the massage parlor

sore from a week of work

i call up

the local massage parlor to see

if they're back

in business

after the plague subsided.

they are.

they can take me in at eight.

but only

Peter is available.

Vanessa doesn't work here anymore,

the woman says,

i think she's back

in Moscow.

oh, i say. disappointed.

but Peter is great.

you'll love him.

deep tissue is his specialty.

he likes to use hot oils

and crack your spine with

his elbows.

he used to be a gymnast.

so, should i book you.

an hour with Peter, at 8.

umm.

can i get back to you on that?

i might just take a hot

bath today.

i have a new bag of sea salts

i want to try out.