She was flustered by my reaction. “I’m… I’m just trying to make you feel good. You’ve got knots and ching chi blockages from your feet to your neck. You don’t want me to get rid of those things?”
“Sex isn’t allowed-that’s what they told us at orientation. You’re a pretty woman, Norma. Beautiful, in the right gown, the right makeup. I’m attracted-obviously. But who am I supposed to believe?”
People paid to act like drill sergeants seldom receive compliments. I was surprised at how she softened. The woman touched a hand to her hair; her tone became confidential. “You’re right, but not all the way right. Novitiates aren’t allowed to have relations with their partners. It’s a way of purifying-so the man and woman can start fresh together after they leave.”
I asked, “But it’s okay to have sex with someone who’s not your partner?”
The woman gave me an odd look, her expression asking, Are you kidding?"It’s possible that’s why some clients come back. It’s a spiritual thing, experiencing other human beings. Just another form of therapy, like we’re doing right here. Don’t think of it as sex.”
When she reached to continue, I took her hands in mine, and squeezed them fondly. “It is tempting. You’re more than attractive-you’re spectacular when you get rid of that frown. But what would I tell my lady friend?”
Norma looked at me like I was crazy. “Man, why do you have to tell the woman anything? What happens in this room stays in this room, I promise you that.”
I was tempted to wink at one of the cameras. Instead, I said, “If you were dating a man who didn’t tell the truth, how would you feel?”
“Not surprised. I buried one man, got engaged to another, but it didn’t last. Neither told the truth.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. But I think the lady and I should at least be engaged before I start lying to her. Don’t you?”
Instead of bristling, Norma smiled, then chuckled. It was genuine, and she softened even more-a good-looking woman with tropical eyes, sweat beading on her skin where her blouse was open, showing rims of beige bra cupping her breasts.
“You don’t want me to go any further? You’re serious.”
“This time, yeah.”
“You must be in love with the woman.”
“Will I be breaking a monastery rule if I say no?”
Norma grimaced and gave me a warning look. “It’s plain you’re in love. You won’t do your therapy. I’m done trying to talk you into it, so you’re just gonna have to live with those toxins.”
Had Norma turned off the cameras?
Maybe. As I got dressed, she faced the wall, cleaning her hands with a fresh towel. Before turning, I noticed that she tried to block my view as she flicked toggle switches near the lights. The sound of ocean waves stopped. Maybe the cameras, too.
“The woman you brought, I saw her picture in a magazine. She’s pretty for a woman her age. Has looks, a fine education. You’ve got good taste, Mr. North. But you have to learn not to talk so free while you’re at the monastery.”
Yes, the cameras were off.
I said, “The walls have ears?”
“I’ve got ears, just like the rest of the staff. That’s what I’m telling you.”
Gossip traveled fast here, so I wasn’t surprised Norma knew I’d arrived with Senegal. But why would she bother to offer a warning?
“I hope I don’t get you in some kind of trouble by refusing that ching chi business-”
She cut me off. “Don’t worry your head about me. Worry about yourself. I expect that’s a full-time job for a man like you. I heard what went on at the Lookout this morning, when they were fishing the boy out of the water. I heard you told Fabron to mind his own damn business-be best if he showed some respect for the dead. Isn’t that what happened?”
I said, “Something like that,” recalling the face of the tiny woman in the maid’s uniform, picturing her smile.
“How’d Fabron swallow that? That man, he’s dangerous.”
“Then I’m glad you gave me the massage, not him. He wouldn’t have gotten nearly as far.”
She chuckled, shaking her head. “You are a piece of work, you know that? Only men ever said no to the treatment weren’t really men, if you understand my meaning. But there’s something I want you to know-personally, I mean. I was only offering my hands. Nothing else. Never have. That part of me’s not for sale. I’m no damn B-girl, like some others. I’m a health-care therapist. I take it seriously, whether you believe it or not.”
I said, “I believe you. I’m also starting to believe I was a fool to refuse. Maybe I should’ve chosen another spa. Next time, I will-and maybe ask you to come along.”
The dark eyes became more alert-a woman who rarely dropped her defenses. “Some men toss out lies like chocolates. Others use them as carrots. Which are you?”
I was buckling my belt. “When it comes to getting what I want? Both.”
The woman wasn’t expecting that. She studied my face for a moment. “You’re a funny one. Kind of a smart-ass and stubborn, but that’s okay. You’re… different. I’m surprised the bosses let you in here.”
“Bosses?”
“That mean-ass German woman at the desk. And the other one-the one who owns everything you see around here. Maybe you don’t know who I mean. The White Lady.”
She used it as a proper noun, capitalizing the words with an inflection that mixed respect and fear. White Lady.
I nearly asked, Are you talking about the Maji Blanc? Instead, I said, “I don’t know who you mean. A friend suggested we come here-a last-minute thing. What’s the owner’s name?”
“Doesn’t matter. She owns the place, that’s all I’m saying. I do my job.”
“Sounds as if you don’t like her. Tough boss, or a bad tipper?”
Norma said, “If that’s a joke, it’s not much of a joke. The White Lady’s never come in here for a massage. Never will, either.” She put it out there, hinting at something, but she wasn’t going to let it go much further.
“A spa owner who doesn’t get massages? That’s not much of an endorsement. She must have something to hide.”
Norma shrugged. “I never said that.” Done talking about it.
“Well, if she’s anything like the woman at the front desk, I wouldn’t like her. There’s not much chance I’ll last a week here. This spa business seems like a bunch of silly bullshit, to be honest.”
“The wrong person hears you say that, man, you’ll be out of here faster than you think.”
I smiled at her expression of concern. “You say that as if I should be afraid.”
“Maybe you should be afraid. You seem like a nice man-unusual, in my line of work. Could be, you should be real careful about what you say and do around here.”
“Friendly advice?”
“That’s right.”
“I’m flattered, but why?”
“Because of the boy you saw them hauling from the sea this morning. You showed respect. He was my…” The woman turned, and began folding towels. “… he was my nephew. The damn people who work here, they pretended not to even notice his body floating down there, but you took the time. You showed respect.”
I said, “I’m very sorry.”
“Me, too. You don’t know. He was a fine young man. Had a compass in his head that kept him steady-like you. I wished I’d known him better, but I… I didn’t get the chance. That boy could have been something.”
“What was his name?”
“His name was Paul, but-” Norma paused for several seconds as she concentrated on towels. “-but people called him Rafael, so I guess that was his name.”
It was a complicated subject, apparently. I decided not to press. “My name’s Marion. Friends call me Doc. Okay?”
“You’re a real one?”
“No. A nickname.”
“Then you watch yourself… Doc. There is somethin’ different about you, and the bosses don’t miss much.”
“You lost me.”
“Senegal Firth-you two don’t fit. She doesn’t like men… not nice men, anyway. Sometimes that’s the only way the cold ones can let go. And I heard you’re from Florida. Yesterday, a very pretty woman about my age showed up. She’s got a spa business same place you live-Florida. Kind of strange, a pretty woman checking in alone.”