Anymore

Chapter 15

Sami sat at the coffee table working on her art project while Carrie sat in the arm chair flipping through a fashion magazine, her legs hanging over the armrest. Roman sat at the dining room table with his files spread out, while Marlena and Laura sat on the sofa chatting.

"Mr. Jenkins is such a pompous ass." Marlena said, making Sami giggle.

Laura laughed. She turned and rested her back against the armrest, pulling her legs up to sit Indian still and face Marlena fully. "Speaking of pompous asses, I ran into Victor after the board meeting."

Marlena rolled her eyes. "What did he have to say?"

Laura shrugged while sipping her coffee. "Nothing much, he wanted to make sure I wasn't offended that he recommended you."

Marlena let out a laugh. "Like he actually cares if he offends someone."

Sami glanced up from her project. "What did Mr. Kiriakis recommend you for Mom?"

"Oh he recommended me to represent the hospital at the Psychiatric Association Conference."

Carrie sat up slightly. "In Italy?

Marlena and Laura looked at her quickly, both speaking in unison. "How did you know that?"

Carrie grinned. "I volunteer at the hospital... I hear things."

Roman cleared his throat. "I hope you told that smug bastard what he could do with his recommendation."

Marlena looked at Roman who was staring daggers at her. "As a matter of fact no... we hadn't come to any decision."

Carrie sat up putting her magazine in the rack. "You should totally go."

Marlena shook her head. "I don't think so, honey."

Sami looked at her curiously. "Why not?"

"Because the conference is 6 weeks long."

Laura smiled. "Yes, but it's not till the 2nd week of June. The kids will be out of school."

Carrie stood. "See you should totally go Marlena, remember Sami and I are spending the summer in Colorado with Eric."

Sami stood up, and began to clean up her project. "Yeah Mom... it sounds like it could be fun. I mean probably not the whole conference part... but getting to explore Italy in your down time." Laura and Marlena laughed.

Roman banged his fist on the table. "Absolutely not! This is a horrible idea!" Roman stood abruptly. "Why can't Laura go?"

Laura huffed. "Why does everyone keep throwing me under the bus?" Marlena smirked at her.

Roman stormed off to the kitchen after being ignored and the girls gathered up their stuff and headed towards the stairs. Carrie turned. "And on that note, we are headed to bed."

Marlena smiled at the girls. "Good night my sweet girls. Oh Carrie..." She motioned by the front door. "Will you take my briefcase up to my room please." She said with a wink.

"Sure thing." She smiled, grabbing the bag and following Sami up the stairs.

Laura stood next. "I better be heading out too, it's way past my bedtime." Marlena walked her to the door. Laura put her coat on. "Are we still on for lunch tomorrow?"

Marlena leaned in and hugged her. "Absolutely, 12:30 at Johnny Angels?"

"Sounds good... tomorrow be sure to tell me about the bug that's up Roman's ass."

Marlena laughed. "Oh it's a doozy!" Laura left the house laughing.

As she started picking up the plates and cups Roman came bounding into the living room. "So when do you tell him you're not going?"

She looked up. "I beg your pardon?"

He huffed. "When are you telling that arrogant son-of-a-bitch that you aren't going?"

Marlena continued cleaning up. "I thought it was smug bastard?"

"Don't be cute with me Marlena! You aren't thinking of going are you?"

"I haven't really given it much thought either way."

"Good then don't..."

Marlena stood straight, "Roman, you have no say in the matter." She walked into the kitchen with Roman on her heels.

"Oh but you can dictate my job to me?"

"Difference is, my job doesn't have the potential of getting me killed." She began to wash the dishes.

"Oh really... does Stella Lombard ring a bell?"

She whipped around. "Don't even bring that up! Does being shot, supposedly dying in Bo's arms and being held captive for years ring a BELL?"

"That was Stefano... not the ISA!"

Marlena groaned in frustration and turned back to resume doing the dishes. "The fact remains, you are getting upset about something that I never even said I was going to do!" She threw the dish rag into the sink and turned to face him. "I'm not arguing with you about this anymore! If I want to go to this conference I will." She dried her hands on the tea towel. "And if you go on this ISA mission... I am filing for separation! I won't put up with you putting your life in danger... I can't live my life that way anymore!"

Roman yelled as he stalked to the back door, "Fucking hypocrite..." slamming the door behind him.