John and Marlena: The Divorce

Drunken words, sober thoughts.

Marlena's eyes began to flutter open, her long lashes attempting to stave off the sunlight awhile longer. She couldn't remember the last time she slept this soundly. Adjusting to the light, she finally allowed her eyes to open and scan the room. Her head pounded, a reminder of the wine from last night. John stirred beneath her, still asleep. She quickly sat up in bed, thankful that her sudden movement hadn't woken him. He was still in his clothes from last night as he laid propped up on the headboard. He didn't look comfortable, Marlena thought to herself as she tip toed out of bed. She looked down at her legs, blushing at the memory of undressing in front of John last night. And choosing not to wear anything but his old t-shirt. Shameful, she chastised herself. She promised herself that she wouldn't let him get to her when he inevitably came back to Salem. And here she was, half naked in bed with him again. Why was it always like this with John?

She tip toed to the dresser and pulled out a pair of leggings, closing the drawer slowly. She didn't want to wake him up. After all, what would she say? Would she kick him out? One thing was for certain - she didn't want to talk about what happened last night. A moment of weakness, that's all it was. She slid on her leggings, praying that her memory of falling asleep on his shoulder was all that happened last night.

"Good morning, sweetheart," John greeted her from the bed. His voice was full of rasp and slumber. She flinched at his use of 'sweetheart.'

"John-" she began, the tone in her voice disproving.

"Sorry, it's a habit," he smiled nervously, sitting up.

"Last night," she began, "shouldn't have happened. I was feeling vulnerable," she explained, refusing to meet his gaze. She looked toward the window.

"Is that what that was?" John asked wryly, standing to button his shirt.

"Yes. I was vulnerable and I shouldn't have allowed myself to drink around you."

"What's that supposed to mean?" John lifted an eyebrow, pissed off.

"I put myself in a situation in which I could be taken advantage," Marlena explained, knowing full well John would never take advantage of her. But she wasn't going to admit that her body still craved him, despite everything he put her through.

"Marlena, don't-" John cut her off. "That's not what it was and you know it."

"No. What I know is that this can't happen again. It won't. The divorce will be final. And then we can move on with our lives," Marlena asserted, putting on her best brave face.

"Do you really think that's possible?" John asked, staring at Marlena's fists which were balled up at her sides. She always made fists when she was nervous; that was one aspect of their marriage he hadn't forgotten.

"I don't know, but I'm sure as hell going to try. Now, if you'll excuse me...I have patients to see." Marlena grabbed her robe and headed for the shower.

John stood in what used to be their bedroom, stunned.

--

Marlena arrived to work late, flustered by her morning with John. She sat her chamomile tea down on her desk and sank into her chair. She donned her tortoise shell glasses and logged into her computer. An email from the hospital's board of directors. She opened the email and discovered she had to attend an impromptu board meeting this morning. Great. A knock at the door interrupted her reading.

"Come in," she spoke from her desk.

"Hello, Dr. Evans," spoke a warm voice. Marlena looked up from her computer to see her colleague, Dr. Robert Barnes. He had flown in from San Diego a few weeks ago to consult on a particularly difficult patient of hers. She was fortunate that he was able to stay for more than few days.