Quietus

Chapter 3

The first person to approach me is none other than Kristen, someone whose presence is not welcome at the moment in the mansion. I really don't think anyone is happy she is back in Salem because quite frankly my sister is even more of a town pariah than I am and that is saying a lot.

The DiMera's beyond the younger generation of Johnny, Sydney and Theo are generally not the family you would want to invite over for Thanksgiving dinner or such since our family has captured the true essence of dysfunction. If you want to see the definition of a fucked up family you have to travel no farther than the monstrosity of the DiMera mansion.

In fact we might make another cool million or so if we held tours of this place although I am not sure Father would approve of anyone checking out the dungeon aka the holding cells or the laboratory in the below ground section of our family home. Add in those underground tunnels for good measure and it could almost be a theme park of the rich and demented.

I'm brought out of my sudden musings of increasing our ever growing fortune of ill gotten gains by Kristen who is taking me by the arm and trying to lead me right into the midst of these people. When I survey the room most of them have either wished me to be incarcerated for the rest of my natural days, dead or attempted to kill me somewhere along the way since I've made my debut in Salem.

To say I'm not the most beloved man is Salem is putting it mildly, but all that doesn't matter because my wife and my children love me and that is all that I need to be happy. Whilst happiness has for the most part been the most elusive thing for me to ever achieve in my life I feel like I've finally grasped the brass ring and I'm holding onto it as tightly as I can.

"EeeJ, come on, quit dragging your feet," Kristen gently prods me to the center of the room while I can feel all eyes on me. I'm usually pretty astute, but I'm still at a loss as to why the conglomeration of people are gathered here.

It's so quiet in the room unlike how it was before I opened the door and asked what was going on. It's like playing I spy and with almost all of the Brady clan present it is quite unnerving to say the least.

Roman, Marlena, Caroline, Eric, Brady, Will, Sonny, Hope along with others like Lucas, Nicole, Daniel and even Rafe Hernandez.

I'm seriously starting to wonder if I've took a hit of acid or some other kind of hallucinogenic drug.

"Kristen, what is going on and why are all of these people here in our home?"

Before Kristen can even begin to give me an explanation, Marlena comes up to me all the while giving Kristen a stare that if looks could kill, my sister would have dropped to the floor within seconds. Samantha's mother and my sister have a mutual hatred for one another so with a frown on her face Kristen lets go of my arm and takes a step back away from me.

"We wanted to talk to you EJ," Marlena spoke with a gentle tone in her voice while she escorted me over to one of the many couches that are in the room and motioned for me to sit down and when I do, she takes a seat right down beside me.

"About what?" I ask feeling more confused than ever, since Marlena is hardly ever nice to me, most times she is so full of disdain for me that it is difficult for her to even speak civilly to me, much less be kind and show any modicum of concern for me.

"I know yesterday was especially difficult for you, well for all of us really in one way or another," Marlena made a gesture around the room with a sweeping motion of her hand. "I realize why it would affect you more so than others, but you have to be strong for your children. They need you."

I would never let my children down; I have fought for my rights to be with them, for them to always know first and foremost no matter what is happening in our lives that I love them unconditionally.

The look of utter confusion must be apparent on my face, but before Marlena can say another word, Roman steps up and gets on the other side of me.

This is weird sitting between the two of them; especially since I'm sure they are not here to give me an award for being the best son in law.

"Roman, what is going on? You, Marlena all the others being here is rather out of the ordinary." I state matter of fact because this isn't normal.

"Son, I miss her too," Roman says with tears in his eyes.

What is happening? First off Roman Brady would never refer to me as son unless it was accompanied by of a bitch following the use of son and secondly why would he be on the verge of tears? He has never shown me any compassion, much less understanding. The man pretty much hates me and has always been trying to find a way to put me in jail or keep them there right off the bat.

"Who do you miss?" I ask as a feeling of dread starts to assail me.

Then the last person I ever expected to see again comes forward and kneels down in front of me, her eyes full of love and concern for me. One of the few people I know that has ever truly loved me despite all my shortcomings in this life.

Alexander takes both of my hands in hers and quietly speaks the name I know she doesn't mean to say to me. "Samantha."

I shake my head in denial because no way is my deceased sister here talking to me she and just said the name of my wife, the woman I would do anything for, I would give my life for Samantha without a second of hesitation on my part. I love Samantha with all my heart and soul. Alexandra can't mean my Samantha is gone.

"EJ, they all miss Samantha," her eyes are also full of unshed tears although I don't know if she is about to cry for me or all the others surrounding us.

I remove my hands from my sister's and arise from the couch, staring at everyone like they've lost their mind. Samantha is not gone, she isn't.

I have to get out of here before I tell them they don't know what they are talking about and they can all to go to hell, well all of them besides Alexander because I'm pretty sure she got a spot in heaven somewhere.

"I'm out of here," is all I say before taking my leave of their unwanted and unsolicited company.

I rush out of the room with a speed that even astounds me, but I'm not staying in that room for another damn second.

Samantha is alive and well, I know it. I would feel it if she were gone, we are a part of each other. We live in each other's hearts.

I'm going to go find my wife right now; nothing is going to stop me from finding her.

Nothing.