Coming Home
Marlena glanced into the full length mirror in her bedroom. Her quest for tonight seemed simple enough.
‘All right, all I have to do is, go downstairs to my mother’s stupid party. Get my cheeks pinched a few times, listen to people say how much I’ve grown, then say I have a headache and excuse myself,’ Marlena thought to herself.
Even though she was a doctor of psychiatry, everyone still acted as though she were a child. Her sister Samantha came up with about the same plan. Except she would play out her role much more. She needed the practice as an actress before she left that summer to Hollywood.
“Marlena! Guests are starting to arrive so get down here!” Martha Evans called up to her daughter.
“Coming!!!” Marlena answered and found her other ivory colored shoe.
She stepped off the staircase to stand next to her father as they greeted the family and friends that her parents had invited. After about 50 people had entered into the ballroom, Mrs. Evans decided it was time to mingle. Sam and Marlena had stayed behind for a moment.
“30 more minutes then you can go, deal?” Sam smiled. She wasn’t about to go, she was loving the attention she was getting.
“No, sister dearest. If it was a deal, I’d be getting something in return, which I am not,” Marlena reminded her twin.
You are getting something in return! Do you know how many single men Mommy invited just to try and get you to think of someone besides John?”
Sam asked but realized that it may not of been the wisest course of action as dagger eyes looked back at her.
“It doesn’t matter! John is coming back, I know he is,” Marlena said not only trying to convince her sister, but herself.
“Marly, it’s been almost 2 years. He left you, you have to get over it and move on,” Sam said softly and put her arm around Marlena.
“30 more minutes, that’s it,” Marlena said as she and Sam walked into the ballroom as eyes looked in through the window.
As soon as the twins walked in the were surrounded by people. Sam loved it but Marlena felt as though she wanted to disappear into a corner. Her father saw her daughters face from across the room and decided to rescue her.
“Marlena! Come here, I want you to meet some friends of mine,” Mr. Evans called and Marlena quickly fled towards her Dad.
“Mike, this is my daughter, Dr. Marlena Evans. Marly, this is Dr. Michael Horton, hopefully our new C.O.S. at the hospital,” Mr. Evans proudly said.
“Hello, Dr. Horton, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Marlena said and shook Mike’s hand.
“The pleasure is all mine Dr. Evans. Your father tells me you’re a psychiatrist?”
Yep, I’ve only had my degree a few months though,” Marlena explained.
Ah, well, perhaps you’ll consider joining your father as a resident doctor at University?” Mike asked.
“I’m not really sure what I’d like to do at this point. Um, actually if you’ll excuse me, I think I’m going to go up to my room for the night.
Night, Daddy. Nice meet you, Dr. Horton,” Marlena said and quickly walked across the room.
Marlena took off her heels and sprinted up the stairs. She walked into her room and locked the door behind her. Throwing her shoes near her closet and pulling the hair clips from her hair, she stepped into the bathroom when she heard a tapping on the window. She turned to see John there in the tree. She walked over to her window seat where she opened her window to let John in. As he came in the room, Marlena stepped back a few feet from him.
“Hey, Doc,” John grinned.
Marlena raised her hand and it went flying across John’s face.
The Jarlena Journal 