Post by Tammy on Aug 17, 2006 11:24:27 GMT -5
It is almost lunch time and the pub is jam packed, I haven’t sat down once since I got here this morning. This morning’s events are still bothering me and I have been distracted all day. I turn around from the counter when I hear that my tables order is up at the grill. When I turn around I bumped right into Hope and I watched as her tray goes crashing to the floor. “Oh…Hope I am so sorry. I will clean that up.” I bend down to start picking the mess up when Hope grabs my hand, “Mar…girl you need to relax. Go take a break, I will pick it up.” I shook my head, “I appreciate it Hope…but I can’t afford to take a break…it is lunch time…business is still pretty heavy.” When I was bent over cleaning up the mess Hope had waived Caroline over, “Marlena…dear come with me.” Caroline bent down…grabbed my hand…and walked me out the back of the Brady Pub and into the Brady living room. Their house was attached to the back of the Pub, which was convenient. Caroline made me sit on the sofa and handed me some water, “Marlena dear…what is wrong?” I shook my head, “Nothing is wrong Caroline, why do you ask?” She sat down beside me and gave me a stern look. That kind of look a mother gives to a child who snuck a cookie out of the cookie jar. “Marlena…don’t give me that cock and bull story that nothing is wrong. Every time that something is bothering you, you bury yourself with work so no one can tell that something is bothering you. Well…incase you have forgotten…I’m not just anyone. I know you better than I know some of my own children. Now spit it out.” I had to laugh at her, when she puts her mind to something she just won’t give up on it. “Okay…okay! It is nothing major…I am just…worn out. Dad…well dad hasn’t been much help lately.” Caroline nodded her head at me, she knew exactly what I was talking about. She knows first hand how my father behaves. “Speaking of dad not helping out…have you heard from Bo today?” “Yes I have…he should be stopping by here in about…an hour. Why do you ask?” I hate having to do this. I hate having to depend on others, for help. “Well…dad informed me this morning that he was going ‘out with the guys’ after work. And…well I have class tonight. I need to see if Bo can watch the boys until about 10:30...if he doesn’t have plans.” Caroline smile her trademark smile at me, “Marlena…dear heart…why didn’t you say something! You know that I will watch the boys when ever you need me too. You should know that we will do what ever we can to help you.” I know that Caroline means well…and I love her for it. But sometimes it just feels like the Brady’s…pity me! “I know that Caroline…it’s just that…” Caroline nods, she knows what I am going to say before I even say it. “I know…you don’t like to depend on anyone for anything! Dear heart…you can’t go through life and never depend on anyone.” Sometimes I feel like Caroline can see right through me. She has always been there for me, even though she didn’t have to be. I think that is why I never want to ask her for help…I guess it feels like I’m taking advantage of her and her generous, loving nature. Caroline wipes the hair out of my eyes and it brings me out of my thoughts. “Marlena…I know that your family…hasn’t exactly given you much of a reason to…believe in people. And you know…how I feel about your family…as far as I can see… they take advantage of you.” I hold up my hand trying to stop her mid-sentence but she keeps going. “I’m sorry Marlena…I know that you hate hearing this but it is true. I mean for crying out loud…you are 21 years old! You should be out having fun with your friends. You shouldn’t be raising two children, who aren‘t even yours…working a full time job…and going to school full time! I know why you take care of the boys…and I applaud you for it. But would it kill someone to HELP YOU! Ever since I have known you…you have been the only ADULT in your family.” Caroline was huffing and puffing and I had to let out a small giggle. “Well Caroline…tell me how you really feel.” She looked at me and let out a small giggle of her own. “I am sorry I went on a bit of a tirade. It’s just that…Oh never mind.” Caroline sat down beside me and took my chin in her delicate little palm and turn my face so that she was staring right into my eyes. “Marlena…if there is one thing the Brady’s know first hand…it’s that bloodlines don’t make a family…Love DOES! We all love you…and those boys! I don’t want you to ever feel like you can’t come to us if you need help! For heavens sake…John and Christian call Shawn and I grandpa and grandma. The three of you are our family…don’t EVER forget that. You hear me young lady?” “Yes ma’am!” Caroline laughed at me and gave me a hug. Her heart felt speech brought tears to my eyes. Sometimes I think that she loves me more than my own mother. When Caroline pulled back from our hug she wiped away my tears. “Now…why don’t you go out front and wait for Bo to show up. You officially have the rest of the day off.” “But Caroline…” I tried to protest but she gave me a warning look, “Thanks Caroline.”
I am sitting at the bar sipping a soda when Hope comes up and plops down on the stool beside me. “Hey Mar…feeling better?” “Yeah I am feeling a lot better thanks. I have just been stressed out…You know?” Hope nods her head at me. She knows all about my family as well. I guess it is hard to keep things secret in such a small town. That doesn’t matter though…Hope is my best friend…if I can’t confide in her, who can I confide in. Hope went behind the bar to get some drinks for a table but before she walks away I stop her, “Hey Hope…do you and Bo have any plans tonight?” “I have class tonight…but I’m not sure if Bo has anything planned.” As she gathers up her customers order I hear the bell on the front door ring. Hope looks up and a huge smile crosses her face, “Well speak of the devil.” I turned around and saw Bo approaching the bar with someone that I have only seen maybe once or twice. He is tall…about 6’2...with wavy black hair…a very sculpted body…and the bluest eyes I think I have ever seen! I am startled out of my daydream by Bo’s voice, “Hey there fancy face…How is the worlds most perfect girlfriend.” I had to laugh at Bo and Hope…those two are so in love…it is almost nauseating at times. Then Bo looked at me with a goofy grin on his face, “Hey sis…how is the worlds best little sister?” I let out a small giggle, “You are such a dork Bo” Bo grabbed his chest in a weak attempt at humor, “Oh…a dagger straight to my heart!” That is my brother…always the joker…but he is also the nicest guy that you could ever want to meet. Sometimes I envy Hope…I hope that she realizes how good she has it…being loved by someone like Bo. I glance over and see Caroline come out of the kitchen and walk over and give Bo a hug. Bo kisses her on the cheek, “Hey Ma…how was business today?” Caroline nods, “Business was booming as usual. Oh Bo…can you do me favor?” “Sure Ma what is it?” “Could you go out back to the dock…I am expecting a shipment of fish…and your father isn’t around at the moment.” “Sure thing Ma.” I know that this is Caroline’s way of giving me a little time alone with Bo so I can talk to him. I can see her pull him to the side and whisper in his ear, right after they pull apart I see Bo coming toward me. “Hey sis…want to give me a hand with the fish?” I nod at him. I am glad for the opportunity to talk to him in private. As we walk out I nod at Caroline and mouth the words “Thank You”. She nods back at me and smiles. I wrap my arm around my brothers waist and head out to the docks.
I am sitting at the bar sipping a soda when Hope comes up and plops down on the stool beside me. “Hey Mar…feeling better?” “Yeah I am feeling a lot better thanks. I have just been stressed out…You know?” Hope nods her head at me. She knows all about my family as well. I guess it is hard to keep things secret in such a small town. That doesn’t matter though…Hope is my best friend…if I can’t confide in her, who can I confide in. Hope went behind the bar to get some drinks for a table but before she walks away I stop her, “Hey Hope…do you and Bo have any plans tonight?” “I have class tonight…but I’m not sure if Bo has anything planned.” As she gathers up her customers order I hear the bell on the front door ring. Hope looks up and a huge smile crosses her face, “Well speak of the devil.” I turned around and saw Bo approaching the bar with someone that I have only seen maybe once or twice. He is tall…about 6’2...with wavy black hair…a very sculpted body…and the bluest eyes I think I have ever seen! I am startled out of my daydream by Bo’s voice, “Hey there fancy face…How is the worlds most perfect girlfriend.” I had to laugh at Bo and Hope…those two are so in love…it is almost nauseating at times. Then Bo looked at me with a goofy grin on his face, “Hey sis…how is the worlds best little sister?” I let out a small giggle, “You are such a dork Bo” Bo grabbed his chest in a weak attempt at humor, “Oh…a dagger straight to my heart!” That is my brother…always the joker…but he is also the nicest guy that you could ever want to meet. Sometimes I envy Hope…I hope that she realizes how good she has it…being loved by someone like Bo. I glance over and see Caroline come out of the kitchen and walk over and give Bo a hug. Bo kisses her on the cheek, “Hey Ma…how was business today?” Caroline nods, “Business was booming as usual. Oh Bo…can you do me favor?” “Sure Ma what is it?” “Could you go out back to the dock…I am expecting a shipment of fish…and your father isn’t around at the moment.” “Sure thing Ma.” I know that this is Caroline’s way of giving me a little time alone with Bo so I can talk to him. I can see her pull him to the side and whisper in his ear, right after they pull apart I see Bo coming toward me. “Hey sis…want to give me a hand with the fish?” I nod at him. I am glad for the opportunity to talk to him in private. As we walk out I nod at Caroline and mouth the words “Thank You”. She nods back at me and smiles. I wrap my arm around my brothers waist and head out to the docks.
