The Sauna

The intense humidity was something that I was unaccustomed to. Sweat was seeping from pores I didn’t know I had. I was used to wet armpits and the tiny beads of moisture occasionally forming on my upper lip and forehead. What I wasn’t prepared for was the tickling sensation of perspiration running from my neck, channeling its way through my cleavage, and downward.

My bare ass had already soaked the towel I was given to sit on, but what really made me laugh was watching the sweat collect on my nipples, bead up, and drip onto my bare legs. I can’t explain why, but I found that to be very entertaining.

I leaned back against the cedar wall panels and closed my eyes. I had never felt so relaxed. When I opened my eyes, I stared at the thermometer above the doorway. The aptly colored red-hot glowing numerals had risen to one hundred seventy degrees.

Suddenly, a burst of cold air brought my wandering mind back to reality. I froze, metaphorically speaking, when I was joined in the sauna by a man. He nodded, smiled, and sat down at the other end.

I assumed that I had private time when I paid the fee for the unit, hence I didn’t feel the need for a cover-up. I was undecided whether to grab the towel I was sitting on and wrap myself in it, or get up and leave. I did neither.

My gentleman companion, at least I hoped he was a gentleman, again acknowledged my presence with a smile and a nod, pointed to me, and then to himself. I wasn’t sure how to interpret his gestures until he stood up and unwrapped his towel. He, too, was without any clothing. I hope he didn’t notice me gawking, but my eyes were instantly drawn to his genitals as he folded his towel, and sat back down on it.

I was comforted by the fact that he didn’t move next to me, but still unsure of what to do next. Alongside the thermometer on the wall was a timer. It indicated that my allotted time had far from elapsed yet. I finally got up the nerve to say something and attempt to overcome my feeling of vulnerability.

“Excuse me, but are you sure you have the right sauna? I paid for this one,” I said, pointing at the timer, “and my time is not up yet.”

He smiled and nodded.

“Did you hear me?” I asked rather abruptly.

He looked at me, smiled, nodded, and then said something, very politely, I might add, in a language that I did not understand. It strangely reminded me of the Swedish Chef character on the Muppets, only with a bit more clarity.