“C’ mon, get in,” Brian said. “What do I do with all this space?”

He and Cindy had finally gotten away from Atlanta’s traffic jams that Friday afternoon and were spending the weekend camping near the Atlantic Ocean. They'd brought a double sleeping bag along.

Cindy gave him that ‘look’. “And these dishes,” she asked, “who’s going to do them?”

“Leave them till morning. My Lord, are we gonna act like we’re at home?” Brian said.

“Well, now that you mention it,” Cindy said. “If I do leave them till morning, what’s the benefit?”

“Benefit?” said Brian. “Oh, one benefit isn’t enough. There are several.”

Cindy arched her brows. “I’m listening,” she said.

“Well, the first benefit is an amazing therapeutic massage by the one and only,” Brian said.

“Would that be Brian Frost now?” Cindy said.

“Good guess.”

Cindy was in the sleeping bag with Brian in no time.

“You’re a stockbroker,” Brian said. “Your body’s stressed. Or was, at least. A few more minutes with Masseur Brian and you won’t even remember how stress feels.”

“Oh, that’s lovely. That’s fine. Don't stop,” Cindy said.

“God, I love you,” Brian said. He continued massaging Cindy’s shoulders and neck. “Appreciate you so much. You don’t know what a relief it is for a man not to have to worry about his wife. That she’s cheating on him or some such.”

Brian felt Cindy’s body tense suddenly.

“With someone you know,” he said, “or with someone you don’t know. A relief.”

There was about a minute’s silence.

“Relax, honey, just relax,” Brian said.  His voice had changed. “Let that stress out.”

“I’m trying,” Cindy said. “Trying. What’s the next benefit?”

“Oh,” said Brian. “The others had better wait till morning. I feel damn sure I have a migraine coming on.”