Smiling Starfish

Garnet makes good on her promise to treat a friend's Seasonal Affective Disorder...

The link appeared out of no-where. “Garnet’s Virtual Salon” it said. Click me, it said.

“Well,” thought P. , “ This is hardly kidnapping, but I might as well check it out...”

Click.

A sensation akin to an electric shock zapped P.’s finger, and traveled up his arm. The shock hit his body and made him wince, closing his eyes. The sensation then changed to one of sharp descent, as though he were careening down the steepest grade of a roller coaster ride...

The short journey ended with our startled traveler landing on his feet. He felt so weak that he would have fallen, had not a hand grasped his own...

“Ah, there you are! Welcome to Garnet’s Virtual Salon, P.!” He opened his eyes and looked at the lady to whom the voice, and presumably the salon, belonged. Eyes adjusting to the dim light, he took in the figure of a tall, dark haired woman clad in a long, loose gown... a mumu? “Garnet.” he murmered, shaking his head and rubbing his eyes.

“’Tropical’ is the theme of the day, my dear.” she said cheerfully as she led him forward “Nothing like tropical fun to banish the winter blues, you know. So... Aloha!” she smiled as she placed a fragrant, colorful lei around his neck.

She led her visitor slowly into the room. Plush seats and round tables. Flowers and candles. Dark red. Everything dark red. Garnet red.

“Have a seat.” she commanded gently, while he, still disoriented from dizzying ride, hardly had a choice but to sink into the soft chair.

“Now drink this.” she said as she placed a glass containing a frothy, opaque liquid in front of him, “It’s an innovative herbal concoction with marvelous properties for combating SAD...” she stated, “Almost as good as the light treatment... which we’ll start as soon as you’re ready. Now drink up.”

P. took a tentative sip. Mm. Not bad. Cool, sweet, and a tiny bit bitter. As he finished the glass he felt his disorientation begin to take leave, and a feeling of... “Energized relaxation, if that makes any sense.” he thought to himself.

“Excellent!” said Garnet cheerfully, jumping up & down with child-like excitment, “Now follow me...” she chirpped as she skipped out of the room and down a hall.

“Here we are!” she said as she reached the third door on the right in the long hallway lined with doors...

The words ‘Light Treatment’ were embossed in gold cursive on the dark wood door.

“Step right in, P.!” she said as she flung the door open.

“But, um” said P. hesitantly, “It’s... dark.” He shot a puzzled glance at his hostess, obviously wondering how a dark room could provide light therapy.

Garnet giggled. “Just hit the switch.” she smiled, “That’s right, it’s on the left hand side by the doorsill, just like a light switch.”

He reached out his hand, felt the switch, obediently flipped it, and....

The room disappeared! As did Garnet, though he could hear an echo of her giggle as the transformation took place....

Outside. Seaside. Crashing of waves, shrieking of gulls... sand & palm trees...

Only feet away, a deluxe cushioned lounge chair awaited him.

“Smiling star fish?” he exclaimed as he examined the pattern on the fabric of his swim trunks, having noticed that his winter garb had disappeared along with Garnet & her Salon, “Very funny, Garnet.” he smiled as he lay down on the soft cushions.

The sun was warm, but not too hot. Light, but not too bright. Just right. Profoundly relaxing...

How long he lay there, soaking in the light, listening to the waves, breathing the delicious salt air, he had no idea. All he knew is that he must have eventually drifted off...

When he woke up he was... in his own bed!. P. sat up, feeling very refreshed, but somewhat puzzled. “Maybe it was just a...” he stopped as he noticed something in the bedclothes. A business card. P. picked it up & examined it. Pink. Embossed on the front were the words “Garnet’s Virtual Salon- Pleasure Pure and Simple”. He turned it over. On the reverse side, in red ink handwriting, it said “Thanks for dropping by, P. God bless. Love, Garnet”