet on the table. Shout out if you need any help, and let us know when you're ready for us to come back in. Oh, Ms. Leticia is my observer today as I am finishing my training up. Is that alright with you or would you prefer a fully licensed therapist today? We can accommodate you however you'd like."
"Uh, you're fine." She said as she looked at me closer. The faintest hint of a smirk appeared on her face but was quickly overshadowed by the pain she was feeling. "I... I don't think I can get my clothes off. When I try to move my arms above my head it hurts like a bitch, and I can't bend over right now."
"Okay, that's alright. I can work over your clothes just fine, or Ms. Leticia can assist you if you'd prefer. Which would you prefer, ma'am?"
"I guess I can keep my clothes on if you think you can still fix me."
"Of course, Darlene. Let me help you up on the table." I moved the sheet aside and helped her lie down on the cot. Covering her with the sheet, I put on the quiet music that is typical at massage appointments and lowered the lights. I started work on her back through her jersey but found it hard to maintain the right pressure. The material kept slipping and at one point I heard Darlene gasp in pain as my hand slipped. I looked to Leticia for help, because I hadn't encountered this problem before. She nodded in understanding and spoke up.
"Miss Darlene, would it be alright if Tre here raised your shirt so he could have an easier time relaxing your muscles? I think the material is a little tricky to work with."
"Oh, of course. I would have taken it off, but..."
"No need to explain, honey," Leticia responded. She smiled encouragingly at me and motioned for me to continue.
I rolled the jersey up so that it was out of my way and I recommenced my work. Adding a bit of heated massage oil made all the difference in the world. I kept pretty quiet except for quiet questions about pressure and location. You could see her relaxing from the pain leaving her body.
"How does that feel? It seems like the tightness has completely disappeared from alongside your spine."
"So much better. God your hands are amazing..." she moaned into the headrest. I smiled because my work was making an impact on her.