Pologue
Artist: Faith Hill
Album: Pearl Harbor Soundtrack
Title: There You’ll Be
The winds blew the sand feverishly around her as she walked along the deserted beach, her feet sinking within the sand every step she took. Her life had been one with complications . . . of lost love, love found, and once again lost as everything she had once known spiraled into a complete whirlwind. Marlena Evans was a survivor. With her long golden locks and her sparkling amber eyes, she was a beauty known to all and with her inner compassion and consideration she was loved by most. But only one love truly mattered . . . and that was the one of John Black . . . her one and only true love.
He had come into her life at a time of pain . . . where all she had needed was someone to love and cherish her and he did just that. He treated her as his Princess, with the flowers flowing in everyday and the cards filled with sweet nothings for no other reason except he loved her.
And as good as it got, the tables turned and became worse. After years of separation and of reconciliation’s, the good times turned into bad and happily ever after suddenly became anything but. They had gotten separated for reasons that were ridiculous and after no contact for three years, she got word he was sick but before she could make it back to him, he was gone, almost the way he had come, in a flash.
When I think back on these times
And the dreams we left behind
I’ll be glad ’cause I was blessed
To get to have you in my life . . .
She sat down on the sand, the warm sun beating down upon her cream colored skin. Her eyes squinted in the light, the feel of the electric rays taking over her body. She had just attended his funeral . . . the mahogany casket still played in her mind whenever she had closed her eyes and the humming of Amazing Grace seemed to be embedded within her skull.
She placed her head within her knees, willing the tears to stop. But she knew they wouldn’t and why should they? She had loved him most of her life or so it seemed . . . and when she didn’t it wasn’t worth remembering without his memory.
“I don’t know where you are right now,” she began, looking upwards towards the sky, the tears sinking into the pores in her cheeks. “I don’t know if you are in heaven or if you are just flying the earth as an angel . . . all I know is that I wish I could have said one final good-bye to you. One final I love you instead of you passing with the memory of never seeing me again. Do you remember those nights we would come here, John? Belle had just gone off to summer camp and Brady was away and we would drive here in the wee hours of morning to watch the sun rise. And looking back on our past, I don’t think I regret anything that happened because I had you . . . whether it was for
fifteen years or five minutes, one-second with you was worth a lifetime of happiness. I just wish . . .” She rubbed her hands over her eyes, as her vision blurred and her voice broke. “I just wish I could have told you I loved you one last time.”
When I look back on these days
I’ll look and see your face
You were right there for me . . .
“So tell me . . .”
The voice was almost inaudible . . . almost as if the wind was playing tricks on her mind and maybe it was. She hadn’t heard the voice in almost three and a half years and she had wanted too, maybe so badly she had imagined it. She closed her eyes and slowly turned around and it was then she saw him. Her eyes had opened seconds before as she gazed at him, the tears overflowing without will.
“I don’t want you to question why I am here,” he said softly, placing his hand upon her cheek, “because I have no time. But I want to let you know, I don’t regret our past Marlena because looking back on the most important times, it was your face I saw whether you were with me or not. The thing I learned about soulmates, about best friends, was that the mortal presence is not always the most important thing. It’s the spirit that matters, the feeling that two hearts are intertwined forever, despite the past and its mistakes. I don’t want you to spend life regretting the fact that you never told me you loved me again because I knew . . . I always knew.”
In my dreams I’ll always see you soar above the sky
In my heart there will always be a place for you
For all my life I’ll keep a part of you with me
And everywhere I am, there you’ll be . . .
“I know, it’s just . . .” She stared up into his azure eyes and smiled, despite the infamous amount of tears that seemed to come. “I wish I could have told you, I wish we hadn’t separated, maybe I could have saved you, maybe–“
He held up his hand to stop her, his eyes dancing with diamonds. They did whenever he saw her, as if she was his light, his guide and it was true. He wouldn’t truly receive his wings until after he said good-bye, until after he was complete. “Stop the maybes. Don’t dwell on what was inevitable and stop feeling bad for the way my life turned out. You aren’t God, Marlena. But I want you to know that wherever I go after this, whether it be heaven or just six feet under, you will never leave my heart. A little something will always beat there because even love can exist beyond eternity.”
Well you showed me how to feel
Feel the sky was in my reach
And I always will remember all the strength you gave to me . . .
She shook her head, moving closer to him, almost afraid if she got to close he would suddenly banish. He hadn’t touched her since he had appeared and maybe it was all a fantasy, maybe she was crazy, insane, maybe she was dreaming but the reality of it all, was that he was gone and even if she touched him, it would all be over within minutes. Almost as if he knew what she was thinking, he took one step closer to her, engulfing his arms around her trembling body. She melted into his embrace, letting a gasp escape her mouth as sobs wretched her body.
“Why did you come back? Why did you have to come here and leave me when all I want to do is stay here forever,” she cried, as he gripped onto her tighter. “I can’t let you leave now. Please,” she begged, her teeth knawing on her lower lip.
“Don’t you understand?” He questioned, pulling her back to look into her sparkling eyes. “The strength you gave me for all those years, that incredible strength which kept me surviving , I came back to return it to you. You used to give me everything you were, Marlena. Everything inside of you projected itself into me and you began to depend on me. I want to return the greatest gift you ever gave me . . . your strength. I used to think the sky was beyond my reach, that the stars were just a picture painted by God when he got bored at night but when I was with you, I reached those stars. Maybe not literally but I knew if I was with you, I could accomplish it all and in many ways I have.”
Your love made me make it through
Oh, I owe so much to you
You were right there for me . . .
“I have too,” she whispered, nuzzling her lips within the crevice of his neck. “When Roman died, I thought I would die along with him. I had moved on so to speak. I raised my children, I worked, but it was almost as if I was a robot. I walked through everyday in a daze and when I met you, your love and devotion, it pulled me through the hard times and even the years we were separated it still did that and I just hope . . .” She stopped for a moment, the words being chased by tears as she inhaled, closing her eyes, almost expecting him to be gone if she reopened them. But she did and he was there with that smile, the smile models were paid for and all John Black had to do was look at his wife and it would suddenly appear. “I just hope it still does now that you are gone.”
“It will,” he promised, rubbing his thumb along her cheek. “Like I said, true love doesn’t even die with death.”
‘Cause I always saw in you my light, my strength
And I want to thank you now . . .
“Yeah I guess,” she said softly.
She looked up at him, her eyes wide, trying to get lost in him forever. “I wanted to thank you. It sounds so silly to say,” she blushed, bowing her head. “But I actually feel like I may be okay. I used to find the light in your eyes, this amazing shimmer which would make me smile despite the circumstances and now when I close my eyes, I know I will see what I see right now, that light, that love. I love you. I know you know it but I need to say it. I love you, John Black. And I will forever do so.”
She stood on her tip toes and placed her lips over his, their mouths parting as they shared one more kiss. One more kiss of passion, of love . . . of strength.
“I love you too, Marlena. I’ll always love you.”
His voice began to fade as she gazed into his eyes one last time, as he walked away, the vision of an earth angel bound to heaven for good.
***
For all the ways you were right there for me
You were right there for me . . .
“Marlena . . . come on, you have got to get up!” She felt her bed shake as she groggily opened one eye, feeling moisture just beneath her eyes. “Marlena, I swear to God, if you are this bad waking yourself up in middle school, I really hate to see what happens when you get into the high school. Now come on, get up, we have places to go,” her mother warned as she pulled the covers off of her.
Marlena sat up in bed, closing her eyes trying to remember the dream she had just had. It had seemed so real yet she couldn’t remember it but she felt it, some tower of strength that seemed to succumb her. After a long moment, she started to get up when her mother stopped her.
“Just one question for you. Right before I woke you up, you said a name. Who is John Black, Marlena?”
She looked at her mother, feeling as tears started to pool her eyes, a smile radiating her entire face. “He’s the man I’m going to marry someday . . . he’s my soulmate.”
“Marlena, get up! How your job puts up with you, I will never know, now get that cute butt of yours out of bed!”
Marlena Evans-Brady rolled over, her blonde hair falling loosely over her face. She stretched contentedly, never opening her amber eyes. “You smoke up,” she muttered groggily.
“I don’t think the police force would commend me doing that on the job, baby.”
She opened one of her eyes and stuck her tongue out at him. “Roman Brady, your wit is so astounding, it makes me remember why I married you,” she said sarcastically, reluctantly sitting up in bed. “Actually,” she smiled, looking at his bare body, “*that* is why I married you. Come here stud.”
She pulled him down on top of her, kissing his tender lips hungrily. He pulled away from her, licking his lips as he smiled down at her. “Brush your teeth and then come back to me.”
She pushed him off of her, laughing as he rolled off the bed and onto the floor. He winced in pain as she hung over the bed, a smile radiating her jubilant face. “See, I told you not to be mean to me. Not only do I hold out on the sex, I hurt you! Now you’re gonna go to the cop shop all bruised,” she frowned, unable to hide the hint of laughter in her voice. “Maybe Abe can kiss it and make it all better.”
“Or maybe you can,” he smiled, pulling her off the bed and on top of him. He leaned up and nipped at her neck, her giggles echoing the room.
“Get off of me!” She squealed, trying to break free of his grasp. “Come on Detective, I have to go shower and brush my teeth. I’ll make you a deal though,” she whispered, kissing the corners of his mouth, “if you let me up now, I will make it up to you tonight. Starting with . . .” She moved her lips to his mouth once more, passionately kissing him.
“Starting with?” He asked breathlessly.
She moved her lips to his ear, the tickle of her voice, arousing him. “Me kicking your ass!” She laughed, as he pushed her off of him.
“Tease!”
“Jerk,” she laughed, rolling over and kissing him once more. “I love you Brady.”
“I love you too.”
**
Marlena slammed down on her brakes, the sounds of screeching tires echoing most of Sherman Oaks. It was proven Marlena Evans-Brady wasn’t known for her excellent driving skills after three accidents in four months and the numerous amounts of tickets she had for speeding in her cherry red, 1998 Mustang convertible. Being married to a cop had finally paid off, although Roman had given her numerous lectures on the dangers of being an unruly driver. Thinking back on it now, each lecture had ended in sex after she had persuaded him to shut up and ravage her and he could never say no to his gorgeous wife with the sunridden blonde hair and the twinkling hazel eyes.
No one really could, it was why she had gone into the business of advertising in the first place. She could easily sell any product with her delicate voice and her urgency to succeed. Men fell in love with her face and bone structure, while women fell in love with her self assurance. And despite the beauty in her looks, the beauty in her heart was even more gorgeous. She had come from a small family in Colorado, graduating from Syracuse University in the top of her advertising class. She had moved to Los Angeles, after college in hopes to find a job and they immediately all poured in. She had
accepted one at a small firm in Sherman Oaks, 20 minutes outside of Burbank. And weeks after she had started, she met her future husband, Roman Brady. He
was a cop for the LAPD and had come in to Marlena’s ad agency to see his sister Kim and the sparks began to fly. Now at 26, five years later, they were happily married and both quite content with their career of choice.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” Marlena said, sauntering into the office, her black skirt and blazer fitting perfectly over her sculpted body. “I . . .”
“You couldn’t get up, right?” Laura Horton asked walking into the room, a smile on her face. “Marlena, you’re damn lucky you’re an amazing agent or I would have kicked your ass out on the street years ago. Don’t you own an alarm clock?”
Marlena shrugged her shoulders and laughed. “Who needs an alarm clock when you have a husband wailing for you to get up. I asked him if he smoked up this morning,” she giggled. “I think I meant to say get up and it just came out.”
“Well he is a cop,” Laura teased, “he could get away with it. Now seriously, I have an emergency client coming in. I want you to handle them.”
“Are you kidding me?” Marlena asked, her eyes wide, as she set down her cup of coffee. “Laura, how the hell am I supposed to prep?”
“You’re not. It’s just a meeting, informal to say the least on such short notice. They just want to see what we’re about and all that jazz. Come on, you do it for everyone. I’ll give you a raise,” Laura taunted.
“Okay, done! Now what is the clients name?”
Before Laura could answer, the door burst open, both of them staring at the man who had walked in. His dark blue eyes shone with a look of anger and rage, his brown hair shaping his handsome face almost perfectly. Something about his appearance nagged at Marlena, almost as if she had known him in another life or something . . . except that look in his eyes. He seemed almost too familiar with his chiseled body and stylish clothes. But his eyes were the unfamiliar territory. She didn’t know how she knew him, just knew that they were not what she would have thought. They seemed as if they were a lighter shade, maybe a baby blue or a turquoise and that they filled with a gray/black tone when he was angry. Neither herself, nor Laura, had time to question him though as he began to speak.
“I’m sorry, I am late,” he said coldly, “some moron outside parked a mustang in about three spots, taking up the only ones in the lot. Someone should call the cops on them!”
“Try it,” Marlena mumbled under her breath, not liking him at all. “My husband is a cop, just try it!”
He didn’t even hear her though, didn’t even care as he still rambled on.
“Some people just think they own this world. It’s extremely irritating! Bad drivers are the most annoying people in the world.”
“Not more annoying than arrogant rude people,” Marlena shot back, sick of his complaining. Laura gazed at her, her eyes wide, Marlena totally ignoring her. “I mean what makes you think that you are the world’s greatest driver? Did you receive a plaque or something?”
“Excuse me?” He asked, turning to face her. The first thing he noticed besides her need to shoot off her mouth was her body structure. She could have been a model if she pleased. With long slim legs and curved hips, her blonde hair and amber eyes, fit its lower components to perfection. He was almost surprised by her defensiveness, suddenly realizing the Cherry Red Mustang must have been hers.
“Seriously. Where do you get off criticizing other people? Like that would be the same as me having sex with you and being like ‘Ah well, I’ve had better, some people are just terrible at sex! And some have bigger penises than others,” she mocked. “Just because your performance was inadequate, that doesn’t give me the right to ream on it. So don’t you think you’re being a little hard on the driver?”
He was outraged by her behavior but the least bit intrigued as well. He had never met a woman who didn’t swoon at his feet, who didn’t beg him for a date or even for him to marry them. But she was different, yes, she had a mouth on her and didn’t seem to mind whether or not it cost them a potential client. And her boss didn’t seem to mind all that much either. An amused grin was on her face as she stood back and watched her star player at work . . . in some form.
“Look, I’m sorry if you can’t drive . . .”
“And I’m sorry you have a small penis. But sometimes we can’t control things
in life.”
“Good luck finding business,” he said angrily. “Because you sure as hell just lost mine.”
He stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind him. And once he did, Marlena turned around to face Laura, ready to get screamed at and even her pink slip but all she saw when she turned around was the laugher riding on her face.
“I should honestly kill you for going off on him like that but he totally deserved it,” she laughed. “He’ll probably go out and get laid now to prove his penis isn’t small and that he still does have the golden touch.”
Marlena laughed shrugging her shoulders. “He was pissing me off and you and I both know that no one pisses off Marlena Brady and gets away with it. What
was his name anyway?”
“John Black.”
“John Black?” Marlena said, repeating his name over and over in her mind. “Why the hell do I know that name?”
“Probably because it’s common as hell,” Laura replied, shrugging her shoulders, pouring herself a cup of coffee. “It’s like John Smith except he added a color to it.”
“Isn’t black a hue?” Marlena teased.
“Is it?” Laura asked. “I sucked at art. I would really love to know what he is doing now. Probably running down the streets of Rodeo screaming ‘I’m the king of the world, I’m the king of the world!'”
“Yeah or he went home and is glancing at his dick in the mirror. You do know why men always stare at themselves right?”
“Why?” Laura laughed.
“Because objects in the mirror are larger than they actually appear,” Marlena smirked. “The night before Roman and I married I told him if I ever caught him looking in the mirror at his dick, that there would be no object to enlarge.”
“You’re terrible,” Laura laughed. “It is an amazement Roman has stuck with you for five years, what the hell is your secret? I’ve been married and divorced as many times as Liz Taylor at this point and I am half her age! So tell me darling, what *is* your secret?”
Marlena shrugged her shoulders and smiled. “I have a nice ass. Whenever Roman gets angry with me, I tell him no sex. He crawls back about ten minutes later. I’ve got the guy whipped. But I will admit, I love him more than I ever have. He puts up with me and believe me that is enough. So what about the new guy you’re dating? Could he be marriage material?”
Laura groaned, sitting atop Marlena’s desk. “David Brightman. 34, criminal lawyer over in Beverly Hills. Been divorced once, widowed once, two children from the widow, both living in New York City in some boarding school. No interest in getting married again, no interest in more children. So to answer your question, I am dating a complete deadbeat. Maybe I like it like that, less of a chance to get hurt.”
Marlena stood up and kissed the top of Laura’s forehead. “The right one is out there, I swear. Now I’ve got to get going. I promised Roman I’d meet
him for lunch at the headquarters. How romantic, lunch and a quickie while the other detectives bring in hookers and murderers. Oh joy,” Marlena smiled
brightly, walking to the door. “I may be back, I may not. You know you love me anyway.”
“Yeah well, get out of here before I decide I don’t,” Laura said. “Bye Mar.”
“Bye,” she smiled.
**
John Black slammed the front door of his apartment condo shut as he walked into his room, throwing his briefcase onto the bed. He had driven around for
almost twenty minutes, trying to blow off some steam but to no avail. He couldn’t seem to forget the gorgeous blonde with the ferocious mouth, he had met only hours earlier. He wanted to hate her. She was rude, arrogant, annoying, but God was she beautiful. He had noticed the way her eyes danced with frustration but also with a gleam of excitement, one he had guessed resided there always. Her body had been one of a Greek God, shaped to perfection and showed off just like that. And her self assurance dared him to find out more.
He moved into the bathroom, standing before the full length mirror. Watching himself in the mirror for only a second, he dropped his pants, laughing in spite of himself at what he was doing. “So it’s not that small, is it?” He wondered a loud as he spun around. “Oh dear God, what the hell am I doing? This bitch is making me doubt my obvious sexuality. But why the hell didn’t she find me sexy? The Goddamn Pope would if he had laid eyes on me, why doesn’t she?”
He pulled up his pants, walking over to the bed and throwing himself on top of it. “And why do you even care, Black?” He tested himself. “She’s an arrogant self involved, know it all bitch, who is probably married or . . .”
He stopped himself in mid sentence and walked over to the phone where the phone book sat beside it. He looked up the ad agency where he had been only recently and dialed the number, his heart beating when someone answered the line.
“D&H Advertising, can I help you?”
“Um . . . yeah, can I . . . I actually don’t know her name,” John said sheepishly. “Blonde, hazel eyes . . . drives a mustang . . .”
The woman on the other line laughed. “That could only be Marlena. Hold on.”
And with that, she connected him and the ringing on the other line frightened him. He didn’t even know her, he didn’t even like her, but he wanted to like her, wanted to get to know her. He heard the click of the machine and inhaled when her voice came over the phone.
“Hey, you’ve reached Marlena Brady. I’ve stepped out of the office for a few but if you need me, you can reach me on my cell. 555-0178. Have a good day.”
John hung up before the machine sounded and debated on whether or not to call her. I mean why should he? So she could yell at him? Criticize him? But he wanted to hear her voice, that soft delicate voice which sounded on her machine. He picked the phone back up and quickly punched in the seven numbers. He was about to hang up, when he heard her voice and he fell back
on his bed smiling.
“Hello? . . . Look, is someone there?”
“Hi.” His voice was soft and on the other end, her eyebrow raised in question at the mystery caller.
“Look who is this?”
“A guy with a small penis,” he smiled as he heard her laugh through the other line.
“Mr. Black, how are you this fine afternoon? I mean after you left here, Laura and I were wondering where you went. My bet is you went and got laid to prove you still are the king of this world.”
“Actually, I came straight home and dropped my pants. I mean . . .” He could hear her laughter and smiled, knowing his stupidity was at least good for something. “I wanted to call you and apologize for yelling at you earlier. I shouldn’t have gone off on you like that and I am sorry.”
“Okay,” she replied simply.
“That’s it? You’re not going to apologize to me?”
“For what?” She asked confused.
“For saying I have a small dick and I was inadequate in bed.”
She smiled, making a right into the police station. “I have no reason to apologize. I have never seen your penis nor do I plan too and I have never slept with you, nor do I plan too. So as far as I know, all of it could be
true. So until I have other evidence, I won’t apologize.”
“You’re very stubborn, Marlena.”
“Yeah well, life goes on. Good-bye Mr. Black.”
She hung up her phone and laughed while on the other side of town, John Black held his portable phone in his hand, wanting nothing more than to win over
Marlena Brady.
Marlena glanced at herself in the rearview mirror of her Mustang. Her golden locks lay across her shoulders, her amber eyes covered by a pair of Gucci sunglasses, Roman had just given her. A designer Donna Karen shaped her body to perfection and she smiled at herself, pulling a lipstick from her black Prada bag. She brought the soft pink gloss to her lips, applying it gently as she smacked her lips together.
“Perfect,” she said a loud, opening the door to the sports car and looking around at the Los Angeles Police Department. A number of squad cars were lined up outside the building, including number 420, Roman Brady’s. It still amazed Marlena at what he did for a living. How catching criminals and arresting the guilty became a life all his own, a part she would never truly understand. She was always afraid she’d get a call after midnight, explaining how Roman had died in the line of duty. But despite the difference of opinion when it came to his job, Marlena and Roman Brady were completely infatuated with each other.
She loved the way he would come in at two in the morning and kiss her eyelids to let her know he was home, the way his breath felt against her heated skin in winter and he in return loved the way she made chills cascade down his spine every time her delicate smooth skin would touch his body. They were honestly the image of perfection and everyone admired their relationship.
She walked into the cool air conditioned building and glanced around, trying to catch a glimpse of Roman. She had never really liked going to see him at the office for the cop shop wasn’t exactly her scene. The murderers and prostitutes they brought in didn’t appeal to her in the least and she always seemed to get the chills in there, despite the loving relationship she had with most of the other detectives.
“Well, if it isn’t the most gorgeous woman in all of Los Angeles.”
Marlena spun around and saw Abraham Carver standing behind her. He was a decent looking man, with dark skin and chocolate cream colored eyes and a smile most woman would swoon at. He had been Roman’s best friend for over ten years and Marlena had gotten to know him very well in the years she had known Roman. She had a type of bond with Abe which Roman always claimed made him jealous, but both Marlena and Abe knew that he loved the closeness the two of them shared.
“I think you’re exaggerating, Commander,” Marlena beamed as she kissed his cheek lightly.
“You’re right, your beauty is beyond words,” he smiled.
Marlena’s cheeks turned a rosy pink as she bowed her head in embarrassment. “Okay, seriously, stop, you’ll make my ego skyrocket.”
“It already is,” Roman replied, walking over to the two of them. He stood behind her, gently wrapping his arms around her slender waist. “How are you beautiful?”
“Better now,” she replied, turning around and kissing his lips softly. “But can we head out? You know I hate this place with a passion.”
“Typical cops wife,” Abe laughed as Roman led Marlena out of the office.
******
John Black walked into Cafe Amadeas, shaking the light drizzle from his coat. It had begun to rain only moments earlier, the deep blue sky suddenly overcast with dark gray clouds. The phone call with Marlena Brady replayed in his mind as he thought back to their conversation only moments before. He didn’t know what it was about her that he found so intriguing. Normally, he couldn’t stand a woman with a mouth or an attitude but with her it was somehow very different.
He sat down at a table, leafing through the menu that lay beside him. All he had really wanted with a steaming Cafe Late, something to warm him up from the cold drizzle that had begun to fall. The weather was usually nice that time of year in Southern California, with the start of autumn, but on that particular day, the rains seemed to fall and the winds appeared to waft through the air a littler harder than usual.
John glanced around at the tables, checking to see who was in the small cafe that day. He had gone in there almost everyday for the past four years for his morning cup of coffee and would stop by after work for an afternoon cup before heading home.
He was an investment banker across the street, who had gone in D&H Advertising to try and find a new look for the company he was trying to fire up. And just as his mind wandered to the agency in Sherman Oaks, he noticed Laura Horton sitting at a table alone, sipping a cup of hot coffee. Her blonde hair fell down past her shoulders, as she sat perfectly straight, bringing the steaming mug to her lips.
John got up and walked over to her, pulling out a chair for himself and sitting down without an invitation. Laura looked up and laughed, going back to the paper before her.
“Please Mr. Black, sit down why don’t you,” she teased, never once taking her eyes off of the paper.
“So Ms. Horton, I have never seen you around here before. What brings you to Amadeas?”
“Breaking up with a deadbeat boyfriend,” Laura smiled, finally looking up.
John noticed the color of her amber eyes matched Marlena’s greatly. There was something about Laura that John noticed to be strikingly similar to Marlena. But Laura seemed in better spirits even after breaking up with a boyfriend then Marlena seemed on her happiest day. Or maybe it was just him.
“You don’t seem to mind it,” he replied.
“Yeah well, like I said he was a deadbeat. And what about you Mr. Black? Do you have a girlfriend of the week?”
“You know, you don’t even know me, I could be highly offended by that comment.”
“But you’re not,” Laura smiled. “Because you know I am right.”
John shook his head, all the while laughing. “Touche. But to answer the question, I haven’t had a girlfriend in about two months. I have been trying to start up a new business which would be why I came into your office in the first place until your rude agent told me off.”
Laura shrugged her shoulders and smiled up at him. He was a good looking man, more than that, he was exceptionally handsome with his bright blue eyes and his ruffled dark brown hair. He was dressed like a million bucks in an Armani suit and loafers. He looked more like a hot shot lawyer than an investment banker but despite the job he was still incredible.
“What can I say. Never mess with Marlena and her driving. She takes it offensively when people criticize her. But that’s Marlena for you and you get used to her. But you really pissed her off,” she laughed.
“Yeah well, she pissed me off too,” he smiled. “Look, I have got to get back to work for an hour to make some phone calls, but can I interest you in dinner tonight?”
He seemed too suave and so sure of himself, that Laura couldn’t help but want to say yes. She didn’t know much about John Black but was rather intrigued to find out all she could, especially on what kind of business he had wanted from her agency. She shook her head, tilting her face as she smiled at him.
“All right. One dinner and only because I want your business back at my agency.”
John laughed and stood up pushing the chair in. “We’ll see,” he winked. “Meet you at Mateo’s at eight?”
“Sounds great, see you then.”
“Yeah, see you then.” He smiled at her once more and walked out of the cafe, suddenly anticipating his date with Laura Horton
Marlena turned up the stereo in her car as she drove along the Pacific Coast Highway on her way back to work. She took out a cigarette and lit it, allowing the warm breeze to wash over her. It had stopped raining only moments earlier and the smell of rain mixed with the ocean filled her with a sense of happiness. She glanced at her watch and realized she was already late for work, for the second time that day, but ignored it, knowing that if she picked up enough Starbucks for the troops, no one would be all that mad. The traffic was already brutal as she stopped at a red light, changing the radio station until she settled on a song by Richie Sambora.
“Now that man is gorgeous,” Marlena mused, “I wonder if Roman would agree to be a swinging couple for a night.”
The phone rang beside her and she picked it up, exhaling a long stream of smoke. “Brady.”
“It’s past one.”
“Laura? Would you do Richie Sambora?”
Back in the offices in Malibu, Laura laughed. “That’s one way to get me off your back for being late. You know I would. Not that he’d give up his wife for a day. Let’s face it, if I was married to her, I wouldn’t either.”
Marlena laughed. “I know I’m late. I’m stuck in traffic on PCH. Starbucks peace offering?”
“Oh, you know I can’t resist that.”
“I know. I’ll be at the office in about twenty minutes.”
**
Twenty minutes later on the dot, Marlena strolled into D&D Advertising with a couple of cups of steaming coffee. Placing it on the receptionist’s desk, she took two cups out of the holder and walked towards Laura’s office. She walked in without knocking like she usually did, after all, Laura had quickly become her best friend after working there for a few short weeks. She was on the phone when Marlena walked in and Laura held up her hand, signaling that she’d be right off.
“I don’t care what he told you, Doug … I need that campaign shot by Tuesday or else your fired … Yes, I understand you have a family, Doug, but that’s life. Now find a new location and a new photographer by the end of the day.”
Laura hung up the phone reaching for the Starbucks that Marlena was holding out for her. Marlena whistled sitting in a seat across from Laura’s desk.
“That was rough. What’s going on?”
Laura shook her head, taking a sip. “Sometimes I wonder why I hire certain agencies when they’re completely clueless about the business.” Laura took a deep breath and leaned back in her chair. “Mar, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“Are you firing me?” Marlena asked, nervously. “Because I explained about the traffic.”
Laura laughed. “Honey, as many times as you’re late, as many times I tease you that I’m going to can you, you are still my best agent. No, actually, it’s about John Black.”
Marlena looked at her, surprised. “What about him?”
“I just ran into him. I broke up with David and John happened to be there. We got to talking and he asked me out to dinner.”
“Did you say yes?”
Laura nodded. “I’m thinking about canceling though.”
“Why? The man is arrogant but he’s gorgeous. Besides, it’s one date. You may as well just give it a shot. He can’t be that bad.”
“Come with me.”
Marlena nearly choked on the sip of coffee she had just taken. Coughing for a minute, she cleared her throat, her eyes wide. “You have got to be kidding me!”
“You just said yourself that he can’t be that bad.”
“Yeah, for you! Laura, believe me. If I went, even if we made it a double date, John and I would not be able to stop bickering. Why ruin my evening and yours?”
Laura moved around to where Marlena was, sitting on her desk. “I can’t keep doing this, Marlena. I can’t keep going on dates that lead to nowhere. If you’re with me, there won’t be that pressure. I know you don’t like him and I’m sure he’ll be less than thrilled with you there but please.”
Marlena sighed. “How about this? John is never going to go for the idea of me chaperoning your date. I’ll convince Roman to take me out to dinner. We’ll go to the same restaurant you two are at. If things go bad, we’ll be right there. Where are you going anyway?”
“Nobu.”
Marlena scrunched her nose. “Don’t you hate Japanese?”
“He asked me if I liked it. I didn’t know what to say!”
“No probably would have been a good answer.”
“Come on, I really need you,” Laura begged, “besides you and Roman love Nobu. I’m asking for one night, Mar. Please.”
Marlena looked at the desperation in Laura’s eyes and reluctantly nodded. “Fine. But you owe me.”
Laura stood, kissing Marlena on the cheek. “I know I do. You are the best. I promise I’ll pay you back.”
“Can I leave work early?” Marlena grinned. “It’s going to take some convincing for Roman to go out to dinner tonight. I promised him some alone time.”
Laura laughed. “Go. Dinner is at seven. Don’t forget!”
Marlena stood. “Chill. I’ll be there.” Marlena started to walk towards the door when she stopped and turned around. “And Laura?” Laura looked up in question. “Nice job. He really is gorgeous.”
Laura laughed as Marlena walked out the door. She collapsed in her chair, gazing out the window. “Yes, that he is.”
Pulling her Mustang into the garage, Marlena took a deep breath knowing it wouldn’t be easy to convince Roman to go out to dinner tonight. She had promised him a night at home and while he loved Nobu, she knew tonight he would be less than thrilled with the plans. She walked into the house and could already smell Roman’s cooking on the stove. She winced and walked into the kitchen to find Roman standing there.
“You’re going to kill me,” she began.
He looked up at her and smiled. Throwing his apron down on the counter, he walked to her, pulling her to him by the waist. “That sounds promising. How about I put dinner on hold and we go upstairs.”
“You have to put dinner on hold but I’m not so sure you’re going to want to go upstairs after I tell you this. We have plans at seven. Dinner at Nobu.”
Marlena tried to walk away, but Roman held her arm firm. “Excuse me?”
“If we don’t go, I’m going to get fired.” Marlena pouted.
Roman looked at her skeptically. “Sweetheart, Laura would never fire you and we both know it. So what’s really going on? You know I didn’t want to go out tonight. Dinner for two? Candlelight, champagne, sex? Ring a bell?”
“We can do that any night, Roman! The truth is, Laura has a date tonight and after recent incidents with the men she has been seeing, she wanted a support group.”
“I’m not her parent, Marlena. As much as I adore Laura, I’d rather spend the night with my wife, not chaperoning her flavor of the week.”
Marlena took a step closer to Roman, kissing him tenderly on the lips. “I promise you, if you come with me tonight, I will owe you. Whatever you want, whatever wish you desire, it’s yours.”
Roman thought about it for a moment, unable to help the smile creeping onto his lips.
“You’ve got yourself a deal.” He pulled his wife to him, kissing her lips hungrily. “However, if I’m sitting through this tonight, you owe me now!” He smacked her butt and she laughed. “Meet you upstairs.” She winked, running up the stairs, Roman not far behind.
**
Fidgeting with the fifth dress she had tried on that night, Laura Horton sat inside Nobu, waiting for John. She had already downed her first cup of sake, anything to take away the first date nerves. She had done this so many times before, but it never seemed to get easier and she took another long swig of her already refilled glass. And as she finished the drink in another few seconds, John sat down, looking at Laura with apologetic eyes.
“Things got hectic at the office.” He looked at the sake on the table and couldn’t help but smile. “But I see you got started without me.”
Laura grinned, leaning one elbow on the table. “I sure did big boy! You want some?”
“Sure,” he replied, cautiously, “but you should let me pour it.”
He took the bottle out of her grasp and poured himself a glass. He poured a bit more into her glass, although he wasn’t sure if that was the smartest idea and raised it in a toast. Laura followed his motion, spilling a bit of liquid.
“To the first of many dates, I hope.”
**
On the other side of the wall aligning the restaurant, Marlena sat with Roman, fighting to hear every word that was being spoken. She moved her seat closer, while Roman rolled his eyes, wanting to be anywhere but where he was at the moment. Taking a long sip of white wine, Roman cleared his throat.
“Are you her mother?”
Marlena glanced at him, giving him the evil eye. “Shut up. She’s getting drunk, Roman.”
“Oh my God! Not drunk!” He rolled his eyes again. “Marlena, it seems Laura is doing fine and as much as I love the food here, I’d really rather be anywhere else at the moment.”
“You don’t get it,” Marlena snapped. “When Laura gets drunk on dates, it never ends up going well. We went out this one night when I first got my job at D&D. There were some really good looking guys right by us and Laura got a little nervous. She starts drinking and drinking and about twenty minutes later, she’s completely off her rocker. She doesn’t handle liquor very well.”
“Lucky for John,” Roman teased. “Who is this guy anyway?”
“He came into the office today.” Marlena neglected to tell Roman the real truth of the situation with John Black and just shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know, if I know Laura, this won’t last too long.”
Neither of them said anything for a moment and in silent chatter of the restaurant, Marlena heard the one thing she wished she could never hear again; Laura’s singing. Standing up quickly, without a word to Roman, Marlena rushed to the other side of the table, where John looked both surprised and relieved to see her.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“Saving your ass.”
Laura looked up and stopped her singing for a moment when she saw Marlena.
“Marleena! Remember that night when we got super drunk and did karaoke? I want to do that again,” Laura pouted.
“I know, sweetie,” Marlena replied, helping Laura up. “We will someday.”
“Now! Ready? Oooh, we’re halfway there, oooh livin on a prayer.” Laura giggled, scrunching up her nose. “How do you live on a prayer? Do you knock on the door and say ‘Hi prayer, may I live here?” She began to laugh hysterically at her own joke and with the help of John, Marlena pulled Laura out of the restaurant, all patrons eyes on them.
Laura could barely walk by the time the three of them made it outside and Marlena groaned, unable to support Laura at the moment.
“Well I guess I’ll never be allowed back here,” Marlena mumbled, once outside. She rummaged through Laura’s purse, finding her car keys. “Do me a favor? Drive her home. And while I don’t like you, I think it would be a smart bet to sleep on the couch tonight. She’s going to need it. She lives in Malibu on PCH. 32545.”
John took the keys from Marlena’s hand and Marlena almost had to feel bad for the guy. Supporting a drunk first date was never anybody’s idea of fun. “Some first date, huh?”
“Yeah,” Marlena smiled. “Some first date.”
She started to walk away, knowing she needed to get back to Roman when she turned back around to find John fastening Laura’s seatbelt. “Hey John?” He turned around. “Thank you.”
He smiled back at her and shut the passenger side door. “Not a problem.” Marlena walked back into the restaurant and John glanced back into the car at his highly intoxicated date. “I think,” he mumbled, getting into the car himself and speeding off, hoping beyond hope that Laura wouldn’t get sick on the drive home.
The Jarlena Journal 