Chapter 7: Table service
"Do you massage all your clients?"
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"I'll bring it over to you!" Ben calls out as he sees Tully enter the sandwich shop at his usual time. He receives a nod of recognition from the therapist as he makes his way to his window seat.
"Don't advertise table service Ben. We don't have the staff." Malroy complains in Ben's ear, to which Ben ignores as he puts Tully's usual order of his sandwich and milk together.
Tully makes his way to sit by the window. His gaze looks out to the outside world. "Your order." Ben says, getting Tully's attention.
"Thankyou." Tully replies, with a smile, pulling the tray of food towards him.
Ben glances back at the counter to see Malroy momentarily distracted with the soft drinks dispenser, so he takes the opportunity to grab the stool next to Tully and sit down, but once sat, he finds his mind going blank and ends up just gazing upon Tully's profile as he takes a bite of his baguette.
Tully is very much aware of Ben boring a hole into his cheek in his peripheral vision and turns to look at him. "Is there something you want to ask?" He says through his full mouth of food.
Ben's mind is still as empty as his bank account, as even the pressure of being put on the spot doesn't evoke any words from his mouth. Tully puts down his sandwich and swallows his mouthful. He takes a drink of milk to help clear his throat and turns to face Ben a little more head on. "Do you want me to help you find the words?" Tully says as he reaches out and takes one of Ben's hands.
Ben is taken aback by the boldness of the action. Even though Tully had done this already at their first session, in order to calm his nerves, it had been just the two of them. This felt a bit exposing. He looks down at the thick chrome ring around Tully's thumb and for some reason, it makes him feel instantly at ease. "I, I um...just want to say thank you... you know, for spending this time with me. To help me know myself, or however you phrased it."
"My pleasure..." Tully says with a big grin, before the hand is removed and Ben feels a strange vulnerability again. "...But I think we have a way to go yet," he adds as he again turns his attention back to his food. "You most definitely need more massages, especially if you are still unable to tell me your simplest thoughts."
Ben smiles at this. Yes he would totally be up for that. "That's good." He says, adjusting his sitting position a little.
"Yes, my clients always seem to appreciate my tactile approach." Tully says, but Ben feels the warm feeling he had just been given now turn into something else. Ben had forgotten that this holistic therapy thing Tully did was his actual job. Ben wouldn't be the only one to get the Tully experience and felt a bit envious... but he felt like he needed to check...
"Do you massage all your clients?" Ben wonders.
"Well, it depends." Tully replies as he gazes out of the window.
"On what?" Ben says as he leans forwards a bit more.
"There is a process Ben. In order for someone to reflect deeply upon themselves, they need to feel totally at ease. Some people who visit my space are already a way into that process, so don't need the hands on approach." Tully raises his hands and wiggles his fingers as he says it and all Ben can do is enjoy the visual. "You however are the most pent up individual I have come across so far. I think it may be a while before you are at the self reflecting stage."
"So, I will need lots more massages, it that what you're saying?" Ben tries to sound a bit deflated by the idea, when inside he could think of nothing better.
"I'm sorry, I hope you're not too disappointed." Tully says, a sad kind of smile gracing his face. "It's just that true honesty, I feel, comes with a clear mind."
"Well if that's what it takes, I guess I'll have to endure it." Ben sighs looking down as if deflated, but Ben couldn't believe his fortune. Having a weekly massage from this guy in exchange for sandwiches. Deal of the century... but soon enough his fortune fades...
"Ben! Quit slacking!"
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