Penny Takes the Stage

Chapter 16: The Build Up

"First, you need a wax," Yoko said, nodding authoritatively. "I mean, how long has it been?"

"Not that long!" Penny said indignantly. "Just because I'm not seeing anyone, that doesn't mean I let things go down there, I'll have you know. Besides, I don't get waxed. I just neaten things up with a razor myself. I don't like strangers messing around in my nether regions."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. I just did it a couple of days ago, as a matter of fact. I wouldn't be against a leg and arm pit waxing, though."

"Right," Yoko responded with a smile as they sat across from each other in the coffee shop. "Why don't we go together? I could use a little clean up myself."

"You could? Who are you cleaning up for?" Penny asked curiously.

"I don't have to be cleaning up for a man," Yoko answered. "I like to keep things tidy, just for myself. Besides, you never know when you might meet someone interesting, you know?"

"Really? And you'd just sleep with him, just like that?" Penny asked, fascinated. "Like, before you got to know him or anything?"

"Anyway, let's go together, what do you say?" Yoko asked, flipping her day planner open and ignoring her friend's question. Yoko was just about the last person Penny knew who still used a pen and paper calendar, refusing to upgrade to her phone's much more dependable iCalendar. "We can get a massage, facials, the whole body love thing, okay?" She found a flyer in her planner and made a happy noise. "In fact, I have this coupon for a friend's new place, just opened. I bet she'd take us today, lemme give her a call."

"Today?" Penny's voice was plaintive. "I thought we were going to get lunch and see that movie? This is my only day off for the next fifteen days, Yoko!"

"Exactly." Yoko was already dialing her phone. "If we don't do it today, when can we go?" She held up a finger as the person on the other end picked up. "Hello, Sheila? This is Yoko. Yeah, hi! You have time for me and a friend today? The works, please. Oh, except she doesn't want a bikini wax. Right. I could plug you on all my social media, mm hm." She listened for a moment. "Penelope Patrick? She doesn't really do the Instagram or Twitter, but she's in a play with a huge cast, and she could talk you up to everyone. Sure." She listened again. "Half an hour? No problem. Sounds great. Thanks! See you then." She hung up and grinned at Penny. "We're in, but we better hustle."

"Oh, all right." Penny was glum. "Do they at least have sandwiches there?"

🥂🍣🥂🍣🥂🍣🥂🍣🥂

The place did not have sandwiches, but they had sushi and champagne, which was even better, and Yoko and Penny left four hours later, feeling amazing, and, truth be told, slightly tipsy.

"Okay, girlfriend, I'll see you next week for the 4th," Yoko said as she kissed her Penny goodbye.

"Don't get all excited, it's not a party or anything, just you, me, Cam, and his friend Simon," Penny cautioned. "We can see the fireworks from his terrace, so it will just be a nice, quiet evening."

"I'll be there. Toodles!"

Penny splurged and took a cab home, not wanting to ruin how good she felt by getting all hot and sweaty. All of her joints felt loose, as did her muscles. Her pores felt open, her skin felt fresh. and though she felt a little raw from the wax, it hadn't been too long between appointments, and she new that the toner the esthetician had applied would take care of any rash.

"Wow, look at you," Cam said when she walked in.

"What do you mean?"

"You just look like you feel really good," he clarified, leaning in to kiss her as she kicked her sandals off. "And you smell like a million dollars," he added.