It wasn't like anything had changed, she still was the same person she ever was, just with a little more of a story, a little more of a nightmare, a little bit of reality. She had a inner strength that not a single soul could match, not a single person could compare to. She lived peacefully, quietly and constantly, her music and family as comfort. But in her mind, something was missing, something that could make her heart whole...something real. For the first time she was determined to fill that gap, and leave the worries of those around her behind, if only for a little while.
Reba walked out of her cortege, the summer wind slapping at her face, and the faint coo of the birds ringing in her ears. Morning seemed to be her favorite time, a time when she could sit on her sun porch, and write...but today, it was different. Her mind seemed to be racing.
She had moved away from Houston..back to her home town, and away from her God forsaken ex-husband and his mistress. She hated being around them, knowing everything that happened between them, everything she couldn't stop. She felt horrible for taking the kids away from their father, but she just could not longer stand the sight of him or...her. She would, however not stop her children from seeing their father, it wasn't their fault he was a dumb ignorant man.
As she sat waiting for Brock to come pick the kids up, she sipped her tea and sat silently thinking. He was taking them for the summer, back to Houston. She would miss them dearly, and couldn't begin to imagine what the summer cottage would be like without the bickering, or fights and tantalizing mockery between Kyra and Jake. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, knowing well that the summer would not spare her. She'd work as hard as ever, and hopefully find someone to take part in the sit com she was preparing to air. Just then Brock's van pulled up her drive, and she heard the murmur of the radio under Barbra Jean's voice, singing I will survive...and she hoped her children would.
"Hi ya Reba!" Barbra Jean stepped out of the van, then Brock shut off the ignition and stepped out. "Hello Barbra Jean..." Reba looked at Brock with a warning glance that he couldn't quite meet. Brock stepped onto the porch, then took a look over Reba's shoulder trying to see into the house, "uhm, Reba where's'-" Brock stopped as Jake came barreling out after him. "Daddyyy!!" Jake clung to his father, with not intentions of letting go just as Kyra stepped out of the door and glanced at Barbra Jean, who was waving frantically. Kyra looked to her mother.
"I have to ride back...all the way back with scatter brain?" Kyra pointed a thumb at BJ, then sighed. Reba smiled inwardly, happy to know that her children hadn't taken any likin' to their new step mother.
"Well kids, whatta ta say? Shall we hit the road?" Brock picked up Jake and set him on top of his shoulders, then looked at Kyra, "well hunny you ready to hit the road?" Kyra looked at her mother then back at BJ who seemed pre occupied trying to catch something, "it's not the road I'll be hitting dad-" she kept a eye on BJ, "it'll be fruit-for-brains over there", she pointed at Bj, then looked at her mom.
"I'll miss ya you know?" Reba pulled Kyra into her chest, as Kyra tried to speak Reba hugged harder, once she let go, Kyra stepped back as if another hug meant her life. "I'll miss you too mom," Kyra picked up her bags then kissed her mom good-bye and waved once she was seated in the van.
"Well Reba, whatta gonna do with yourself all summer long without the imps keeping ya goin?" Reba kept an eye on Kyra and blew her a kiss, then said as if to no one in particular, "oh, I'll manage", she looked up at Jake, "you be good hunny...and listen to your daddy and-" she paused then swallowed her breath, "...and Barbra Jean." With that she gave Jake a hug and kiss, and before she knew it, they were headed down the drive.
She stood there a moment, then realized she was alone...she went inside and began to make some calls. She had a job to full fill and now that she had no children to worry about for a couple months, she could finally find the Tommy for her sit-com. She sat there then said aloud..."my sit-com" and with that she began her search.