For the next week, I hustled harder than ever. I went to every spa I knew of and taught 2-3 classes a day. I even went back to our gym in Willow Creek to see about teaching, but they had a full-time instructor. We were in no way hurting financially, but I hadn’t worked since we got engaged. And honestly? My work activities slowed significantly when I moved in with Sophia. I wanted to spend time with her and be home when she arrived, but she got off work so early it just threw off my whole day. The money tree was in progress and my SimTube video was still doing great, so I didn’t have to work so hard. But I felt compelled to, especially after our last conversation about the money tree and my family history. I had to ensure my family would be set up for success by doing any and everything I could while I had few obligations. I didn’t enjoy getting home late and seeing my wife only a few hours a day, but I was willing to sacrifice for a short while.
One morning, I woke up and caught Sophia doing push-ups outside. When we chatted on Social Bunny back in the day, she always talked about how much she loved fitness, but I never saw evidence of that when I moved in. Her job sucked the life out of her, leaving her too physically and emotionally drained to do the things she loved. But she was free now and started prioritizing her health and wellness. Her delicious curves would start slowly disappearing, and I mourned my loss but took solace in knowing she’d be happier and healthier.
An idea fell on me, so I went outside to greet her.
“Good morning, my sweet.”
I grabbed her hand and kissed it so over-the-top dramatic like they did in the old movies.
“You’re awfully romantic this morning!”
That was a new one. I never saw myself as a romantic.
“I’m going to teach at the Desert Bloom Resort today. Would you like to come?”
“Really? You want me there?”
I chuckled.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“I don’t know… Some sims get nervous about friends and loved ones seeing them in action.”
“Oh. Well, that’s definitely not me, seeing as I used my friends and family to get started.”
“Okay then! Let me text Rashidah. She was gonna come by this afternoon, but I’ll tell her to come later.”
We ate, got dressed, and headed to the spa. The class was almost full, which made me happy, but I never had so many sims unwilling to try. Like, I knew everyone came with varying levels of fitness, and I never did complicated routines because of that. Alternate poses existed for that very reason, but half of my class just stood there. Why pay and not participate? It must be nice to have money to waste.
Sophia had taken a mat in the back, so I couldn’t see her very well. But every time I caught a glimpse of her, she struggled. By the end of class, she looked miserable.
“Everything hurts,” she said. “I pulled muscles I didn’t even know I had!”
I didn’t enjoy seeing her miserable, but her talking about muscles she didn’t know she had made me chuckle a little. I knew just the thing to cheer her up.
“Come with me.”
I led her upstairs to the massage rooms and found a masseuse who wasn’t busy.
“Hi,” I said.
“Oh, hey. You’re the yoga guy, right?”
“Yeah, I’m Luca. This is my wife, Sophia. Would you mind if I borrowed your table? I’ll pay if-“
“Have at it, bro. I get paid the hour. But if you don’t mind, I’m gonna stay in the room. Can’t let them see me slacking, ya know?”
“Sophia? Do you mind if she stays?”
“Not at all! This is so exciting and romantical!”
She changed into a towel and hopped on the table, and I attempted to melt away her pain.
I wondered why she thought it was romantic, though. Was it because of her history? Or was it mine? I had an unused skill, and my wife had a need. Was being a good husband romantic? Regardless, I was glad she enjoyed the massage. Too bad weren’t alone, though. I could have massaged everything and made sure she had a very happy ending. But I behaved, and Sophia left feeling much better. Maybe I should get a table for the new house….
She wanted to check out the rest of the facility as she’d never been before, so I went downstairs to the gym. The punching bag made me remember me, Maia, and Dub’s debate about the best exercise, and I told him I gained all my muscle from yoga, never lifting weights or punching a bag. I went a few rounds, and it was honestly kind of fun. I let out steam I didn’t know I had and felt my muscles engaging and contracting so much I knew if I kept it up I’d be walking around looking like Llama Man. No disrespect to him, but the superhero look was not for me. The weights and punching bag would have to remain an occasional activity.
Rashidah came by later, just like Sophia said. I didn’t want to be rude and ignore her, but I also didn’t want to be all up in their business, so I stayed and chatted with them for a little while before excusing myself. It occurred to me I hadn’t checked on the money tree in a while, so I hurried outside to see if it was okay.
Good thing I caught it when I did because it was full of weeds, and the leaves had withered. The soil was still pretty damp from my initial watering, so I guess the weeds were choking it out. I never aspired to be a gardener. Apart from Mama making me water and weed her soy plants, I didn’t know a thing about it or care. But my family’s future now required me to get on board. Luckily, I only had one tree to tend, not an entire garden. I could manage that for a lifetime of financial freedom.
