Friday afternoon was dreadful! All I could think about was wanting to get home to a hot bubble bath. Soak all this stress off me and recharge.
My drive home only added to the stress of my day. I could not buy a second of relaxation.
Finally! I am home. Wondering through the house, I feel a wave of stress releasing from my body as I walk upstairs to the bedroom. I am home alone for the next two days. Sunday evening is when my husband will return from the mountains. I will feel whole once again. Until then, a bubble bath with music, candles, and wine is in order.
Steam soon fills the room as I run all the hot water into the tub. I am so glad we had the hot tub-style bath added. While the tub filled, I began to disrobe and took a look at myself in the mirror. The years have taken their toll! My body, covered in childbirth scars, stretch marks, looked worn and tired. As I studied the image in the mirror, I smiled. Wrinkles around the eyes from all the laughter over the years. Scars from childbirth. Wrinkles from losing weight. It is all in the way you look at things.
Smiling, I stepped into the tub, easing myself down into the stress-washing water. Closing my eyes, I could sense everything around me. I could feel the steam on my face, the smell of lavender from the bath salt, the sound of birds in the trees outside. Wonderful!
My stomach broke the tranquility. "Time to eat," I thought. Reaching for the phone, I held the button and said, "Call Ming Tree!" I ordered some food and had some very nice wine in the pantry.
Thinking of my evening, I kept a running clock in my mind. My dinner will arrive at 6:30. I have to relax some more, get dressed, and be downstairs in forty-five minutes.
"15 minutes until food delivery." My watch reminded me. I opened my eyes, stepped out of the tub, dried off, and looked for something to wear.
I went with the relaxed feel, wearing an old college t-shirt and some comfortable running shorts. I feel amazing.
Pouring a glass of White Zinfandel, I just got the cork back in the bottle when the doorbell rang. Walking briskly to the door, I swung it open, and there stood my delivery person.
"Deshawn!" I shouted with happiness.
"OMG, I have not seen you in years. Come in, come in. Please put the food on the kitchen counter." I stated.
Deshawn placed the food on the counter.
"How have you been? Please tell me everything. What have you been up to all these years? I see you keep yourself in great shape as always." I say.
"Yes, Mrs. C, I have been doing quite well. I went to USC and played football, then got drafted into the NFL. I spent two years with the Seahawks. I got injured, which caused me to retire. I completed my degree and am now in grad school here at the university." He replied.
"That is fantastic. my son, Mark, finished his studies at UC Fullerton and his graduate work at UCLA. He is an architect, living in Red Deer in Canada. He is married and has one daughter, Anna. Things here are the same, just me and Mr. C working and living life." I reply.
"Mrs. C, You look amazing." Deshawn states.
"Deshaw, flattery will get you anything you want!" I said back laughing.
"Well, I gotta get back, more deliveries. It was great seeing you. Tell Mark and Mr. C I said hi." He said.
"It was great seeing you too. Do not be a stranger. Stop by sometime and we can have a drink and perhaps cook something by the pool." I said.
Deshawn smiled and said half-heartedly, "I'm free tomorrow!"
"It's a date then. Say 7?" I asked.
"Great, see you at seven." He replied as he left shutting the door.