Page 62 of Save a Wish

“There are no rules,” I said. “Recline or sit wherever you’re going to feel most likely to relax.”

“Do you have wine in your tote bag too?” she asked. “Because a couple glasses is usually what it takes to get me to relax and even then my shoulders are still up here.” She lifted her shoulders so high they touched her earlobes.

“I promise no alcohol is needed to relax,” I said. “We’re going to get you the serenity you crave with sound waves.” I gestured to the singing bowls. “I’ll suggest lying on the couch and closing your eyes if that feels good to you.”

“Sure.” Marilynn lowered to the couch. “My sister booked this appointment for me. She attended your free event at Hartley’s Nest.”

That explained the sound-baths-are-silly vibe I was getting off her. She had her doubts about the effectiveness of mindful techniques, but I was going to change her mind, right here, right now.

“That was nice of your sister to treat you to something to improve your wellness,” I said.

“I think she mostly did it because she’s sick of me bitching about the past and moaning about the future.” Marilynn wiggled a little on the couch, no doubt trying to find the most comfortable position. “Gracie tends to always see the glass as half full. She’s sunshine and rainbows, while I’m storm clouds and rain with a side of hellfire.”

“Rain can be soothing too,” I said, “and I’d think a good downpour would extinguish the hellfire.”

A laugh bubbled out of Marilynn. A true, deep, belly laugh and she turned her head to look at me. “You’ve got a good point.” She looked back up at the ceiling and closed her eyes. “Okay, chime me to a better place with those bowls, Sadie.”

I played the bowls for a few moments, letting the resonating tones wash over Marilynn. I then led her in the meditation, taking her into an imaginary garden of wildflowers with vibrant colors and sweet aromas and the pleasant dribble of a stream. I could visibly see my client’s body relax as I took her deep, deeper, deeper into this serene scene.

I continued on the singing bowls, filling the room with healing frequencies and making sure to incorporate that low root chakra bowl as much as possible. Gradually, I slowed my playing, ending with a few light taps until the vibrating melody faded away.

Next, I picked up my tribal drum and stood over Marilynn. Her face looked more peaceful than when I’d first come into her house. All the stress lines were smoothed, her jaw slack, her breathing rhythmic. I hit the drum and moved it along Marilynn’s body, letting the vibrations caress her.

As with the singing bowls, I let the drumming quietly peter out until we were just two people existing in the silence.

“Take a moment to focus on your inhaling and exhaling only. Nothing else is a concern. Just your breath. In. Out,” I said. “In . . . out . .”

Marilynn took several deep breaths timed with my cues.

“Remember that now is all that matters,” I said. “The past cannot be changed or undone. The future is not known. All we have is the present moment.”

I played the drum for a few more moments then guided Marilynn to slowly open her eyes.

She blinked, her gaze focused on the ceiling at first before coming to rest on me where I stood beside the couch, holding my drum. Slowly, a smile crept across her face.

“Holy shit, Sadie! That was amazing. I feel amazing. You’re amazing.” She swung her legs over the side of the couch and sat up. “All we have is the present moment. I need to make a sign of that sentence and hang it where I’ll see it all the time.” She stretched out her neck by bending her head to the left then the right. “In this present moment, I have so much gratitude for your talents. I have to admit when my sister said she booked this session for me, I didn’t believe it would make a difference, but it totally did.” She stood. “Do you have time maybe next week for another session?”

“Let me check my schedule.” I retrieved my phone from my tote bag and navigated to my website, instantly thinking of the man who created it for me.

“Wow. What was that smile for?” Marilynn asked. “It reached from ear to ear.”

I covered my mouth with my hand, but Marilynn shook her head.

“Never cover a smile like that, Sadie. You let that shit shine.”

“There’s another sentence for a sign,” I joked, making us both laugh. “I was smiling over the person who made this website for me. He did a great job.”

“Your smile wasn’t only about business though, was it?”

My cheeks heated. “No.”

Marilynn clapped. “Wonderful. I hope he’s making all your present moments delightful.” Which sounded like encouragement to live in the here and now with Beckett and to not worry about revealing my past.

“He sure is,” I said. “And, thanks to his technological genius, he’s making your present moment delightful as well because I do have some available session times next week.”

We booked Marilynn another meditation, sound bath, and aromatherapy session. I then packed up my singing bowls and made my way to the front door.

“Do you have business cards?” Marilynn asked as she opened the door for me. “Remember those idiots I mentioned earlier? Some of them are local idiots and they could definitely benefit from your skills, which would also benefit me if they were able to get to the level of chill I feel right now.”