A/N: This idea just came to me. On the Reba show they never combined Reba McEntire's singing career into the show because she said when it started that she didn't want it to be all about her singing; she wanted it to be a family show. (No, I'm not a creep; but I watch interviews and commentary) Anyhow; so this story will be about Reba's singing career and the show. Hope you enjoy. The first chapter may be kind of sad; I don't know; depends on your outlook on things.
It was a quiet day in the Hart house. Brock was sitting on the couch with Jake watching T.V. Jake kept looking around.
"Hey dad, can I have a soda?" Jake asked.
"Sure son. I don't see why not." Brock replied. Jake hopped up off the couch and headed towards the kitchen. Brock was still sitting on the couch when a commercial came on and it was Reba singing to promote her latest album. Jake ran in from the kitchen.
"Mom?" He asked looking at the front door happily. Brock looked at him and frowned.
"I'm sorry buddy. It was only a commercial." Brock stated. Jake looked at him and walked over with a soda can in his hand.
"When's she coming home?" Jake questioned. He sat down and Brock put his arm around Jake's shoulders.
"I wish I could tell you Jake. I'm not really sure. This tour will probably be just as long as the last one." Jake sighed. "I'm sure she'll come see you when she's in town." Brock stated. Jake scoffed.
"I doubt that. Last time I had to buy a backstage pass to see her. Those two minutes cost me almost fifty bucks. That's three months allowance!" Jake exclaimed and then sighed. "If mom wants to really see me, she'll come home. But I'm not sure I ever want to see her again." Jake rushed around the couch towards the stairs.
"Jake." Brock said. Jake almost ran into Cheyenne as she walked in the front door.
"What was that about?" Cheyenne asked looking at Brock.
"He's just upset about your mom Cheyenne. That's all." Brock replied. Cheyenne shrugged.
"I don't know what the big deal is for him. Mom has been touring my whole life. She got discovered in that bar you all used to work in. What's the big deal? At least we've got you daddy." Cheyenne stated. Brock looked at her.
"Oh alright, what do you want?" He asked. Cheyenne looked at him shocked.
"What? What do you mean what do I want?" Cheyenne questioned and Brock gave her a look.
"Do I look dumb to you Cheyenne? I know you want something. Now just fess up about it." Brock replied. Just then, the door opened and Reba walked in. She was wearing a big, floppy, black hat and big sunglasses (A/N: I know Reba McEntire doesn't wear stuff like this. I'm stereotyping; but leave it be. It has a purpose I promise!). Her manager was standing there next to her. Brock stood up and Cheyenne crossed her arms.
"Hello family." Reba walked over and kissed both of their cheeks. She took off the sunglasses and held them out by one arm. "What has been going on since I've been gone?" At first, neither Brock nor Cheyenne spoke. Finally, Cheyenne was the first to speak. She looked at Brock.
"I need to go upstairs dad. I will talk to you later." Cheyenne said and walked upstairs completely ignoring her mom. She got halfway up the stairs before Reba spoke to her.
"Cheyenne, aren't you even going to say hi to me?" Reba asked. Cheyenne glared at her.
"Why should I? Look at you; come flouncing into the house after eight months of being gone. You're a part-time parent and we all hate it!" Cheyenne exclaimed before rushing up the stairs. Reba looked at Brock with surprise.
"What's going on?" Reba asked.
"I'm afraid all three of the kids feel that way Reba. They feel like you would rather have your career than be their mother." Brock stated. Reba's jaw dropped.
"That's ridiculous!" Reba exclaimed. Brock crossed his arms and took a step back.
"Oh, is that right? This is why they haven't heard from you in almost nine months? Not a visit or phone call. Not even a letter?" Brock asked.
"I've been busy!" Reba exclaimed.
"Too busy for your own kids?" Brock questioned and then looked down at the ground. "Look Reba, the kids hold a lot of resentment against you; and seeing you today in that getup makes me want to quit defending you. They are coming up with some really good and defendable arguments. I'm not sure what to tell them anymore. How can I tell them you love them when you don't even have time for them?" Brock asked. Reba tossed her sunglasses onto the table next to her and her manager groaned loudly. She turned to face him. "I'm sorry. That won't happen again. I keep forgetting how expensive they were." Brock walked over to her and grabbed her by the shoulders.
"This is what I'm talking about! This is what THEY are talking about! You haven't been here in eight months and when you get here you would rather talk to your manager than me." Brock said. He turned around and started to walk away from her.
"What do you want me to say Brock? I'm sorry? Well I'm sorry for my music career. I'm sorry I put food on the table every week and send home a check to you guys!" She exclaimed. Brock whirled around.
"This isn't you Reba! When we worked for Terry you were so simple and honest. Even when you started singing this wasn't you. It wasn't until HE started as your manager that you acted like this." Brock exclaimed thrusting his finger out towards Reba's manager. Reba looked at him.
"What's wrong with Rob?" Reba questioned.
"EVERYTHING!" Brock hollered. "He's turned you into a person I don't know anymore. You spend all your time on the road and hardly any time with us anymore. Jake is feeling neglected and I don't know what to tell him." Brock sighed and looked at her. Even though he's a man's man, he still broke down. "I'm tired of being a single parent Reba. I can't take that look one more time when Jake hears your voice and realizes you aren't home. I love you, but I love him more." Reba looked into her husband's eyes.
"Brock, what I'm doing is for Jake, Cheyenne and Kyra." She looked down at her outfit. "Sure maybe this dress outfit is a little much, but Rob said I needed it to touch new audiences." Reba replied.
"What about the audience at home? I know this was your dream Reba; but I'm tired of seeing my wife on the big screen and never at home. I see you in all kinds of concert halls, but you are never here with us. I think Cheyenne said it best; you truly are becoming a part time parent because you are never here." Brock said and then he started to walk out of the room.
"Brock…" Reba said with tears in her eyes. When he ignored her, she turned and walked over to Rob. She threw her hands in the air. "What do I do?" Rob took her by the shoulders and looked into her eyes.
"We are going to finish the tour. It's only another nine weeks or so that we have to tour and then you can come home and work things out with your family. You have to be strong for your audience Reb. You can't act like this. Do you think that your fans want to see you cry?" He asked. She shook her head no as she wiped her eyes.
"You're right." Reba said. "I don't know what I'd do without when we're on the road." He smiled.
"I don't know. But I'm glad I can be here to help you. You are one of the best country singers out that Reba. Your name is a household name. People everywhere know who Reba is. Come on camper, let's keep going. Only a few more weeks." He said. Just then, Kyra walked down the stairs and walked right past Reba to sit on the couch.
"Kyra?" Reba asked. Kyra looked at her.
"Do I know you?" Kyra gave her a funny look and then it was as if she had been hit with a realization. "Oh yes, you're my absentee mother. It's nice to meet you; I'm Kyra." She said sarcastically.
"Kyra, that's not fair." Reba stated. Kyra turned off the TV and stood up. She looked at Reba.
"You know, you're right; it's not. But neither is what you are doing to us." Kyra walked into the kitchen without another word. Reba turned to look at Rob and he held his arm out. She walked over to him and he put his arm around her.
"It's going to be okay. We have to keep touring. Only a little more time and then you will be able to come home for three weeks before we start picking out new songs for your next album." He stated. Reba looked back at her empty living room before walking out the door with her manager.
She had been working in the music industry since 1982. She had been working for over twenty-five years. Was it really worth it for everything her family was going through? She was doing this FOR them… wasn't she?
To be continued….