It's Friday night.
You're in bed.
And the week is finally over.
Let your head rest on the pillow.
Let your eyes close.
Now, in your mind...
there's a bath waiting for you.
The tub is already full.
Steam curling up off the water.
The mirror is all fogged over.
The lights are low.
Maybe one candle by the sink.
It smells like vanilla.
There's a big towel folded on the stool.
Your softest pajamas on top of it.
The faucet still drips a little.
Plink...
plink.
For the next six minutes...
this bath is just for you.
Nobody's knocking on the door.
Dip one hand in first.
Just right.
Warm, not too hot.
Now step in.
One foot.
Then the other.
Feel the warmth wrap your ankles.
Your calves.
Sit down slowly.
Let the water rise around your hips.
that's good.
You can feel the day start to loosen.
Right away.
The long hours at your desk.
The cold wind in the parking lot.
The rushed lunch.
The meeting that could've been an email.
All of it is on your skin.
And the water starts lifting it off.
Let your jaw unclench.
Let the steam warm your face.
Breathe in the warm, damp air.
And let it out slowly.
A long, heavy sigh.
Now slide down a little lower.
Let the water come up to your chest.
Feel your back soften against the tub.
The curve of it holding you.
Let your legs float, just a little.
They don't have to hold you up.
The water does that now.
Lower still.
The water reaches your shoulders.
Those shoulders carried a lot this week.
Let the warmth get into them.
Let them melt down...
under the surface.
Rest your head back on the edge.
Maybe on a rolled-up towel.
Your arms drift at your sides.
Your fingers go soft and pruney.
Breathe in...
And out...
sinking another inch.
Stay here a while.
Soak it all the way in.
If a thought about work floats up...
let it bob there like a bubble.
Then pop.
Nobody needs you right now.
Your phone is out of reach.
Now, when you're ready...
reach down with your toes.
Find the little chain for the plug.
Give it a gentle tug.
There it goes.
Hear the water start to drain.
That low, gurgling swirl.
Watch it spin down.
And picture your whole day going with it.
Every bit of the week.
Circling the drain...
and gone.
What's left is just you.
Warm and clean.
Now picture yourself stepping out.
Wrapped up in that big towel.
The bathroom is warm and steamy.
The tile is cool under your feet.
Just for a second.
Soft pajamas.
A few slow steps down the hall.
And you slip back into bed.
And here you are.
Warm skin under clean sheets.
The warmth is still in your muscles.
It stays for a long time.
The sheets are cool at first.
Then they warm to you.
Your body is loose.
Your cheeks are still a little pink.
Just the sound of water somewhere.
Trickling slowly away.
Breathing in...
And out...
Clean.
Calm.
The whole week, washed away.
Let the warmth carry you into sleep.
Goodnight.