Anymore

Chapter 16

Marlena shoved the rest of the towels in the dryer and yelled. "Samantha? Don't forget to pack your geometry workbooks!"

Sami came into the kitchen and sat at the table watching Marlena in the laundry room. "Mom... it's summer!"

Marlena walked through the door with the laundry basket propped on her hip. "Exactly, you need to keep it fresh in your head my dear if you want to get into that AP class next year."

Sami huffed and grabbed some socks out of the basket her mother sat on the table. "Fine... still not fair."

Marlena laughed. "Are you all packed? We have to be out the door by 10am tomorrow."

Sami smiled. "Yep... it was really nice of Mr. Kiriakis to have his plane drop us in Colorado."

Laura walked through the kitchen door laughing. "He's no dummy... he knew your mother would have one more excuse to go on this trip if she could fly with you all to Colorado and get to see your grandparents and brother."

Sami smiled at Laura as Marlena rolled her eyes. "Yes... he knows what buttons to push that's for sure." Marlena piled the folded clothes in the basket. "Sami will you take this up to Carrie please?"

Sami stood. "Sure Mom."

Laura came and sat in Sami's vacated chair. "Do you all need a ride to the airport tomorrow?"

Marlena giggled grimly. "Ah no... the benevolent Mr. Kiriakis is sending his limo."

Laura laughed while watching Marlena stare at her hands which grabbed an envelope off the table. Marlena turned the envelope over and over.

Laura pointed at it. "Anything interesting?"

Marlena shrugged. "Depends who you ask." She handed it to Laura. "Read it... it was delivered this morning."

Laura removed the single sheet of paper from the envelope and scanned it. She looked up at Marlena. "Are you friggin kidding me?"

Marlena rolled her eyes. "Sweet isn't it?"

Laura slapped it down on the table. "Of all the nerve "you'll get over it"... I can't believe his audacity!"

"Did you enjoy the part where he said he hopes I reconsider going to this conference?"

"Marlena... I... I'm sorry. I just... that man has become intolerable!"

Marlena wiped away a lone tear. "After John left I thought things might get better between Roman and I... ya know?"

Laura nodded. "Well it's a logical assumption. Roman no longer had John's presence and the specter or your past together right in front of him."

Marlena huffed. "Exactly! If anything... everything has gotten worse."

"Do you think Roman senses it? Your feelings for John I mean?"

Marlena sat across from Laura in a huff. "I don't know, perhaps. He never said anything." She rested her head in her hands. "I hate my life right now."

Laura reached across the table and took her hand, pulling it down from hiding her face. "I'm sorry honey. Maybe this trip will help you. Get your mind off your troubles for awhile?"

"Who knows...it's not like all my troubles won't be here when I get back."

"Come on honey, think positively!" Laura grabbed the letter off the table. "So..." waving it in the air. "Are you gonna go through with what you said?"

Marlena grabbed the letter. Staring at it her eyes began to water. "I don't know yet... what do you think I should do?"

Laura smiled gently. "I think... you should do what you feel is right."