The Affair

Lunch

Roman, Bo and Abe sat in a booth at The Pub. It was lunch time and they still hadn’t come up with a solution. Roman looked at his watch for the third time since they arrived.

“Roman, is there somewhere you have to be?” Abe asked.

“Uh, no; why do you ask?”

Abe answered, “Because that’s the third time you’ve looked at your watch since we sat down. What’s going on?”

Roman smiled. “I sent Doc some roses today and they should be arriving any minute. It’s what the florist told me.”

“Ah, romance is in the air. No wonder you’re nervous.”

Bo said nothing. He knew the reason behind the roses.

Roman shook his head. “I can’t help it if I’m the romantic type of guy.” He took a bite of his sandwich. Between the single rose on his pillow, the note he left her and now the dozen of roses, he was right on time with Phase Two of Operation Romance. Now all he had left to do was call and let her know the time and place of their date.

**********************************************

It had been a busy morning for Marlena. It was back to back patients. She hadn’t time to breathe let alone call John. By the time she looked up it was already lunch time. There was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

It was her secretary holding a dozen of red roses. “Delivery for you; they’re absolutely beautiful.” She placed them on Marlena’s desk. “Dr. Evans, I’m going out for lunch, is there anything you need before I leave?”

“No thank you Diane.” She didn’t have to look at the card; she knew they were from Roman.

Diane turned and left. Dr. Evans was definitely a lucky woman she thought.

Marlena sat there alone in her office. Finally she had a little time. Just as she was about to dial John’s number there was another knock at the door. Would she ever get to talk to John?

“Come in.”

It was Laura. She should have known Laura wouldn’t let it go. Laura walked in and sat down. “Beautiful roses.” She noticed the card hadn’t been touched.

“Yes they are. Roman sent them.”

“I figured as much.”

“Well what can I do for you?”

“You can say that you’ll have lunch with me. Before you try and turn me down, just know I’m not taking no for an answer. We don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to; I just think you need to get away from here for a little while.”

Marlena knew it was useless to put up any kind of argument. Once Laura made up her mind, she was a pretty determined woman. And the truth was, she needed to get away for a little while; besides she was hungry. “Sounds good to me. Let me fix my makeup.” Marlena opened her purse and looked for her lipstick. Naturally it was at the bottom of her purse. She began to empty her purse; keys, compact, wallet, comb, receipts, a slip of paper, everything but the lipstick. At last she found it. As she was putting everything back into her purse, her eyes focused in on the slip of paper. It was the note Roman left for her on his pillow. She had forgotten all about it. She hadn’t even read it. Oh well, now was not the time. She shoved it back in her purse; she would read it later.

Laura watched her closely. She saw the way Marlena looked at the slip of paper but said nothing. “So where do you want to go?”

Marlena thought about it for a minute and then said, “How about the diner we had breakfast at a while back. The food was pretty good.”

“Let’s go.”

**********************************************

He was starving. He hadn’t had anything to eat since yesterday. John reached for the phone to order lunch; but instead changed his mind. He needed to get out of the office. He’d been stuck in his office since he arrived at work. It had been one emergency after another. It was days like this one when he missed being a cop. Being a CEO of a major company wasn’t as glamorous as people thought. It was constantly being on the phone and making decisions. Just as he was getting ready to leave his phone rang.

“John Borne.”

“Mr. Borne, I’m just calling to let you I’ve taken care of everything.”

“Great, I appreciate this. Your check will be waiting for you at the front desk.”

He hung up the phone and left his office. On the way out, he stopped at his secretary’s desk. “Judy, I’m going to step out for a bite to eat. I won’t be long.”

**********************************************

Laura and Marlena walked into the diner. The place was crowded but they found a booth in the back. Marlena spoke first, “I guess the food is better than I remembered.”

“Seems that way.”

The waitress walked over and handed them menus. “I’ll be back in a few minutes to take your order.”

Both Marlena and Laura looked over the menu. Even though she hadn’t really had anything to eat, and she was hungry when she left her office, her appetite suddenly disappeared. “I think I’ll just have a salad.”

“I think I’ll have the soup and sandwich combo. I’m really hungry.” Laura closed her menu and studied her friend. At least there was a little color in her cheeks. She had been right to insist they go out to lunch. Marlena needed a little distraction from whatever was bothering her. She was sure it had something to do with John and Roman but she wouldn’t push it today. They would talk about trivial things, nothing too important.

“You know Marlena, I know we have to have those weekly staff meetings, but I swear they bore me to tears. It’s the same old thing over and over again.”

”I know what you mean. I never knew I would have to attend so many meetings when I came on the staff.”

The waitress came back and took their order.

“Sometimes I just want to scream enough is enough. We say the same thing every week.”

Marlena laughed. It felt wonderful. She really needed this lunch. “I don’t think Tom would appreciate it.”

“No he wouldn’t; but he’d understand. He hates them as much as we do. It’s one of the responsibilities of being Chief of Staff. Once he told me, if he could, he’d give it up and just be a doctor again. He misses the one on one with the patients. It’s more paperwork than anything else.”

*************************************************

John pulled into the diner parking lot. It was packed. Word had gotten around. The service was good, the food was great and the prices were reasonable. All in all a perfect place for lunch. He hadn’t been here since the night after the blackout. The night Marlena finally admitted she loved him. As he got out of his car he made up his mind that as soon as he got back to the office, before he did anything else he would call her. They needed to talk. John walked into the diner and looked around for an empty table or a place at the counter.

**************************************************

“I figured as much. He’s not the kind of ….” Inexplicably Marlena stopped in mid sentence. It was as if something compelled her to look up.

There was a place at the counter but for some reason he didn’t want to sit there. He walked towards the back of the diner.

“Marlena are you alright.”

She didn’t answer; she didn’t even hear the question.

Laura followed Marlena’s gaze. There he was; John. I’ll be damn she thought.

John felt her presence before he saw her. There she was; sitting with Laura. He walked over to their booth. “Do you ladies mind if I join you?”

Marlena couldn’t speak. He took her breath away.

Laura jumped to her rescue, “No of course not John. We’re just having a bite to eat.”

“Thanks.” He slid in the booth next to Marlena. “I’ve been cooped up in my office all morning long and I had to get out for some fresh air.” His thigh accidentally brushed up against hers.

Marlena still hadn’t said a word.

Again it was Laura to her rescue, “I know exactly what you mean. I just needed to get away from the hospital and I talked Marlena into joining me for lunch.”

Before anyone could say anything else the waitress returned with their food. “Do you need to see a menu sir?”

He had been starving but now all thoughts of food were gone. Marlena was sitting right next to him. “Uh no thanks. I’ll just have a club sandwich.”

Silence settled between them. Laura sensed they needed a moment alone. “If you’ll excuse me I’ll be right back.” She slid from the booth and walked to the bathroom.

As soon as Laura was gone, John spoke, “Doc, I know we don’t have a lot of time before Laura comes back so I just want to say I’m so sorry about last night. It was all my fault.”

She finally found her voice, even though it was little more than a whisper, “John.” Her hands were clasped together resting on her lap.

Just the way she said his name caused his heart to beat faster.

Being this close to him was unbearable. “John I uh have to go to the ladies room.”

He was heartbroken. She was still angry with him. Slowly he slid out of her way. Marlena bolted from the booth.

Laura was on her way back to the table when Marlena rushed passed her into the ladies room. She started to turn and go after her but something told her Marlena needed to be alone. She headed back towards the booth, towards John.

“John, what’s the matter with Marlena? Is she alright?”

At first John said nothing. Then, “I think she wasn’t feeling well.”

“Maybe I should go check on her.”

“You know, she’ll probably be right back and I just realized I’m running a little late. I need to check in with my office. I’ll be right back.”

Before Laura could protest, he was gone. Laura sat alone with her food as John headed towards the pay phone in the back of the diner. She didn’t for one minute believe Marlena was ill or that John needed to make a phone call. Whatever it was, they would have to work it out she told herself. She began eating her lunch.

Marlena stood alone in front of the sink in the ladies room. There was so much she wanted to say, had to say to John but when he was that close to her she couldn’t think clearly. When his leg accidentally brushed up against hers, she felt like she had been branded with a red hot poker. The door opened. She didn’t have to look in the mirror, she knew it was him. She turned and faced him.

He stood there. Just as he was about to speak, she rushed into his arms pushing him against the door. “Shh, don’t say a word.” They didn’t have much time and both of them knew it. Her arms went around his neck. She pressed her body into his and attacked his mouth. At first stunned by her actions, John’s arms remained at his side. But as soon as he felt her tongue probing for entrance into his mouth he was spurred into action. His hands became entangled in her hair. The kiss was as passionate as any previous one they shared. He quickly reversed their positions, pinning her into the door and pressing his body into hers. She began to moan into his mouth. Finally they pulled apart. They stood there staring at each other, both trying to catch their breath. He watched as her chest rose and fell rapidly while she tried to recover from the kiss they shared. John spoke first.

“Marlena . . .”

Again she wouldn’t let him continue, “It’s alright my love.”

There was so much that needed to be said but this was neither the time nor the place and they both knew it. Right now the only thing they could take comfort in was the love they shared. She reached up and traced his jaw line with her hand allowing her hand to linger on his face. “You better go now.”

He knew she was right. They were taking a big chance with him in the bathroom with her but it was so hard for him to leave. John took her hand from his face and pressed his lips in the palm of her hand; his eyes never leaving hers. It was a simple kiss but one that sent shivers up and down her spine. The look in his eyes sent a clear message; he loved her and he wanted her. “I know; but first this.” He placed her hands into his and raised them above her head while pinning her against the door with his body. Next he leaned in and kissed the base of her neck slowly working his way up to her mouth.

Marlena began to moan ever so softly as her desire for him began to overtake her. She whispered his name, “John.” It took every bit of strength she possessed to continue, “You have to leave now. Please baby.” She was begging him.

Slowly he lowered her hands and stepped back from her. “I just wanted to show you how much I love you.”

Marlena weak with desire could barely move. Somehow she managed to step aside so he could leave. John opened the door and left Marlena standing there alone. She made her way to the counter and leaned against it waiting until she regained her composure; until she could face him and Laura again.

By the time John arrived back at the booth his sandwich was waiting for him. After his brief encounter with Marlena he was no longer hungry for food and totally distracted. Marlena was on his mind. He absentmindedly picked at his food; not really enjoying it but eating because he knew it would be a while before he ate again.

As soon as he sat down, Laura stood up. “I’ll be right back; I’m just going to check on Marlena.” John was lost in his own thoughts. Laura walked in the bathroom and saw Marlena leaning against the counter with her eyes closed. “Are you alright? John said you weren’t feeling well.”

Marlena opened her eyes and saw Laura standing next to her. She nodded her head and said, “I’m fine. I just felt a little dizzy.”

“Marlena, when are you going to talk to me?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You know damn well what I’m talking about.” She looked around to make sure they were alone before she continued. “I’m talking about you and John. You might be able to fool everyone else but I know you better than you know yourself.” She took her friend’s hand, “Talk to me.”

Just knowing she finally had someone she could confide in helped to ease her burden. It felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders. “Is it that obvious?”

“It is to me. I’ve known you for a long time and I remember how happy you were with him.”

“Laura, I promise I will tell you everything.”

“But first you need to talk to John. Am I right?”

Marlena nodded her head in agreement. It was amazing her friend knew her so well. “I really do. We had a misunderstanding and I have no I need to clear it up.”

“Tell you what; I’ll check in at the hospital and that way you can talk to John in private. If anyone else comes in you can say I’m on the phone.”

She squeezed Laura’s hand in appreciation. “Thank you for being my friend.”

“Always, now go talk to John. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

Marlena walked back to the booth leaving Laura standing by the pay phone. She slid in next to John placing her hands in her lap.

“Is everything alright? Where’s Laura?”

“Everything’s fine. She’s on the phone.”

“Doc, is everything ok with you and Laura? Does she know?”

“It’s fine; we’re fine. She knows; apparently she’s known for a while now.”

John breathed a sigh of relief. He was glad Marlena finally had someone to confide in. He knew it had been hard for her not being able to talk to Laura. They had been friends for years and he knew she would always be there for Marlena just the way he would always be there for her.