Never Forgotten

Part 10

Part 10

There was an awkward silence as everybody looked at each other.

Marlena's eyes darted nervously back and forth between John, his wife, Jack and Brady, who she hadn't seen since he was a baby.

Jack was the first to break the uncomfortable silence.

"Dr. Evans! Waow, you really know how to kick a ball" he said laughing as he rose to his feet.

"Oh well actually it was my son, but I'm flattered that you think that I would possess such a talent" she laughed quietly while eyeing John.

"Do you two know each other?" Rebecca suddenly interrupted curiously as she pointed at John and Marlena, referring to the fact that her husband apparently knew the name of this pretty Doctor. 

Marlena looked at John nervously. He seemed nervous too, as he looked around at his family who was staring at him, waiting for an answer.

How could he explain how he knew Marlena without going into detail. It was the first time that his family had met somebody from his past, a past they knew nothing about. And she wasn't just someone insignificant. This was Marlena!!

Just as John was about to come up with an answer, a small wind blew and caught Marlenas hair, exposing a red mark behind her ear, left by his hungry mouth. The knot in his stomach clenched, as flashes of him biting her soft flesh, flashed before him.

"John!!" Rebecca said in a certain tone which left no doubt that she required an answer now.

Shaking his head to clear the images from his mind, he looked back at his wife.

"Ahm.. yes.. we knew each other a long time ago" again it wasn't a direct lie.

John looked back at Marlena, hoping that she wouldn't say anything more about that.
Marlena saw his pleading eyes and that was when she figured it all out. His family knew nothing about her, about the life he used to live here in Salem and about the family he used to have here. Apparently he never told them anything.
The psychiatrist in her knew why he may have wanted to start over when he left Salem and erase all memories of his life here. It was a normal coping mechanism for people who had experienced a great amount of trauma, pain and loss. But as a woman, as his former wife and lover, she couldn't help but feel sad and disappointed.

Rebecca saw the silent conversation taking place between her husband and this beautiful woman. She had a feeling that there was more to the story. She had never seen John nervous or affected by the presence of a person. Something was going on..

John selfishly needed to get the attention away from himself, so he turned to Jack.

"How do you know Dr. Evans?" John asked.

This wasn't exactly how he wanted to tell his parents that he was seeing a psychiatrist but there was no way out now.

Jack looked at his parents "I have actually been seeing Dr. Evans for the last couple of months. I haven't told you because I didn't want to worry you. Nothing is wrong or anything, but I just have some things that I need to talk about with someone outside of the family". He hoped they would understand and not question him any further, not right now anyway, with Dr. Evans standing right there.

John looked at Jack with pride and love as he put a hand on his shoulder. "Good for you son. I know for a fact that you have found the best doctor in the world." He said and winked at his son before turning to look at Marlena.

Marlena stood frozen. So much was happening all at once, it was too much for her to comprehend. All eyes were on her, staring at her with a mix of emotions. Nervousness, appreciation, mistrust and questioning.
She needed to remove herself from this situation.
She looked at Jack and said " Well, I need to get back to my family. Again, I am so sorry for this mess" gesturing at the blanket covered in spilled food and drinks.
"Jack it was nice seeing you and your lovely family" Marlena said as she smiled to the faces staring at her. She quickly glanced at John and nodded before she turned around and walked away.