The sun was coming up, the pinkish glow beginning to seep through the sheer curtains of the front window, and Tess rubbed her forehead. Another night of sitting in the chair, unable to sleep, and it was time to go to work. She dragged herself out of the chair and slowly walked to the bathroom, the bright light hurting her eyes when she flipped the switch and turned on the shower.
The t-shirt and panties fell to the floor as the steam filled the room, and she adjusted the temperature before stepping inside the small enclosure. The hot water poured over her head as she leaned her hands on the wall, running off her shoulders and down her back, her mind racing as the soothing warmth enveloped her. The stress remained, and although relaxed and warm, she was on edge and anxious about another day at work.
Tess hated her job. She hated her boss, that bitch Evelyn, and most of the people she worked with. A group of tight-knit gossips, it was a negatively-charged and toxic atmosphere full of back-stabbing, deceit, and internal politics that made it impossible to complete anything properly or on time. The stress was becoming unbearable, eating away inside of her and effecting her very existence. First was the pressure of trying to fit in, then the loss of confidence when others were given credit for her work. Soon her anxiety built, leading to her loss of appetite and increase in drinking wine, followed by the constant heartburn and lack of sleep. Insomnia crept in, and it had been weeks she had slept through the night.
She dried off, brushed her hair and looked at the tired woman in the mirror. With bags under her eyes, blotchy skin, and sunken cheeks she looked closer to sixty than thirty. After forcing herself to brush her teeth she felt slightly better, and added a little rouge, mascara, and lipstick. Now the woman in the mirror looked closer to forty, Tess decided.
She slipped on a pair of black jeans and a white T-shirt, added a light black jacket, and put on a pair of black flats. It would be nice today and she chose to walk, hoping the fresh air and exercise would tire her out, and slipped out into the sunshine. Without thinking she strolled the familiar route, her feet taking her in the right direction, until she noticed the café. She stepped inside and bought a bran muffin and a small tea for breakfast before continuing on her way, getting a slight smile from the woman behind the counter, a smile of recognition.
"Have yourself a nice day," she chirped. "And please come again."
"Thank you," Tess replied softly.
"Are you okay?" she asked quietly.
"Oh, yes," Tess mumbled. "Well, not really, but thanks for asking."
Tess wandered back onto the street and continued her walk, stopping in front of the fountain in the large courtyard of the office buildings, and sat on the low brick wall facing the buildings. She munched on her muffin and sipped the tea, deciding she was not going in to work, and pulled her phone out and called in. Taking a personal day felt a little better. After finishing up she decided to go for a walk and enjoy the day, and headed for the little strip of shops on the other side of the courtyard, slowly strolling along and looking in the windows. A little sign in the corner of one window caught her eye.
Feeling lost? Can't sleep? Come in and ask for Xena
Tess sighed and entered the little shop, hearing the bell on the door dingle as it closed, and looked around. It was cluttered but clean, the shelves and aisles littered with knick-knacks, books, crystals, gems, and all sorts of paraphernalia. She browsed slowly, finally reaching the counter, and an older man, possibly in his eighties, came out from behind the beaded curtain in the back wall. He walked slowly and placed his hands on the counter.
"Hello, young lady," he greeted with a slight smile. "May I help you?"
"Uh, I saw the little sign in the window."
"Oh, you want Xena. Just a moment, please."
He disappeared behind the curtain and reappeared, gesturing for her to follow him. She moved behind the counter and followed him into a brightly lit room, decorated minimally with a few chairs and a sofa, and he gestured for her to take a seat. Tess sat on the couch and a woman appeared in the doorway opposite. She was tall and heavyset, wearing a long flowing gown in a floral pattern, and looked to be in her sixties. Her long gray hair was dappled with black streaks, and her ebony hands were covered in rings and wrist bangles.
"Hello, I am Xena."
"Hello, I'm Tess."
"Tess. An interesting name. Short for Enchantress, by chance?"
"No, I don't believe so," Tess chuckled. "Just Tess."
The old man appeared and put a cup on the coffee table in front of Tess, giving her a polite smile, and left the room.
"Herbal tea, to put you at ease while we talk," Xena explained.
"Oh, thank you."
Xena gestured for her to stand up.
"Please, stand up and let me take a look at you."
Tess put her purse on the sofa and stood up. Xena gestured for her to twirl, so she slowly turned around until she was once more facing her. Xena stepped close, putting her hand on Tess's forehead, and smiled.
"You have the looks and soul of an Enchantress," she said softly.
"Oh, uh, thank you."
"Please sit. I see you are at odds with yourself. Please, tell me what is happening."
They both took a seat and the old man appeared again, bringing a steaming mug to Xena and disappearing. Tess picked up the mug and sniffed, finding a pleasing aroma of cinnamon, and took a sip. The tea warmed her, and she took another sip as Xena sipped on her mug.
"Well, I can't sleep," Tess began. "I feel so tired, exhausted really, and just can't sleep. Maybe two hours each night, no matter what I try."
"What else?"
"I feel so stressed at work all day, and when I get home I just can't stop thinking about it. I try going for walks, reading, TV, taking baths and showers. Nothing seems to help. I'm losing weight and my stomach is upset all the time."
"Hmm, I see. I assume you are alone? No partner, man or woman?"
"No, I have been on my own for a while."
"How long?"
"About three years," she admitted with a sigh. "My last relationship ended badly."
"I see."
They sipped their tea in silence for a few moments, and Tess wondered if Xena was actually a therapist.
"You are lost, my dear," Xena announced. "You need to find your true self."
"How do I do that?"
"There are many ways," Xena answered. "Yoga, meditation, therapy, medications. I deal in a different methodology, however. The mind is very powerful, my dear. I assist in unlocking the true selves of lost souls, such as yourself. I will help you, if you so desire."
"Will I sleep better?"
"Yes."
"What do I have to do?"
"Start by finishing your tea. Then I want you to place your hands in mine and close your eyes until I say you may open them."
Xena moved and sat on the couch next to Tess, facing her with her hands out and her palms up. Tess took the last few sips and turned towards her, putting her hands on the open palms, and closed her eyes.
"Please, keep them closed until I say otherwise."
Tess closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh, feeling a warmth spread through her body. The room was silent.
"You may open your eyes now."
Tess opened her eyes and looked into Xena's smiling face.
"We are done for today," Xena announced. "Come back tomorrow, when you are finished work."
Xena stood up and left the room, leaving Tess puzzled. The old man came in and gestured to the curtain.
"Have an enjoyable day," he said pleasantly.
"Thank you," Tess replied as she picked up her purse. "What do I owe you?"
"Nothing, for now," he replied with a smile. "Please, enjoy your day."
"Well, thank Xena for me. I will be back tomorrow."
"Yes, you will," he assured her.
Tess stepped outside into the warmth of the sun, feeling more relaxed and at ease than she had in a long time. She took her time, meandering about the shops, eventually heading for home as the sun began to drop. She was slightly confused, not realizing how much time had passed, and found herself hungry. On the way home she popped into the café and grabbed a salad and a tea, finding a CD in her purse when she reached for her wallet. It had a note telling her to play every evening at bedtime. She chuckled and returned home, wondering what was on the CD, and resisted the urge to listen to it until she was ready. In preparation, she dug her old CD player/radio out of the closet, dusted it off and plugged it in to make sure it worked. By ten she felt tired enough for bed and stripped down to her panties, climbing under the covers before turning the CD player on, and lay back with her eyes closed. The gentle sound of a light rain played, and in minutes she drifted off to sleep.
Tess woke up in the dark, the CD still playing, and looked at the clock. She had been asleep for a full four hours to her surprise, and lay her head back down. With her eyes closed her mind began to wander, and she felt the heat of arousal between her legs. Her hand slipped down and she touched herself, finding her panties wet, and thought of how long it had been since she had pleasured herself. She rubbed gently at first, then slipped her hand under the panties and between her folds. Her fingers worked her into orgasm in moments, and she arched her back and moaned as the enjoyable climax washed through her. She slumped down, let out a deep sigh, and drifted off to sleep.
*****
She turned off the alarm before it went off, as usual, but felt somewhat rested when she got out of bed. She showered, dressed, and headed for work, feeling a little better about the day ahead, and stopped in at the café for some tea and a muffin. The woman smiled when she approached the counter.
"Good morning," she chirped.
"Good morning," Tess replied. "Bran muffin and a green tea, please."
Tess glanced around the café, noticing a few people at the tables, and then watched her pour the tea. Her eyes dropped to her bum, and Tess felt a hint of arousal at the sight of the firm cheeks wrapped in denim. She shook her head and giggled to herself, wondering why she suddenly felt the urge to check out the lovely young woman, and found herself attracted to her. Tess looked away, embarrassed when she smiled at her and placed the tea and muffin on the counter.
"Thank you."
"Anytime," the woman replied with a smile. "See you tomorrow?"
"Yes, I think you will," Tess replied. "I like your tea."
"Good. You have a nice day," she grinned.
"You, too."
Tess arrived at her desk and sat her tea and muffin down before taking off her jacket. She was just sitting down when Evelyn appeared.
"Feeling better today, I assume?" she snarked.
"Yes, as a matter of fact I am," Tess smiled back. "You?"
"Oh, I... I am fine, thank you."
Tess sat quietly waiting for her to continue, but she just smirked and walked away. Fuck you she said in her head and unwrapped her muffin. She enjoyed it with the tea, and once finished, she began her work, ignoring the chatter and noise going on around her. For a change, she felt that she concentrate and block most of it out. By lunch, she was caught up and let Evelyn know.
"I'm all caught up, so I'm going for lunch."
Evelyn checked the time.
"Lunch isn't for another twenty minutes," she growled.
"I'm going now," Tess shrugged.
Without waiting for a reply she turned and walked away. Once outside she began to walk to the sandwich shop for her usual salad, changing her mind when she saw the hotdog cart, and strolled over it. The man smiled at her and she smiled back.
"What do you have?" Tess asked.
"Regular dog, footlong, smokie, bratwurst," he replied, gesturing to the grill.
The smokie caught her eye, the six-inch long and two-inch thick sausage having a certain appeal, and she pointed to it.
"One of those, please."
"Certainly," he replied with a wry smile. "Always a popular choice with the ladies."
She chuckled and watched as he placed it in the bun, offering her sauerkraut and mustard. She shrugged.
"Whatever you suggest," Tess replied.
"I could suggest a lot of things," he teased. "For this, I would do the kraut and mustard."
Tess realized that this middle-aged swarthy man was flirting with her, something she hadn't had happen in a very long time. She blushed slightly and gave him a shy smile when he handed it over.
"Anything else I could do for you, pretty lady?" he asked. "Perhaps take you for a drink this evening?"
"Do you hit on every girl that stops by?" she asked with a chuckle.
"No," he grinned. "Only the ones that choose the biggest sausage."
She blushed again, said thank you, and walked away. She was slightly embarrassed and a little flustered, and walked over to the stone wall to sit and eat. She couldn't help but giggle at herself when she opened her mouth wide to take the fat hotdog into her mouth, thinking of the big sausage comment, and found her lunch break enjoyable as she watched him joke and laugh with the people buying lunch. The afternoon passed quickly and once done for the day Tess headed for the little shop to visit Xena.
When she entered the shop the old man smiled and gestured for her to follow him.
"Good day, I will return with your tea," he announced once she passed through the beaded curtain.
"Thank you."
Tess took a seat on the couch and Xena entered the room, once more wearing the long flowing gown, and smiled at her.
"Hello," Xena welcomed. "Did you have a better day today?"
"Yes, I did," Tess admitted.
The old man put her cup on the table and handed a mug to Xena, then left without a word. Xena sat next to Tess, placed her mug on the table, and put her hands out with the palms up. Tess towards her and put her hands on the warm palms, once more feeling the warmth spread throughout her body, and closed her eyes.
"Oh, you met someone interesting today," Xena announced. "A young woman,... and a man."
"Uh, yes, I did," Tess admitted.
"Hmm, not a handsome man. A little older, somewhat charming though..."
"Uh, yes."
"He is attracted to you."
"Oh, I don't think so," Tess giggled.
"Yes, he desires you. As does the young woman."
Tess opened her eyes to see Xena smiling at her.
"Drink your tea and relax, dear," Xena encouraged. "It will take time for you to realize your appeal."
"How do you know all that?"
"No questions, just drink."
Tess drank her tea while Xena sipped on her mug, wondering how it was possible she knew about them.
