Page 85 of The Best Man: Unfinished Business
Chapter Fifty-seven
Robyn
Lying still on the padded surface of Thema’s treatment table, Robyn folded her hands against her chest and concentrated on the sound of the ocean in the distance.
The smell of lemongrass, lavender, and soapy burned sage swirled in the air, familiar and soothing, reminding Robyn that coming to set up shop here at Thema’s was the absolute right decision.
Even after her decision to downsize and the relief that came with it, exhaustion still stuck with Robyn, and she wasn’t herself.
Keeping up with preteen Mia was a challenge, but nothing out of the ordinary.
And planning for her new, much smaller business had become manageable.
There were some late nights with Kwesi, but that was all enjoyment, all enjoyment.
His support and understanding had helped her bridge the rest of the changes that came along with building her much smaller presence, a beachfront offering with a small menu—letting staff go, signing last checks, selling the furniture and equipment, and preparing to hand the last set of keys over to Aboagye who had the nerve to wish her a “prosperous future” when she told him of her plans. Cue eye roll…
This was going to be the first step in her fresh start.
And more than that, this was the jump-start that she needed.
Thema had given her an energetic treatment—a Reiki massage, reading her body and helping unlock the flow of energies that usually allowed her to be a superwoman.
So, a strong tonic to go and a possible short meditation would be enough to set her along the path to full recovery of her much-needed balance.
“Okay, my dear,” Thema said, pouring her bowl of water into the sink. “You’re all set.”
Robyn sat up and began to arrange her clothing. “Thank you so much, Thema. I’m really looking forward to feeling like myself again.”
Thema raised an eyebrow. “Really?” she said. An unusual response.
“Well, yes, of course,” Robyn confirmed. “You always know exactly what to do. I’ve just been feeling so run down lately, but I know I’ve been out of balance. And it’s my own fault I know—”
“Give me your hands, dear,” Thema said as she approached Robyn, who now was sitting on the edge of the treatment table.
Robyn extended her hands toward Thema, who stood in front of her in her flowing embroidered white robe.
“Other side, palms up, please.”
Robyn turned her wrists to expose her palms to the air. Thema placed her thumbs on each of her wrists.
“Umm, um-hmmm,” she said.
Um-hmm? Thema’s methods were somewhat unique, but this woo-woo was working overtime.
She examined Robyn, focusing, it seemed, on her eyes.
Robyn wondered if they were still red and bloodshot, even though she’d started sleeping better in the past week.
She hoped that whatever Thema had to say had an easy answer, a cure she could leave with.
Tentatively, she asked, “Is there a tea or something, a tonic?”
“Oh no,” Thema said. “I don’t give tonics to my pregnant patients.”
“Your what?” Robyn heard herself say.
“Oh yes, dear, you’re pregnant. I’m quite certain of it. You haven’t noticed a missed period?”
“A what?” Robyn said again. She didn’t know if she’d be able to manage another word. “I…I…hadn’t paid much attention. I’m in perimenopause. It skips sometimes, but I thought I couldn’t possibly—”
“Oh, now see, anything is possible, Robyn. It’s still quite early, but I would say congratulations.”
When was my last period? Robyn thought. It’d been before Kwesi left, for sure. She hadn’t had it at all while Harper was in town. Oh. Harper? But with Kwesi she’d…they’d… Oh my God.