The Good Life

Chapter 126

Marla sat at the kitchen table flipping through a trashy weekly magazine glancing over at her work bag. She reached over to pick it up hearing it slide against the bright wooden table not hearing a sound from any noise from children in the back.

How is that I remember how to write grants diagnosis people and provide needed therapy and support to others when I need support? This has been on my mind the last few days. How does this even work? I know what part of my brain is hurt. I know it can't be fixed. It might be the relationship part. The part that forms bonds and affection. But the part that helps me remember silly things for professional reasons in intact and perfect. Not that part that matters. The part that helps me remember my family and the silly things that my daughter does that reminds me of my husband. Or the part that helps me remember why I fell in love with Bruno. What happened? I don't understand.

She put down the journal burying it in the bag next to her. She picked it up throwing it in her pile of things. She glanced up at the clock seeing that it was almost 7:15. He said he was coming soon. She thought to herself. Where is he? He couldn't be hurt could he? She quickly reached over to her phone to text Bruno.

Where are you?

"I'm right here, Marley." She heard his voice from the back of the house. As he walked toward her she turned around and smiled. That's why I love him. Look at that smile. Look at how much he cares. "Hi." He leaned in to kiss her lightly putting his keys down on the counter reaching for her hands to lead her to the same spot she was sitting at before she texted him. "How was your day? Did the twins do okay when you left?"

"My day was good. It was normal. Nothing exciting. They were fine. I'm sure once Angelo realizes that I left he'll throw a fit, but Lisa can handle it." She laughed.

"I know she can. She's got three of her own that do exactly the same thing." He laughed. "Go get dressed. We're going out...." He said standing up.

"Where are we going?" she asked standing up watching him watch her intrigued.

"Baby...are you okay? You look really tired..." he said pulling her back down to the chair. "Is everything oaky? Nothing is blue is it? White?"

"I'm fine. Let's go to wherever you're going to take me..." she said to him standing up.

"We can stay here...we have every single movie in the world...." He said pointing to their cushy empty couch. "I know you like itttt...." He tried to seduce her onto the couch turning around not seeing that she left the room to change her clothes. "You knowwww....." he started to whine turning around. "Marla?"

"Let's go." She smiled jingling the car keys above her purse.

"Okay..." he said picking up a hat that now was covering a small receding hair line matching his father's shortened hairline. He took the keys and her hand to go into the driveway. He is so happy. What do I do? Do I tell him about how I am feeling? The questions I have? She thought to herself not questioning the direction he was driving.

"Bruno....this is where I used to work...." She told him pointing to the exit that he took. "Are we going to that restaurant I like?"

He turned to her with a smile. "You know me too well, Mar."

"No, you know me too well." She winked at him. "Even if I can't remember why I like it so much." She replied getting out of the car leading him into the small restaurant that smelled of comino, jalapenos and sweet bread. She smiled at the waitress starting to speak in Spanish quickly and rapidly unsure of exactly who she was talking to, even though the conversation flowed carefree and almost like it happened on a regular basis. Marla ordered for them, almost as a routine asking Bruno what he wanted to eat. He shrugged his shoulders and told her to order for him. Without hesitation she ordered the same thing she always did for them. "Bruno...." She paused after feeling the comfort of the exchange at the restaurant subside.