Chapter 8: Hydrotherapy

Making good on her announcement, in the following week Sally had a jetted spa (with seats for six) installed on her backyard patio. Sally and Carl received complete instructions on maintaining the system and filter. A sign was ordered:

The Cauldron Nude Bathing ONLY!

In the hot water, Sally was enthralled. “I should have done this years ago. Oh, wait, wait, I found a jet! Ahh. Cecie! You gotta try this!” “Sorry, I’m starting my period, and I’m out of tampons.”

“Worm! Get out and get to the drugstore, right now! Tell him your preference. Get her some pain pills too. Move, damn you! Sorry, Cecie, I don’t use tampons any more. How are you doing otherwise?”

“Oh, Sally, I’m so happy. Carl’s my handsome prince, and he’s so sweet. I know he wants to get back on his career path after he finishes this anti-virus project.” “Why don’t you head downstairs and rest; I’ll send him down to you when he gets back.”

Later, Carl returned with his bag from the drugstore. Cecie was cramping and sad. “Maybe you should sleep upstairs. I’m not much fun tonight.” “Not a chance. Take these pills; here’s some water. I bought you some pads, wear one tonight in your panties and tomorrow you’ll have these tampons.”

He unwrapped and powered up a new heating pad, and cuddled up against her with one hand holding her boob.

“I called Darlene, she will cover your shift along with her sister Becky. Sally will look after you tomorrow while I wrangle the Nerdettes. Close your eyes and rest easy. I love you.”

In the morning Carl eased out of the bed without waking Cecie. He threw on his work clothes and stopped at the diner. “Darlene, thank you for helping out, and thank you also, Becky. Cecie was sad last night, and it wasn’t even my fault.”

“Just let us know tonight if she can come back tomorrow.”

At CCS the Nerdettes could tell something was bothering Carl. But he maintained his cool and bent to his work. After a few hours they broke for lunch, but he didn’t eat. He just paced, fretfully.

Lisa touched his shoulder. “Please, tell us. Is Cecie OK?” “He coughed, nervously. I shouldn’t say, especially to you, Lisa.” “Oh, no you don’t, I already apologized—twice—to Cecie. We are fine! What is wrong?“

“She started her period. She couldn’t use the new spa on the patio. She didn’t want me to sleep, yes, sleep in the bed with her. I just have a bad feeling, like there’s something else.” Quietly, “I love her.”

“Let’s get back to work, everybody. I need to occupy my mind.”

A couple hours later, his phone rang. “Service Corps, this is Carl Watson. Yes, Sally, what’s up?” He put the call on speaker. “Carl, her cramps were bad so I put her in the spa. When she got out she started retching and passed out. I made sure she was breathing and called 9–1–1. She’s in an ambulance going to East County Medical Center. Carl? Carl! Don’t go crazy and crash. I will meet you there. Bye.”

Helen was the oldest and took charge immediately. “Lisa! Get his chair! Teresa, get his keys. You know his car, ‘Mimi’?” “Yes, Mimi the Miata.” “I know you can drive a stick. Marianne, help her. Park it at the back door with the engine running. Teresa, can you get from here to ECMC?” “You bet.”

Helen crouched down and spoke to Carl directly. “Listen to me. Cecie needs you. You and Aunt Sally are her advocates. Do not let her down. Daddy will come get us, and your boss can close up here for you. We’re all praying for her. Now get your ass in that midget car and go!”