Day 26: Performances

Do I have to get up? Really? Temeka really wanted to sleep, but she knew her mother would be upset if she skipped school.
	Temeka rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as she went to the kitchen to have some of her father's leftover mushroom omelet. Father. Why is he gone again? "I know you miss your father. He has a lot of responsibility now that he's the Fire Chief," Meggan said as she consoled her daughter. "We'll see him tonight." Meggan felt convinced that her husband would come home tonight, but convincing a thing didn't make a thing so.
Meggan had the day off. Thank goodness, she thought. I tire of all the political performances going on in City Hall. Even I have to put on a performance, she reminded herself. At least there are some entertaining performers I can watch today.
	The first performer was certainly energetic and daring as she twirled a baton with flames.
The baton had other ideas, though. It did not twirl where the performer wanted it to twirl, and the flames took a sharp bite out of her rear end. "Yowwww!" That was the end of that performance.
	But it wasn't the end of the show. Another performer by the name of Spider Girl was introduced. Her eyes certainly did glow like a spider. They do glow, right? Meggan wondered, but it wasn't as important as watching the performance.
This acrobat was rather talented, flexible, and very well balanced. Interesting how those same skills are needed in the house of politics, but used in a different way. It was a good performance. Better leave while the going is good, Meggan thought as she left the park.
	Marlon was working on his own performance. Performance with a basketball, that is. He was thankful for a chance to relax from the stress of fires today. It gave him the chance to improve and maintain the performance of the fire alarm and truck.
Temeka certainly had her own performances of fantasy now that she had a costume chest to play around with. "I am the Queen of Roses!" she declared. "You will bow to my rule... after I smile and wave to you."
	Marlon did come home, and he was excited to cook something tasty up in the kitchen. His cell phone rang and twittered. Marlon felt like throwing it across the room and into the wall, but he controlled himself and answered. "Hi Marlon! It's Annalove. I have a great idea to help you reduce all that stress you've been feeling. It'll really rejuvenate you. Want to meet me at the Pool?"
It was just a pool, right? It was in public, so nothing wrong could happen there. And she was a friend who cared. It was nice to have someone who worked under you to also care about you too. "Sure, I'll be there in just a bit."
	The Queen of Roses sat down at her Royal Table to enjoy tonight's feast. She made it a point to explain that Queens do not eat or consume. They ENJOY the food.
Annalove was certainly enjoying the fact that Marlon showed up. She wrapped her soft hands around his neck and shoulders, giving them a good massage. "So what's this idea that you had?" Marlon was curious. Annalove smiled. "The pool is heated tonight. It will help your body relax. But in order to fully relax, you will need to remove all of your clothing." Marlon felt his heart jump. "Don't worry, Chief. I need to relax too, so you won't be alone. It'll be okay. You can trust me. You really need to relax, and this will help you. Don't worry, no one else will see you. We have this pool all to ourselves." Marlon pondered on this. Really, pondered. Annalove picked up on it. "Don't be so modest, Chief. I've been to medical school before, so you don't have anything that I've already seen. It'll be fine." Marlon nodded and began to undress. He could trust her. She was his friend.
	"C'mon in," Annalove said with a smile. "The water is wonderful."
It was wonderful. Just the right temperature. Annalove did know what she was talking about. The warm water across his whole body with no suit acting as a barrier was a wonderful sensation. He really did feel relaxed. Annalove came closer and leaned her warm, naked body behind his. She whispered softly into his ear, "Let's do something about all that stress worked up in your back."