The pen slides smoothly over the thin strip of paper, as the blonde slides into habitual behavior.
The small binder is pushed to the end of the table, card returned to her wallet and her folders placed back into her briefcase, as she slides her body across the cool material of the booth.
“You do that well.”
Her shoulders tense at the unexpected interruption of routine. “Why thank you, I must have too much practice.” Turning, she slides her purse further up on her shoulder, “What do you want John?”
“To say Hi?” He shrugs and then smiles broadly with a slight wave, “Hi.”
“Hi.”
She goes to move around him, but stops as she sees he is not going to move out of her way.
Looking up at him, he speaks, “Don’t suppose I can offer you a cup of coffee, can I?”
“No, had mine already.”
“Nor food.”
“Had that already too. John, I was just leaving.”
“But it is starting to rain. Dessert?”
“A little rain never hurts anybody.”
“Dessert?”
She blinks at the seemingly random question, “Excuse me?”
“You commented on the rain, but not on whether or not you have had dessert. Don’t see a dessert plate lying about.”
“No, no I didn’t have dessert.” Marlena goes to move again, but continues to stand in place.
“John, please.”
“Dessert does sound good. Something warm I am thinking because there is definitely a chill to the air these days. Does Fall always roll in this quickly?”
Blinking again, Marlena attempts to concentrate on what he is saying, “Huh?”
He smiles warmly, “I asked if Fall always comes in this suddenly.”
“Um,” Brushing a strand of hair from her face, Marlena looks towards the door and then around the diner. If people didn’t know better, they would think she is trapped and looking for somebody to rescue her. “Yeah, usually. Maybe.”
“Blondie, are you alright?”
The name causes her to focus sharply, “Yes. But I need to get going. Have a good afternoon John.”
He simply nods. He doesn’t move. Just nods and continues to stare at his hands. “Keep dry.”
She moves around him and heads towards the door. Just as she is about to push into the door, Marlena hears the loud crack of lightening, followed by the roar. She can’t help the groan that leaves her lips as the skies seem to open up and let out an ocean of water upon the ground. A quick glance over her shoulder allows her to see that John has taken up the spot previously occupied by herself. Sighing, she looks back at the sky and takes the sign for what it is.
Walking back over to the booth, “Apple pie, warm with vanilla ice cream and tea?”
“Sounds like the most perfect afternoon dessert on a day like this.”
Marlena slides in across from him, placing her things in the corner of the booth. “When you said it was raining, you didn’t say monsoon.”
“Was just raining a little when I came in, but the sky looked like it was gearing up for something interesting.”
“Well not sure interesting is the word, but it definitely got ready for a storm.”
The waitress steps slowly up to the table, “Still with us Dr. Evans. Is there something else I can get you?”
John goes to speak, but then stops. A small signal from Marlena tells him that he may continue.
“We would like a large piece of your apple pie, heated please with some vanilla ice cream on top.
Two spoons. And a cup of tea for the lady and a large cup of coffee for me. Trying to take the chill out.”
“Certainly, be right back with that.”
John lifts up both hands, “How was that?”
“Quite good. I must say, there is something different about you today.”
“Different good or different bad?”
She smiles politely, but he realizes that the smile does not quite reach her eyes,
“Neither. Just different. Something on your mind?”
“No, no not really. Just the drop in temperature… well I was out running enjoying the cooler weather but then the mist into rain began. I kept running…”
The sentence is left awkwardly and Marlena actually giggles, “Well yes, who wouldn’t keep running in the rain?”
“Well those who do not run, don’t understand.”
“I don’t run because I don’t see any point in it. You just run with no goal.”
“You make up your own goal and work for it.”
“Yeah, but when I get bored, I tend to change my goal.”
John leans over, “That is the thing. You can’t allow yourself to change the goal, to admit defeat.”
“You say that so seriously. I guess you always did.” Laughing at the memories, “You were just always so much better at that than I was. I make diets and then eat cookies to congradulate myself on a day well done with the diet. I run a block and stop for coffee. But you… you could always set a goal and work until it was reached. I just never could set my mind that way. I have always admired it. It has frustrated me! More than once!” Unknowingly, she reaches over and grabs his hand tightly, “But I have always admired it. Any amazing self-perseverence there.”
He smiles shyly and Marlena can’t believe her eyes. She is about to comment on it, but holds her tongue as he replies. “Thank you. That means a lot. Tomorrow, come running with me.” At her look of horror, “It will be a short one! We will go by the water, so there are things to look at and other people to distract you. Start your goal small, I’ll buy the coffee at the end. And we will work up.”
“A date? A running date?”
“What better kinds are there? I did promise coffee. Perhaps a breakfast pastry? Or I could cook.”
“Lets start easy.”
Blue eyes shine brightly, “Start easy… I think I already promised that. But that means… yes?”
“Yes.” Her lips part to speak again as the waitress reappears with a tray. Marlena moves her hands back from the table, breaking all contact with John, as the waitress begins to place the tea in front of her, followed by the dessert plate and finishing up with John’s coffee. As she places down the extra fork, the young woman asks if there is anything else that is needed. “No, no thank you Amy. This looks great.”
John nods and Amy backs away from the table, but not before doing a last backward glance at the couple. John picks up his fork and moves towards the warm dessert, but stops before his utensial touches the pie. He nods her way and smiles as she slowly moves forward and takes her time balancing the amount of pie and ice cream on her fork. She moves it quickly from the plate to her mouth.
“Mmmm… this is so good. Tastes like it was just made. Try it.”
John allows his fork to touch the dessert, but just as he is about to lift his fork to his mouth he hears her protest, “No no. That won’t do. See you have to have an equal amount of both. The pie needs to have a bit of ice cream melted into it already and a little bit still hardened on top. Too much pie, then you don’t get the cool contrast with it. Too much ice cream, you miss out on the warmth of the pie. Balance.”
His fork, covered with a decent scoop of pie continues to hold still. His blue eyes watch her closely, smiling a full smile at her passionate explanation of dessert. In fear of breaking the mood, John says nothing. He simply continues to watch her affectionately and smile. Marlena pays little attention to his close eye as she creates another perfect bite of pie on her fork and holds it up to his lips.
John opens his mouth and slowly removes the dessert. As he swallows, he quickly tosses his forkful in his mouth and nods, “Yes, you are right. Your fork was much better than mine. You should just feed the both of us.”
“You think?” Her smile brightens her eyes, but she shyly looks down, affected by the raw emotion pouring her way. “Maybe you should try it yourself. Equal balance.”
A playful frown causes her to laugh, but John does as he is told. Watching her take another bite, he attempts to create an equal balanced forkfull of pie. Just as it reaches his lips, a drop of ice cream pulls a small piece of pie down on his pants. Fork goes into his mouth, as his eyes immediately follow the line and groans. A laughing Marlena dips her napkin in the ice water and hands it over to him.
Wiping it away, “See, you should just feed me.”
“Okay. Maybe it is best.”
“It is. Or else, I need a spoon.”
“Why didn’t you ask for one?”
John leans forward and steals the bite off of her fork, “because I didn’t want to bother Amy.”
“How thoughtful.”
“It was. And now it has benefits.” They continue to eat the pie in comfortable silence. Marlena, taking turns feeding herself and John, watches him closely. There is something different about him today, than other days. A softenness that she rarely sees. An added trait that appears to have found its way into his daily life.
John picks up his forgotten fork and scoops the last bit up onto it before leaning over to offer it to Marlena. Her surprised look quickly fades as she closes her eyes and savours the final bite. “How was it?”
“A perfect last bite.” Taking a sip of her tea and then reaching for her water, “Thinking tea was not the perfect idea. But thank you. This was wonderful.”
“Better than getting wet?”
“Better than getting soaked. And look…”
John turns around to see that the downpour has slowed. “Just long enough to calm the rain. Perfect.”
“Yes.” Their eyes catch and Marlena is not sure if he understands the double meaning of her statement, but she hopes that her expression and the gentle touch of her hand on his explains it.
He returns the pressure on her hand and smiles. Finally, he speaks, “I’ll go settle up with Amy and I will walk you to your car. Can use my jacket to keep you dry.”
“Okay.” Nerves take over into an awkward moment, “Yeah, okay.”
John makes his escape and clears his throat as he pulls out his wallet. Pulling out a twenty, he waits for Amy’s attention and then hands it to her. At her statement that she will get him change, John shakes his head, “Its all set. Thank you.”
“Thank you. Have a great afternoon.”
“You too.” He makes his way back to Marlena and gestures towards the door. “Shall we?”
“Certainly.”
Together they walk towards the door. John holds up his coat over her head and they quickly make their way to her car. Marlena reaches into her purse for her keys and laughs nervously as she cannot find them. “Take you time Blondie. Its lovely weather afterall. Always nice to get extra time to enjoy it.”
She laughs heartily and slaps him gently on the chest. “Stop, don’t tease! Got them!”
John reaches for the keys, opens her door and waits for her to sit before taking back his jacket and handing her back her keys. As the engine starts up, John decides to be bold and leans down quickly to capture her lips in a short, sweet and surprised kiss. “Tomorrow. I’ll pick you up at eight and make sure you have realistic running clothes on, especially for cool weather.”
“Okay. Thanks for dessert and the company.”
“Thank you. See you in the morning.”
“Yeah, see you then.”
A final smile is exchanged as John closes the door and stands in the rain, watching her drive away.
The fingers on his left hand reach up to gently touch his lower lip, before he pulls out his cellphone and punches in a few numbers. “Hey, I need a favor…”
CHAPTER TWO: The Run
The gentleman in the blue hat looks up from his morning newspaper for the third time, distracted again by the constant pacing of another man. His eyes slide back to the black print, but his mind refuses to comprehend the words as his attention wavers back to the pacing and the sound of rubber soles taking four steps on pavement before crunching in the crisp grass to turn and pace again. Over and over the sound until finally the man in the blue hat closes up his paper, stuffs it under his arm, stands, and walks down the path.
The retreating man catches John’s attention and his blue eyes stair curiously at the blue hat and then back down towards the bench.
“What are we looking at?” The sudden voice so close to his ear, causes a soft yelp to escape his lips, “Sorry… is there a spider or some writing…?”
“No no…” John turns towards her, “No was just distraction for a moment. You came.”
“It was a date that I said yes to. And who am I to turn down free food.” Looking suddenly nervous,
“There will be free food, right?”
“Well, free for you perhaps.”
“Then that is all that matters.”
Her smile is brilliant and quickly becomes contagious, as John leans down quickly to place a sweet kiss on her cheek. “Good morning.” His breath tickles her cheek, as her eyes flutter closed. They stand stiffly, a breath away from each other until Marlena leans forward, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and pulling him in for a warm embrace.
Marlena buries her nose in his shoulder and breaths in deeply, content to just stand there, blocking the sidewalk on that crisp spring morning. “Good morning. Nothing better than a morning hug.”
She feels John squeeze her quickly before loosening his grip all together. Taking her cue from him, she steps back and pulls on the bottom of her think zippy, “So are we ready?”
Pointing at his clothes, “Is that going to keep you warm?”
“You’re in a t-shirt.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
“True. In answer, I am good now. A little cool perhaps but that should be good while running. I brought something heavier for later in my car. You may have it if you are cold… you always did look good in pink.”
He scrunches up his nose in response, “No matter how warm and fuzzy of a man I might have been, I do not believe pink was ever my color.”
“No, no you are right about that.” Her fingers run absently over the black fabric covering his chest,
“You were always the mysterious man in black. From the first day I met you… always mysterious and always in black.”
“See. I knew it.”
A smile is shared before John gestures along the path, “Ready to begin?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
He nods at her and then begins a comfortable jog. Marlena moves quickly to catch up with him and then falls into a pattern. “Are you sure a nice morning stroll wouldn’t be good enough?”
“Oh come on Blondie, a stroll doesn’t get your heart pumping. A good run does.”
“I know other things that get my heart pumping and they tend to be more enjoyable than this torment.”
“Well once we are done running,” John leans over and states for her ears only, “I’ll be more than happy to do your heart pumping exercises with you.”
His smirk causes the innuendo of his words to sink in quickly and a shock expression quickly takes over her facial features. He laughs heartily and forces her to pick up the pace, as they head down the waterfront path. The silence is comfortable as both watch the activity surround and pass them.
They separate now and then to go around random walkers, bikers, and animals and then quickly end back up side by side.
“So what made you start running?”
“Huh?”
Marlena looks over at John and shuffles her feet slightly to get back in step with him, “Just was thinking that you always you to run, blow off steam or to clear your mind after a long day at the station. Was wondering now, was it just natural, something you just did or did you decide to try running… just curious what got you out here.”
“I see what you mean. No, didn’t spontaneously wake up and just run. I guess… I guess it was the doctor.”
“Doctor?”
“Went for a check up and he was going on about my shape and build over the years and how the time in the coma, followed up with being dead was a lot of… how did he put it…” John pauses as he runs around a lady fussing with her ill-tempered dog, “The doc said that all that time immobile has laxed a lot of my muscles and though he didn’t say it, I realized that he was saying I could become a fastass if I didn’t get moving again. So I go to the gym a few days a week now and run most mornings, do find that a run really clears my head.”
“I will never understand that.”
“Understand what?”
“How running is relaxing or makes you feel better. Its tiring and makes my chest burn.”
“Because you do it once a decade. Think the trick is to run on a pattern. You could join me once or twice a week. I seem to like your company.”
“Yeah?”
John nods and slows his pace a bit more for her benefit. “Here follow me, we are going to go through the gardens.”
Together they jog around a small playground before disappearing behind a large wall. The gardens have been springing to life slowly with the warming of the weather and Marlena’s jog slows to nearly a skip as she takes in the colors around her. John reaches out his hand and waits for her to take it before weaving them in and out of the blooming gardens.
“This is wonderful. I hadn’t realized just how much things are coming into bloom.”
“Running isn’t all bad then. Gives you a chance to see the world.”
“So does walking or chauffeured driving.”
Using their joined hands, John pulls her around a young tree and out of the walled area into another area of the gardens, “I have no qualms about walking, it just takes forever to get anywhere. Its just too slow.”
“Sometimes slow is okay too John.”
He looks over at her and allows himself to get lost in thought as to whether or not there is hidden meanings to her words. Deciding that it is also a message on relationships, John nods and focuses back on the path ahead of them. “Well you have made it just under two miles and…”
Interrupting him, “Two miles? No way.”
“Yes, see how fast and productive running is? We would still be back at the goose poop area if we were walking. Follow me please.”
John takes off sprinting and a surprised Marlena begins after him without thinking of how tired her body is. “John wait up! John! Stop please!”
As they round the corner, Marlena sees John come to a stop by a picnic table with baskets on it. As she approaches, John hands her a bottle of water and indicates for her to open the baskets.
“Free breakfast awaits.”
A surprised gasp leaves her lips. “Eggs? John, there are eggs in here and they are still warm!
How did you get eggs here?”
“Well I didn’t..” Waving his cell in front of her, “All I did was send a message.”
“When? How did you… I never saw you text… you can’t text and run… John you can’t even text sitting down.”
He laughs at her playful response and stays quiet for a moment, happily watching her shuffle through the baskets, pulling out all of the desired foods. “All I had to do was hit one button to send the warning page a couple of times. That’s all. Nice and simple. Now sit and eat.” She does as instructed, opening the lid to the scrambled eggs and immediately begins to dig in. John laughs and watches in astonishment, “There are plates.”
“I saw.”
“So does that mean you aren’t going to share?”
“There is lots of food in there.”
“But that is the only scrambled eggs container.”
“Guess you will have to try the muffins or French toast that is in there.”
“You are not going to share at all? Not even one little bite?” As she shakes her head no, John leans forward with his fork, but when it is swatted away, he sits down on the bench and allows his bottom lip to pout out, “Please… one little bite… pretty please…”
“Oh my god, you are pitiful.” Smiling at him, “Fine.” She holds her fork out to him and he happily latches on and removes the eggs. He “mmm’s” out his reply of thanks, as he reaches in for the pancake and toast containers.
“Okay, I guess you cannot keep toast warm longer than seven seconds, no matter what. Cold toast for your eggs?”
“No thanks. How are the pancakes?”
“Really good.” He holds one up towards her mouth and waits for her to bite into it. “What do you think?”
“For no syrup on it, not bad at all.”
“Oh there is syrup, I’ll get it out.”
Marlena reaches across and stops from before he can reach the basket, “No thank you. I am very happy with my eggs at the moment and you do not like syrup.”
Lifting her hand to his lips, his reply is lost somewhere between his fingers and the thunder above.
“Where did that… wow look at that sky move. Was it suppose to rain today?”
“I didn’t hear anything.”
Before either can react, the sky opens up and the droplets begin to fall, slowly at first and then with more speed. John lets go of her hand and yells over the storm for her to head for the gazebo, while he grabs the baskets and follows quickly behind. Slipping on the stairs, Marlena catches John’s shoulder to help steady him.
Staring up into his eyes, Marlena smiles and holds up her container to break the tension, “I saved my eggs.”
John quickly leans down, not only stealing a piece of egg but a kiss on the lips as well, “Good,
wouldn’t want your free meal ruined now, would we?”
“Definitely not. May I have a muffin too please?”
“Certainly, but you should try the French toast too… its amazing.”
The storm continues to carry on, but the two sit comfortably in the middle of the gazebo eating their breakfast. A wind swirls though, causing Marlena to shiver and John to react instinctively by pulling her towards him. She slides in between his legs and leans back against him, allowing his own body heat to warm her. Her fork slides back into her eggs before maneuvering over her shoulder and towards his mouth. Playfully, the two sit finishing their breakfast.
CHAPTER THREE: The Deal
“No, absolutely not! Don’t be an asshole about this. We had a deal.”
The upset voice fibrates through the hallway, causing Marlena to pause mid-stride. Slowly, she moves towards the doors leading to the living room.
“Goddamnit! You can’t be serious. Madison this is not how I do business and I don’t give a shit what you are use to, get me my supplies or…” Sensing a oresence, John glances towards the mostly shut doors before readdressing his phone, “I’ll make it real simple Madison, my supplies arrive by Friday, which is already three weeks later than promised or I hand over all the paperwork to my lawyer to complete. Tell your boss my exact words. I expect to be hearing from you.” The phone is clicked shut, as he moves over to the wet-bar, “Come on in Blondie.”
“How did you know?”
“You smell. Rolf usually doesn’t walk around with a perfume on and I don’t get very many visitors, especially not ones that just let themselves into my home. What can I do for you?”
Her eyes narrow a bit at the neutral tone in his voice, “Does work always make you this upset?”
“Only when it doesn’t go my way.”
A slight nod shows her understanding at that, “I came to invite you to the Brady-Horton picnic.
Alice was hoping you would come and man the grill. And Claire has already claimed you on her team for baseball. Belle says it is because she likes you, I say it is just because she wants to win.”
John’s face lightens a bit at her smile and awkward attempt at a joke, “Smart kid. When is it?”
“Sunday, around one o’clock. We usually eat about two or three. Depending on if the food gets grilled or burned.”
“I see.” John pours some brown liquid into a small glass and takes a tentative sip. “Well can’t say that my Sundays are all that busy, but I don’t know Blondie, that is an awful lot of family bonding.”
“That can never be a bad thing.”
“Only when it is, right?” At her puzzled look, “Nevermind. Can I get back to you on it?”
“Of course.” She swallows hard, “I’ll let Alice and everybody know that you will consider it, is that fair?”
“Sounds reasonable.”
“But you won’t be coming, will you?”
“Blondie… I said I….”
“No, I said you would consider it… and that is what I will tell all of them so that they can at least slightly believe you might appear. But this is me, be honest. What’s the odds you will attend?”
“Why are you attacking me? You came here, entered my house without so much of a knock and within two seconds, claws are out and you are pouncing. Why? What did I do?”
“Well using cat-like analogies to describe me could definitely be a reason. Not real fond of that dedridation.”
His frustration is evident on his face. The glass raises to his lips, but suddenly is brought down to the table as he walks away from it, “I just don’t get you.”
“And I don’t get you.”
“Cause you don’t try! I at least try. I am coming to the understanding that it is nearly impossible to understand you, but I have put an effort forth. You haven’t yet. Instead, you come by the house or find me out somewhere and shrink my personality the moment you walk up to me and if I am playful and seem like my old self, you are sweet and helpful and hell, sometimes even seductive, but if I seem… I dunno, mad or upset or evil in some way, you immediately start to attack me. I have no chance of survival, like now.”
“What about now?”
“You came here. Because you found me on the phone and upset about work, you attacked.
Immediately. No, Hi how are you today John? Just threw out an invite and then attacked me when I didn’t jump up and down with excitement. I am sorry that I am not excitement about the Brady- Horton togetherness at this moment. My brain is still wrapped around getting the supplies I need. Is that what you needed to hear?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, at least you are being honest.”
“I am always honest John.” His laugh echoes through the room and causes Marlena to flinch slightly. “I am. Perhaps sometime it isn’t what you want to hear or were hoping to hear, but I always say what I am honestly thinking and feeling.”
“So what are you honestly thinking right now?”
“That I hate fighting.”
His eyebrow lifts in curious response, “And it would be childish of me to say that it was your fault, right?”
“A bit.” Marlena’s smile is soft and she moves further into the room, taking a seat on the couch, “
How about, I’ll admit that I tend to get defensive if… I guess if your mood seems unapproachable, I’ll admit that if you will promise to, at least, make an appearance on Sunday. Yes no?”
“How is that fair? You admit to something that I already know is true and I have to agree to be tortured on Sunday.”
“We are all going to be tortured on Sunday, its called a family gathering. It will be fun. Perhaps you and I can even sneak away for a bit and go down by the water.”
“Mrs. Horton has water in her backyard? That can’t be good.”
“No, we are going to the Horton cabin.”
“A cabin? So it is a bit of a hike to this cabin?”
Marlena nods, her slight smile turning smug, “You could say that.”
“Making it nearly impossible to just pop in for a quick hello?”
“You could say that.”
“And you were going to tell me this, when?”
“Most likely after you agreed or possibly when I picked you up on Sunday to take you.”
He expression is unreadable as the words slip slowly from his lips, “And you wonder why I tend to be so unagreeable to propositions that you make?”
“Well not to all of them.” She watches his expression closely, trying to decide if he is playing her or not. At her statement, a sparkle appears in his eyes and she takes a soothing breath. “I trusted you with the running date. Trust me now. You will not be attacked or constantly walked down memory lane, though some storytelling will happen. That cannot be helped, because a lot has happened to all of us out at that cabin, so we will all be doing the ‘remember when…’ and it won’t be for just your benefit. So don’t think you are that special.”
He is silent for a long time and moves back over to collect his previously abandoned glass and sit in the oversize chair. Finally, his words come out a bit more harshly than he would have liked, “What is our story of this Horton cabin?”
“Most importantly, you delivered Belle there.” She smiled at his look of interest. “I went there to get some peace and think, a lot was happening. I was still so afraid Roman would find out about our affair, I was still worried that Belle wasn’t Roman’s and I was tired of everybody fussing over me.
So I ran there, you followed me because a storm was hitting here and you were worried. Like clockwork, I went into labor, we couldn’t get off the island and you delivered her. She wasn’t breathing when she was born, you gave her CPR and brought her back to life. The Miracle of the Cabin, as the papers wrote about it.”
“Bet they didn’t include me as proud papa.”
“No, sadly not. You will be on Sunday.”
“Bet that is awkward to discuss at the Horton-Brady picnic.”
“Once it was,” her smile is soft, but her eyes glaze over with a touch of sadness, “Years ago it was, but so much time has gone by that we just don’t dwell on those elements anymore.”
His mouth opens to respond, but a loud beep cuts him off. Jumping up, John grabs his cell and mouths a quick apology at Marlena before answering it. “You got the stuff?” He listens and Marlena watches as his mood begins to cloud over again. His cheeks tense and eyes narrow. She stands up and moves over towards him, lightly touching his arm. “Madison, hang on a second.”
As his attention shifts to her, Marlena says quickly, “I also tried to seduce you out there when you were a priest and I the Devil, literally. Show up at my house at noon Sunday and I will tell you the story on the drive up.”
He watches her go and returns her slight wave goodbye as she exists through the open doors
The Jarlena Journal 