“Cool shit. Look at you baby mother, coming through for me. I’ll call him later today. I appreciate you for always holding down the home front.”
I rolled my eyes playfully as I responded. “Duh, if I don’t then who else will. And please stop calling me that. How many times do I have to tell you my correct title? I am Olive, your child’s mother, and you will put some gotdamn respect on my shit.” Jasiel laughed in my ear while I smirked.
“You right, my apologies, but let me go so I can be up in a couple hours to call Jo-Jo.” I got ready to hang up when he called out to me.
“Ay, Olive—” He paused and I already knew why. Even though Jasiel and I weren’t together, had never been, it was a common love there that we both respected. Our family dynamic wasn’t traditional by a long shot, but we were.
Jasiel was my one-night stand guy who stepped up, but we never pursued a relationship. For one, he was leaving for basic training, and two, I knew my life was here. Angie was my top priority at the time, then logically it just made sense to raise my baby in a stable environment without the chance of moving. Since finding out I was pregnant and having Jo-Jo, Jasiel had been stationed on three different bases.
“Yeah, me too. Be safe and call us later.” I hung up on that note just as we reached my floor.
Tunk stepped off first, double checking the hallway before using his hand to guide me.
“Good morning, Olive,” he said in the same nonchalant tone he had given me every weekday morning for the last five years. It was a step up from where we started. When I first met him through the agency, he wouldn’t even call me Olive. I was Ms. Reed for the first year and a half until I threatened to let him go for being impersonal. It was petty, but I was serious. I told him he couldn’t protect me if he didn’t know me, which was statistically true. I needed Tunk to treat me like a sister and know the important people in my life, like Jo-Jo just in case he was ever here with me for whatever reason.
People tended to go harder to protect themselves and those they cared about. Money wasn’t enough to make someone always want to risk their lives to save someone else’s. I needed to be on the care list for Tunk since I was paying him to protect me.
“Morning, Tunk. I hope you’re hungry, I got you the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich you like from Morningside.”
He nodded just as we reached my door and he opened it.
“I appreciate you. Today was little man’s first day, huh?” I let out a low sigh. He moved to the sink to watch his hands before reaching into the bag to grab his sandwich.
“Yes and he gave me hell. Breakfast might have saved my ass today, but I know tomorrow I’ma have to try another trick.” Tunk laughed as he set his sandwich on the counter while I began to open the blinds, then readjusted the temperature on the thermostat.
“He’ll be aight. My nieces are going to a summer camp too. My brother had to deal with the same thing. Well, from the oldest… the youngest was all smiles and ready to finally be a part of the big kid crew.”
This was the side of Tunk he mostly kept to himself. His family was his personal business that I never asked questionsabout because it had nothing to do with his job. Him knowing me was all I cared about. He would share tiny details here and there, but I didn’t know names, only that it was him, his younger brother who had two daughters, and their dad.
“Well hopefully Jo-Jo can make some friends today so tomorrow he isn’t giving me the blues. I had no time to properly get ready this morning,” I said as I turned on the cameras and the playlist for the living room.
“My first one shou—” Knocking on the door had me moving to get it while Tunk moved to the second bedroom where his work area was. He didn’t go far, depending on the client. Sometimes he would leave the unit and wait in the hallway, but since today was a new client, he would be close.
I went to answer the door. I wasn’t surprised to see a man on the other side. Most of my clients were men but I did get a few women which I was fine with too. I stepped aside and waved him in.
I could tell from his hunched shoulders and his dropped head that he was extremely shy.
“Hi. I’m Olive. And you’re Tim?” He nodded as he walked inside.
“Well, welcome. When I originally spoke to your therapist on the phone, she informed me that you wanted to try my services so you could possibly be more intimate with your girlfriend. Is that still the case?”
“Yes. Can I say, I’m still not totally convinced cuddling a stranger will help though.”
I chuckled lightly as I ushered him toward the table so he could sign the proper consent forms.
“Well, for starters, I’m a professional who cuddles to help break down those barriers you might not know you have with physical touch with others. I’m also here to hopefully find possible ways to make this happen with your girlfriend. Tim, it’sokay if you need to be the little spoon sometimes. Some men aren’t comfortable with the idea but still yearn for that closeness. So here we find other ways to make it happen without feeling as if you’re being emasculated. Or maybe it’s a simple act of just crossing legs that works for you. Either way, I want you to be comfortable with me so you can implement that last act of intimacy in your relationship. Now, before we get started with the cuddling, I will go over some very necessary boundaries and guidelines in play to keep us both safe.”
Tim nodded and I proceeded with the code of conduct I had to follow to run a successful business while he went through the paperwork.
“Okay, to start this off, during your sessions, please come completely clear minded. Meaning not under the influence of any drugs or alcohol, that includes medications that alter your mind or mood. Since this came as a referral from your therapist, I am aware of your mental health condition, but if any physical issues arise during the weeks of your sessions, please let me know because we do a lot of physical activities here. Also, please wear comfortable clothes. Pajamas are okay, within reason. No matter what happens, please remain strictly professional in this environment with me as I will with you. These cuddle sessions are strictly professional. Also be mindful of your hygiene habits while under my services. And last but not least, please inform me whenever something is uncomfortable for you or if you like a position. That way I know what not to do or to add more of. Do you have any questions? Or would you like something to drink before we get started?”
Tim finished signing the last form just as I wrapped up. His smile was timid as he shook his head.
“Well, then, shall we?” I got up and made my way to the massive couch I had here. It had deep cushions and lots of space. It could almost double as a full-size bed, perfect for cuddling.
I sat and patted the space next to me. I wanted Tim to make the decision on his own.
“Remember we only do what you want and are comfortable with, Tim. We can start close and just hold hands if you want,” I suggested. Tim scoffed humorlessly but was still hesitant to move.
