Blurred Lines

Chapter 3 - Bridge Over Troubled Water

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When you're weary

You're feeling small

When tears are in your eyes

I will dry them all

I'm on your side

When times get rough

And friends just can't be found

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dr. Marlena Evans Office, Salem University Hospital

Thursday, May 28, 1992

The weather was finally warming up, and Marlena was glad. That was probably the only thing she was happy about. Taking long walks in the mornings as the sun came up, or evening strolls along the pier, those were the moments she looked forward to. Those and her meetings with John. She looked forward to those probably more than she should. She'd argued with Roman that morning at the precinct. It was days like that, the days that started off with anger and misunderstanding, that made her wonder what she was trying to accomplish in her marriage with Roman. It made her question everything. Roman seemed so content. He wore her on his arm like a trophy, but she was no one's trophy. Or was she? Was she the prize that Roman Brady won after his seven years with Stefano? Was she the prize he won after coming home, and displacing John? Marlena wiped the tear that fell from her eye, and thought about their argument earlier.

Marlena was reading as Abe walked into the office. She was so deep into the file in front of her that when she heard him say from behind her, "Marlena?" she was startled.

"Oh, hi, Abe," she said, closing the file in her hands in distraction.

"Did we have a meeting?" he asked.

A meeting? She was still thinking about the file in her hands as she said, "Oh, uh, no. I came by looking for Roman. You haven't seen him, have you?"

"Um, uh, yeah. We just had a staff meeting. He's debating with the sergeant on the way the riots in LA were handled," he told her.

Marlena chuckled, "Oh, well, he could be gone for hours then."

Abe laughed, "Yeah, well you know your husband. Once he gets a point of view, he's harder to move than the rock of Gibraltar."

"Yes," Marlena agreed, still thinking about the file in her hand. "Uh, Abe, I couldn't help looking through this chart." She handed it to him, "I hope you don't mind."

"The Flanders file," he said.

Marlena saw Abe's reaction, and she said, "Yes. He's got quite a record, doesn't he?"

Abe turned away from her, saying, "It's gone from bad to worse."

She knew he was avoiding eye contact, and she had a feeling that had something to do with Roman. Stepping closer, she spoke to Abe's back, "You think he can be helped?"

Abe sighed deeply, turning to face her, "I, uh, I didn't say that–"

"--I know you didn't. I read your notes," she said. "I know you pretty well. I want the Flander's case Abe."

From behind her, Roman was walking in the door, and said, "Forget it."

She was instantly irritated. Why wouldn't Roman allow her to do the job she was hired to do? Turning around, she said, "Excuse me?"