Spa Day – Be Careful What You Ask For

By Anne Marie Gurnick

Caroline Chandler and her best friend, Abby, spend a Sunday afternoon at their favorite Day Spa. They leave the spa relaxed, refreshed, and rejuvenated, but Carli soon discovers an unexpected result from that spa visit. A microchip capable of two-way communication has been implanted behind her right ear. When it is activated, it instructs Carli to perform private courier tasks. The tasks are simple pickup and delivery of anonymous items on behalf of anonymous clients.

Over the next several months, Carli searches for the source of the unintended technology that is now taking over her life. Her search quickly takes her into the world of high-value art and antiquities. The more information she uncovers, the more confused she becomes as to the source of “the system”. Are the tasks legal? Are the tasks safe? The rewards are great, but at what personal cost? How far will she go without compromising her own integrity? Who will she trust in her search for answers?

Caroline has worked in the Harvard hospitals of Boston for most of her career. She has had an interesting life of work-related travel and has met an array of scientists and researchers. But none of her experiences could have prepared her for what she is being asked to do.

Spa Day is set in the present day, amid the historical sites of Boston and the Massachusetts shore, just coming out of a pandemic. The main characters are based on actual people, their experiences, and their expertise. The people that Carli meets along this journey change her life forever. Her story begs the question: What would you do?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Jan 5, 2024
• ISBN: 9798889101451

Anne Marie Gurnick

Anne Marie Gurnick is a new author who enjoyed a career in healthcare, holding hospital department director positions within the Massachusetts state government, and later in one of the Harvard teaching hospitals in Boston. She lived in Boston for several years until her retirement in 2016, and now lives on Cape Cod. An avid art history buff, she has traveled extensively to visit art and cultural museums all over the world. Painting in various mediums and drawing keep her busy now that she is retired. Spa Day is a culmination of her professional and personal experiences, people and places woven into a current day mystery.

Book preview

Chapter One

The Invitation

Carli’s eyes glaze over as she stares out the window above the desk in her den. She’s been sitting in front of her laptop since very early morning answering e-mails, scheduling more ‘Zoom’ meetings and drafting what feel like endless documents. It’s been a cold, rainy Spring in Boston but today is finally warm and sunny. The trees that line the street are heavy with new green buds just waiting to unfurl. She feels the warmth of the sun on her face as it shines lower in the late afternoon sky. Marble, her beautiful calico cat, is laying in the windowsill also enjoying the warmth. Carli has been working on a policy document for the past two hours. As her gaze leaves the outside world, she looks down to the right lower corner of her laptop. It’s 4:00 pm on Friday, the first Friday of May.

No sooner does she note the time then her phone chimes that she has a new text message. She immediately finishes the sentence where she left off and hits ‘Save’, a practice that she developed quickly after one too many experiences with losing documents. Picking up her phone, Carli sees that the message is from her closest friend, Abby. She smiles and feels a surge of renewed energy as she taps open the message.

Look at this! We need this!

A link to a website is in Abby’s message. Carli taps open the link. A photo emerges of beautiful mountain landscapes, that fades to a sunset, then a tranquil beach. Soothing flute music is playing softly as these words appear and then fade away with each scene.

Spend a Day with us to Change your Life!

Let us Pamper you, Refresh your Body, Calm your Mind and Brighten your Outlook!

This is a Special Invitation for you to Visit us this Weekend Only.

It is an invitation to the Serenity Day Spa on Newbury Street. Carli and Abby have had treatments at this spa in the past. Abby’s message continues;

Let’s go have a drink somewhere. I could really use one!

Meet me at The Fish House in an hour. They’ve got a good Happy Hour.

Carli replies with the thumbs-up and smiley face emojis.

She is pleased to hear from her longtime friend as it’s been months since they’ve been in each other’s company. Even though they may not talk for weeks, they have always been able to just pick up where they left off and catch up on personal news.

The COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world 14 months ago. Nearly 4 million people have died worldwide, 600,000 in the USA. Quarantining at home has been in effect for a year. The winter months saw the virus at its peak volume of infections. The USA is slowly returning to a more normal daily life as Spring unfolds. Restaurants and bars have started to re-open gradually with a limited capacity and physically distanced seating. But now, in the last week, they’ve been allowed to serve to their full capacity and with a normal seating arrangement.

Carli taps her phone off as she closes the cover to her laptop. She goes into her bedroom and does a quick change out of her sweatpants and tee shirt into black dress jeans and a white silk blouse. A pair of black ballerina flats and single pearl stud earrings finishes her look. Then into the bathroom for some eyeliner and blush. She has always had a simple but classic sense of style and at 48 she has absolutely perfected it. She heads for the door grabbing her black leather jacket from the closet on the way.

Bye Marb. See you later.

Marble lazily raises her head and looks in Carli’s direction. She opens her mouth into a big, toothy yawn then rests her head onto her front paws. At 19 years old, sleeping is her favorite pastime.

Her one-bedroom apartment is small but comfortable. The neighborhood is all four-story brownstone buildings centered between Fenway Park and the Museum of Fine Arts. There is a long narrow park where Carli can run a 3-mile loop. But best of all, she can walk to her office. After commuting for almost 8 years to Boston from the suburbs, she thoroughly loves living in the city.

Carli skips down the 2 flights of stairs from her apartment and out the front door. The air outside is refreshingly moist. She heads toward the ‘T’ station just past Fenway Park at Kenmore Square—a 10-minute walk. As she walks by the main gate of Fenway, she sees the large sign still on display against the red brick façade announcing that the Park remains closed to spectators. All the large sports arenas, stadiums, concert halls, theaters and most entertainment venues remain closed due to the pandemic.

Carli has lived 2 blocks from Fenway Park for the past 15 years. As she walks, she thinks how eerie it has been to have no crowds of people in the neighborhood, no roar of the fans at Fenway, streets empty of traffic and storefronts closed. She reminisces about hearing the roar of fans from her apartment during a Red Sox game and turning her TV on to see what happened and hearing the Rolling Stones practice for their concert at Fenway the night before they perform. A special treat as they’ve been her favorite band since her teenage years.

She arrives at the T station in Kenmore Square. The station is underground. A large glass and steel building at street level houses the stairways and escalators to the ticketing access level and from there it is another level down to the train tracks. Carli pushes through the fare turnstile and goes to the Inbound track side. The platform has only a few people waiting. The train arrives within 10 minutes. Carli steps onto the train and takes a seat near the front greeting the driver as she sits down for the 20-minute ride.

Abby and Carli met when Carli took a position at the Northeast Regional Medical Center, one of the Harvard teaching hospitals in Boston. Abby is a critical care nurse who left direct patient care and became a quality assurance specialist in the OB-GYN department. She and Carli had adjoining offices in the Quality Assurance department.

They often attended the same meetings at the hospital and were members of a national association that had them traveling to educational conferences each year across the country. It was at one such conference in San Diego that they added a few extra days after the conference ended to go to Las Vegas.

That trip was the first of many that they would take together all over the world.

They had become friends quickly as they discovered that they share several common likes, interests and opinions. Their bond of friendship has grown stronger over the years.

Abby is married to Scott Christoff and they live in Quincy, just south of the city. They have a married daughter and son with 4 young grandchildren, 3 who are girls and 1 new baby boy. Abby adores babies and at 45 is a young, active grandma. She was born and raised in Boston’s Italian neighborhood. She is the consummate Italian Mama and Nonna. The oldest of 6 children, she loves the holidays when she can cook for them all. Scott is a lab scientist who analyzes mechanical and structural defects and failures in medical equipment. He is also a boat captain who takes people on fishing charters in Boston Harbor.

Abby had resigned her position at the Medical Center having worked there for ten years to go to work for the state Department of Public Health. Her office now is located within walking distance of Government Center and the waterfront area where they are to meet. She and Carli have maintained their friendship even though they are no longer co-workers.

The Fish House is a popular seafood restaurant located on Long Wharf next to the North End Italian neighborhood of the city. Abby arrives first. She walks through the restaurant seating area to the back of the building that faces part of Boston Harbor. The bar is a large rectangle that gives all guests seated there a view of the water. The smell of salt air permeates the building. Its walls are adorned with everything nautical. Fishing nets, colorful buoys, lobster traps and seashells are hung among original black and white photos of the Boston waterfront in olden days. Grisly, bearded fishermen still in their rubber gear hold up the day’s catch for the camera. It’s very ‘touristy’ but locals love the bar setting. It feels like a vacation escape without the need to travel.

A sign at the entrance to the bar area reads, ‘Join us for Happy Hour 5–7 pm daily.’ Guests arrive in a steady stream heading into the bar area until all seats are quickly taken. Most of them are dressed in suits, ties and dresses as the Financial District and Court House are close by.

Abby sits at the bar directly facing the water saving the seat beside her with her jacket. A long row of varying size, white power boats are tied to the main dock directly outside the restaurant. Abby reads the names of a few; ‘Fuelish Pleasure’, ‘Dad’s Escape’, ‘Salty’, ‘Summer Fun’, ‘Nirvana’.

There are also a few houseboats moored just a few yards from the docked boats. Abby imagines what it might be like to live on a houseboat. She affirms to herself that is has all the amenities of a house, only much smaller in scale. Less to keep clean, she concludes.

Hi, Welcome to The Fish House. What can I get for you? The bartender interrupts Abby’s assessment.

Oh, Hi, sorry I was daydreaming there for a minute. The bartender smiles.

We get that a lot. What can I bring you?

Two Grey Goose cosmopolitans with limes, please. My friend is on her way.

Okay, but how about I keep them cold and pour them as soon as I see your friend arrive?

That would be perfect. Thank you so much.

Abby thought to herself, now that’s a good bartender.

Carli gets off the train at the Haymarket stop which is the closest to the waterfront area. She typically avoids this stop as she is unnerved by its being 5 levels below ground, the deepest in the city. The stop is also adjacent to the Callahan Tunnel that goes to the airport. Both structures are underwater, cutting through part of the harbor. As she rides the multiple escalators from the platform, she feels better able to breathe the closer she gets to the street level. She tries to give it a positive spin by thinking, I guess it would be a good place to hide if someone was chasing you.

She takes a deep breath of fresh air as she reaches the street.

Abby sees Carli at the entrance to the bar room and waves. Carli makes her way past the suits and dresses. She greets Abby, I am so happy to see you. She gives her a hug and kiss on the cheek.

At the same moment, the bartender places their cold cosmopolitans on the bar just as promised.

Welcome and Enjoy!

Abby smiles at him, You’re the best! What’s your name?

I’m Matthew, Matt for short.

Thank you so much Matt. I’m Abby and this is my close friend, Caroline, Carli for short.

He smiles and shakes their hands. My pleasure! Enjoy your cosmos.

Carli quickly recounts to Abby her fear of the Haymarket ‘dungeon’ and Abby agrees that it would be a good place to hide.

Abby complains, I had to go into my office today and it is like an eerie ghost town. I am really over with this working from home situation. I need to see and touch people, look into their eyes when I talk to them.

Carli agrees that it’s not conducive to getting to know someone but offers her fear that it may continue for some positions. Some of the administrative office staff may continue with their remote work which may lead to some cost savings for the Medical Center. I had 12 different offices in my first 10 years at the Medical Center, both on and off campus. Remember?

Abby diverts the conversation, Enough about work. We’re off duty. Her face then lights up, And we’ve got appointments booked for noon on Sunday—Yay!! We’ll have all afternoon to be pampered at the Spa. Consider it my treat as an early birthday present.

She raises her cosmo glass to toast to Carli’s birthday. They clink glasses and take a sip.

Ugh, don’t remind me. Fifty is creeping up on me way too quick.

Don’t be silly. Abby discards the notion.

You look like you are only 40 at most! You’re an active, smart, successful, gorgeous blonde.

You forgot divorced! Carli was quick to note.

That’s only a demographic. Abby rebuffed.

Carli added, And this past year has certainly made it completely impossible to meet someone, never mind start a relationship.

Abby had to agree, I know, it’s been terrible.

Carli changed the subject. How are your little friends? You really must have missed seeing them in person all these months.

Abby nodded. It was hard to not hold them and squeeze their little cheeks, they change so much each month. Abby smiled as she pictured those pink baby cheeks.

FaceTime calls did at least give Scott and me some time to see them and them to see us. We will definitely be making up for lost time with them now.

Abby took a sip of her cosmo. How’s our old girl Marble doing? She must have loved you being at home every day.

She did for sure—when she was actually awake. Carli laughed.

Matt walks over to check on their drinks. How are you ladies doing over here? Would you like a refill of those cosmos?

Carli is first to respond, Absolutely! And Abby gives him a thumbs up.

Their gabfest continues for another 2 hours as they are oblivious to the crowd around them. They discuss the vaccination program underway to deter the pandemic and the debate over the effectiveness of wearing masks. Abby shares many stories about her work for the state. With each drink, they seem to have many more solutions for healthcare issues. At one point, Abby asks Matt, the bartender, if he has a girlfriend.

Oh, I think it’s time for us to leave, Carli interrupts as she finishes the last sip of her cosmo.

Abby adamantly comments, You never know where you might find your Mr. Right!

Abby laughs and finishes her last sip. Then they both thank Matt and leave the bar.

It was very enjoyable, ladies! Matt waves them goodbye.

Carli and Abby part ways outside the Haymarket Station.

Talk soon, both echo as they hug goodbye.

Carli walks slowly up the stairs to her apartment. She is thinking, the good thing about Happy Hour is you can get home at a reasonable hour.

She and Abby had continued with their catching up and a third round of cosmos. But they did get some appetizers to take the edge off the alcohol haze.

Carli opens her apartment door, Marb, I’m home.

Marble is at her food dish in the kitchen, expressing her displeasure that it was empty. OK Mama’s here.

Carli looks at the time. Only 9:30 pm. And she thinks, Ahhh, I can sleep in tomorrow morning.

Chapter Two

Spa Day

Carli had set the alarm on her clock radio to be up early Sunday morning. It clicked on at 8:00 am with a news report underway. What was being said didn’t register with Carli as she was just waking up from a vivid dream. She rubs her eyes then glances toward the window to assess the day’s weather.

Blue skies, bright sun, a perfect day to stroll along Newbury Street, she thought. Since Newbury Street is only a 10-minute walk away from her neighborhood, she’s decided to head there early so she can do some ‘window shopping’ before their spa appointment. It’s been a year since she has been in any retail store other than the grocery and liquor stores.

Marble, still asleep at the end of the bed, doesn’t stir as Carli slides out from under the covers.

She makes a cup of coffee then sits at the kitchen table to let the caffeine do its work. As she sips, she is thinking, I’ll treat myself to a nice gooey pastry at the French patisserie that’s on Newbury Street. She tries to remember its name, Le Patisserie? Bonjour Patisserie? She can’t recall.

Carli is showered, dressed and out the door by 10:00 am. The morning air is still cool but the sun is warm and it will get warmer as the day goes on, she concludes.

She walks to the end of her street then on to Boylston Street. Newbury Street is one block to the west as she comes to the intersection with Massachusetts Avenue. Berklee School of Music is at this intersection so the corner is crowded with young people, sporting every color hair and carrying different shape instrument cases. Carli tries to guess what instrument is in each case as she walks by.

As she makes the turn onto Newbury Street. Deux Amis Patisserie comes into her view. Oh, that’s right! she thinks to herself. It’s Deux Amis—2 friends! Quite serendipitous given her plan with Abby.

As soon as she steps into the bakery, her sense of smell is flooded with that familiar aroma of a warm apple pie with its notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. As she gets closer to the counter, she scans the array of pastries in every color, shape and size. As someone who loves to bake, she is in awe of the small perfections she sees before her. Right then, she makes a promise to herself that she will learn to make French patisserie.

How can I choose just one? she ruminates. Her eyes scan the cases one more time then settle on a glazed custard and strawberry galette. That’s the one! Anything with custard or cheesecake!

Since the day is a sunny one, the patio tables outside the bakery are open for use. Carli takes a seat at one and enjoys her guilty treat, savoring every bite. The mild day has brought many people outside and Carli enjoys ‘people watching’. Quite satisfied with her choice, she discards her napkin and leaves the patio. She intends to take her time as she ‘window shops’ down the street.

Newbury Street is about a mile in length and ends at the Boston Public Garden. It is where all the high-end designer boutiques and art galleries are located in the city. It’s where the ‘beautiful people’ come to see and be seen in the many sidewalk cafes that dot the street.

As Carli walks, she passes a few empty storefronts with large ‘For Rent’ signs in their windows. Most likely victims of the pandemic, she guesses. She looks in the windows of the first few boutiques but there is nothing that catches her eye to explore further. The first art gallery she comes upon looks interesting. It’s a large gallery with multiple rooms that is very deceiving when you look in from the street.

Carli loves art and art history. She had an Art minor area of concentration in college but she has not done very much in the way of drawing or painting since her career has taken her full attention. Three years ago, she did begin to indulge herself with winter trips to Europe to spend time in the famous museums of the world. She discovered that the winter is considered off season in many European cities so flight and hotel packages are very inexpensive and there are no large crowds to contend with in the museums. She takes these trips alone as no one she knows could endure a 5- or 6-hour visit in any museum which is her habit. Several of these cities she and Abby have toured together but they did not take the time to visit all the museums. To date, Carli has re-visited London, Nice, Provence, Saint Paul-de-Vence and Amsterdam for her winter sojourns.

It was 11 days after her return from Amsterdam that the pandemic brought the world to a halt, placing everyone into quarantine. No one knew at the time that the quarantine would last for over a year.

Carli greets the gallery host and begins her stroll through the many rooms of paintings, drawings and sculpture.

Have you visited us before? asks the host, a young, well dressed and coifed man.

Carli responds, Yes, I have, actually. But not for some time now.

Completely understandable. Welcome back and let me know if you would like information on our current artists. There are many fine works here.

I will and thank you. Carli smiles and nods to him.

A very large painting catches her eye as she enters a side room. It’s of a sunset over the ocean just as the sun colors the sky with many hues. Carli gets very close to be able to see the brush strokes and how the artist blended them. She loves color. And every time she does get the opportunity to visit a gallery, she is inspired, I really need to start painting again and practice!

Carli continues her walk through each room and ends up back in the main room where she started.

Do you see anything that you just must have today? The host smiles.

I’m afraid it’s not in the budget. Carli confesses, But you have many beautiful pieces here.

Yes, we do. And I’m happy to say that we were able to survive the past year.

You are one of the lucky ones. Carli was quick to note. Thank you again.

Carli checks the time as she leaves the gallery. Still an hour until our appointment. She visits a couple more galleries along the way and stops in the Cole Haan store. She loves their shoes. Further along the street, she goes into the Nike store to check out the new running shoes. Chanel is among her favorite designers but she only stops to view their window display.

No reason to look in there. But she admires the workmanship and style of their clothing. Maybe someday, she thinks. Carli loves beautiful clothes. Her mother had taught her how to sew during her teen years. She also taught her how to look at clothing to discern how well it is made. Carli is very grateful to her mom for this skill. During college, Carli made most of her own clothes and saved a lot of money.

Her phone vibrates in her jacket pocket. She reaches for it and sees it’s Abby texting that she has just gotten off the train at the Copley Square stop.

Meet me at the street entrance to the Copley stop.

Carli texts her a thumbs up emoji.

She walks the 2 blocks to the Copley T stop entrance. Abby appears shortly after Carli reaches their meeting spot.

What a great day! Abby exclaims as she bounds onto the sidewalk.

Carli adds, Great day for a Spa visit! I can’t even begin to tell you how badly I need a pedicure. When were we here last?

Abby replies, It was 3 years ago for your 45th birthday, remember?

Oh yeah, right. Now I remember and didn’t we get facials that day, too? I wish I could remember the name of the facial I had because it was a good one.

Abby comments, I booked these appointments on such short notice, I didn’t think to look at their treatment menu on-line. I was just happy we could get in here today.

We’re early so we can look at their treatment menu when we get there, Carli offered.

Cool, Abby agrees. How was your head this morning? I never drink more than 2 cosmos. We really didn’t need that third one.

Carli laughs, The last drink is always a TUD!

Abby looks confused, A TUD?

Carli translates, A Totally Unnecessary Drink!

Carli and Abby both laugh out loud!

The Serenity Day Spa comes into view as they near the end of Newbury Street. A doorman opens the door as they get close.

Good afternoon, ladies. Are you here to be pampered?

Carli chuckles to herself, that question could be construed differently. Abby’s grin lets Carli know that she’s thinking the exact same thing.

We most certainly are! Abby replies.

As they walk into the reception area, Carli says, I don’t remember it looking like this, do you?

The young woman at the counter overhears her, Welcome to the new Serenity Spa. You are correct. We have had a ‘face lift’ ourselves. New management acquired the Spa about four months ago. I hope you will find our services improved and our rooms most comfortable and inviting. May I have your names, please?

Abby answers, Abigal Christoff and Caroline Chandler.

Thank you. If you would make yourself comfortable in our lounge, we will be with you shortly, as she motions to the large lounge area adjacent to the reception counter. They walk into the lounge area which is behind a wall of live palm trees from the reception area. A stone fountain in the opposite corner provides the room with that calming sound of gently trickling water. The lights overhead are softer, dimmed down, with white candles flickering on the 2 side tables. The room is painted a soft green.

There is a sectional, L shaped sofa that wraps around a glass top coffee table the base of which looks like a tree trunk cut sideways to show the grain. The sofa is a light cream color and the 2 upholstered chairs have a large green palm leaf fabric on a cream background. A white marble vase holds a large bouquet of bright tiger lilies that adds a colorful focal point to the room.

Oooh, nice, coos Abby.

As they take their seats, another young woman in a light green salon smock approaches them with 2 glasses of water with lemon peels afloat on top. Hello, I’m Danielle. May I take your jackets? she asks. Abby and Carli give her their jackets and thank her for the water. Abby sees copies of the Spa Treatment Menu on the coffee table in front of them.

Oh good, let’s have a look. We need to choose the facial treatment and the type of massage we’d like to have done. Abby takes one and gives one to Carli.

Carli peruses the facial treatment menu and says, I just need one that is anti-wrinkle, anti-lines, anti-aging, youth reviving, lifting, sculpting, moisturizing, plumping, pore minimizing, skin resurfacing and enhancing. That’s all, as she runs out of adjectives and adverbs.

Abby laughs, Seriously!

The receptionist enters the lounge and hands them each a paper. If you would kindly complete this questionnaire, we can be sure to match you with the best treatments today. I see from our records that you had visited under the previous management. We certainly appreciate your return visit. I will give you a few minutes to complete the form and do let me know if you have any questions. She leaves the area.

Abby and Carli scan the form and begin to complete each section.

The form is divided into three sections, Demographic Information, Known Medical/Physical Issues and a Getting To Know You section. There are 2 added pages with blank sections for each aesthetician to write a summary of the treatment received, a signature of the aesthetician and a spot that says Place sticker here.

Carli makes a mental note to ask about this ‘sticker’. She starts to complete the form.

Name: Caroline Chandler

Age: 48

Gender: F

Marital Status: D

Children:

Prefer: Carli

Parents: Deceased

Siblings: 1 brother

Employer: NE Regional Medical Center

Occupation: Department Director

Address/Phone/Family/Emergency Contact, all the usual demographic questions, thinks Carli.

The next section is entitled as Known Issues (Medical-Dermatological) which includes the usual list of chronic conditions, allergies with open space to document in more detail. Then there is a Problems To Be Addressed during today’s visit. Carli gets to this section and asks Abby, Do you think I could list high taxes, not enough parking spaces and exorbitant rent in the Problems section?

Abby laughs. I wish, right?

Carli writes, Aging skin, decreased moisture, fine lines, under eyes and corner of eyes.

The Getting To Know You asks to give a brief description of your hobbies, interests, travels, etc.

Carli wonders why this section is necessary for a massage or a facial. Although she can see that travel may make you susceptible to some allergen.

She writes, Professional career in healthcare.

Travels for work to multiple locations in the USA and worked in Dubai, UAE for 5 weeks.

Travels for pleasure to multiple European locations, including London, Paris, Rome, Florence, Naples, Cinque Terre, Sicily, Nice, Monaco, Cannes, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Athens, Kusadasi.

Enjoys painting, drawing, art, art history, museums, physical exercise including yoga, running, biking She sits back and reviews her entries and is impressed with her list of travel locations.

Just as she and Abby are finishing their paperwork, a tall, thin older woman, very well dressed in a classic Chanel suit approaches them. Her face has clearly had some work and her skin is absolutely porcelain, Carli surmises. Her mahogany brunette hair is drawn up into a perfect French bun with a few wisps of white hair framing her face. A large gold link chain necklace adorns her neck at the collar of her white Chanel jacket. Matching earrings complete her look. She has a very large, cushion cut sapphire ring on her left ring finger and a large, diamond eternity ring on her right middle finger. Carli thinks, Business must be good.

She smiles and offers her hand to each of them.

Hello, ladies. I am Jacqueline Moreau. I am the Spa manager and I would like to thank you for visiting with us today. Can I help you with any questions that you may have?

Carli says, Yes, actually, I have a question. I see that there are blank pages added where notes are to be documented by each aesthetician outlining the treatments that we receive. But what exactly is the ‘sticker’ that gets placed at the end of each note section?

Ms. Moreau appears to gather her thoughts before she responds. Well, I see that you have paid excellent attention to our form. She goes on to say, Since many of our guests receive multiple treatments, a sticker is used in different colors at the end of each section to represent that you will be either moving on to receive additional treatments or that you have completed all treatments. So, a yellow sticker indicates that you will be receiving more treatments while a red sticker would indicate that you have completed all treatment for the visit. It’s really a visual aid for our staff to move our guests through to their next treatments. Does that make sense? Carli nods not giving it anymore thought.

She then signs her name and dates the bottom of the form which is her consent to the treatments, services and products provided by the Spa. A signature releases the Spa from liability for these treatments, services and products which may be stopped from use, removed or replaced at the client’s request.

Have you finished your forms? I can take them. Ms. Moreau collects the forms from Carli and Abby.

Merci and we will call for you shortly.

Abby comments as soon as she leaves the room. Well, I’d say this place has come up in class! I guess they had to spiff up the place to compete with the many other salons on the street.

Carli nods in agreement. But she is thinking that the consent form content is unlike any she has ever seen in a salon or spa.

As they make their final selections from the treatment menu, Danielle, the young woman who brought them their water reappears. She announces, I will now take you to your first treatment room. You will receive your facial first, followed by your body scrub and then your massage. After a warm shower, you will sit for your pedicure and manicure. Please follow me.

They follow Danielle to an adjacent hallway and she knocks lightly on the first door they come upon.

She looks at Carli, This is your room Ms. Chandler. Your aesthetician is Aileen Delonge. She is waiting for you. She opens the door and motions Carli into the room.

Ms. Delonge is a petite young woman with long straight blonde hair that is pulled back from her face by a thin, clear plastic headband. She wears a white lab-type coat over her clothes.

Bonjour, Ms. Chandler. I am Aileen and I am very pleased to assist you today. She has an obvious French accent and rhythm to her speech. She turns to the young woman escort and says, Merci, Danielle.

Carli also says thank you to her and then turns to Abby who is just outside the door.

See you on the other side.

Abby responds, Enjoy!

Aileen motions for Carli to sit in one of 2 chairs that are on the wall opposite the padded table where she will lay for her facial, body scrub and massage. Aileen sits in the other chair beside Carli.

Have you decided which facial you would like to have today? Aileen leans forward and studies Carli’s face.

Carli answers, Yes, I would like the Essential Vitality facial.

An excellent choice. Aileen then reaches for the folded light green velour robe from a shelf under the table and presents it to Carli.

This will be your robe for the afternoon. Please remove your clothes and only leave your panties on, or not, if you’d prefer. You may hang your clothes behind the door. Then please lay on the table on your back and under the sheet. No one else will use this room. I will give you a moment while I go get your paperwork. She leaves the room.

Carli is familiar with the drill. She strips down to nothing then gets on the table underneath the sheet and light blanket. Carli is guessing Aileen is probably in her late twenties, maybe a graduate of a Boston beauty school.

Aileen taps lightly on the door and walks into the room with the form in her hand that Carli had completed and signed. She places it on the counter next to the sink that she will be using.

Aileen then sits on a wheeled stool and rolls over to Carli’s right side.

I have read your profile and I have a few questions to ask.

Yes, of course, Carli says.

Aileen continues, I see that you are a traveler. Have you ever come in contact with a food or beauty product, maybe a fabric that you’ve experienced a reaction to, like a rash or hives or itchiness?

No nothing at all like that and I’ve traveled a lot of places, she replies.

Aileen tries to make small talk, by saying, Do you often travel alone?

Carli replies, Yes, both for work and pleasure.

Aileen then says, I admire that you travel by yourself. I don’t think I would be so brave as to do that, especially in a foreign country.

Carli explains, I guess I’ve always been a risk taker, but a reasonable one. I’ve gotten quite used to traveling alone for work over the past several years. But I’m also a person who really loves an adventure, the unknown of what’s around the next corner.

Aileen feigns being scared and says, Oh, but do you keep in touch with anyone at home while you are away? Who knows where you are when the trip is not for work?

Carli thinks for a moment, Hmmm, I’ll usually send photos by text to my friend, Abby and maybe my brother, Ben. But he and I are not really close enough that we share our daily living routine with each other. He lives in New York City. And I don’t always share my personal vacation itineraries with my office staff or my boss. I usually wait until I get back in the office to share my travel stories.

Aileen offers, Maybe I’d get braver if I traveled more frequently.

Carli says, You absolutely would. You become more comfortable with the process every time you travel. And especially if you go somewhere, you’ve never been before. You should try it. I highly recommend it. Where are you from?

Aileen chuckles but does not answer Carli’s question.

Maybe someday. Merci. Now let’s get started.

For the next 60 minutes, Carli’s face is steamed to open her pores, caressed with silky oils, softened with a thick, purple mud mask, massaged along her facial muscles, tightened with gold patches placed below her eyes and saturated with multiple creams that are each absorbed into warm, wet towels. Lastly, Aileen uses a large, round magnification glass to get a close look at her pores and searches for any imperfections she might have missed.

Very nice. She smiles as she hands Carli a mirror to see for herself.

Carli looks at her face in the mirror. Wow, my face looks much softer, actually plumped and I can see no lines anywhere! She is pleased with the results but then asks, "OK, how long will this look