CHAPTER 02
It has passed a month ever since Brock and Reba had been together for the last time. Even though Brock had promised her he wouldn't come home late at night, he broke it. Even though he had told her he would spend more time with her then with his buddies at the golf course, he didn't. Even though he had told his kids they'd go spend a weekend all of them together, they never went. And apart of all that, he kept on buying stuff he didn't need. Like the brand new stick he bought last week when she had given him a new one last Christmas. Or the video game she had told Jake she wouldn't buy. Or the new pair of shoes Cheyenne wanted so badly but she didn't give her. Or even the tickets to the concert Kyra desperate wanted to go 'cause she couldn't go with her. He was acting on his own. Giving things to kids when they both had agreed they wouldn't do it. But the thing that hurt her the most was that he wouldn't hold her at night, he wouldn't touch her and when he'd come home late at night, he wouldn't wake her up. If he thought it was all right, then he was totally wrong.
It was a Saturday night and Brock had just come home. And it had been late, the kitchen was already clean, the TV was off and the kids were already in bed. He locked the door behind him, turned the lights off and headed off to his own room. He expected to find his wife peacefully asleep, like usually. But not this time. She was lying in bed, waiting for him while reading a book.
Hey honey - he said after getting into the room and seeing his wife still awake
Hey… - she mumbled while putting her book down
Brock went over her side to give her a soft kiss on the lips, but she turned her face and he met her face instead. He couldn't blame her. Reba took the time to smell him. He smelled like cigarettes and alcohol.
Didn't you go golf? - asked Reba a little annoyed
I did - that was all Brock could you say
So, why do you smell like cigarettes and alcohol? - said Reba angry while getting up from the bed
We went to a bar after… - he said as he took one step back while seeing the anger in his wife's eyes. He was expecting it sooner or later.
Couldn't you just call? 'Hey, we're going out tonight. Don't worry'? The kids couldn't stop asking about you. I was dead worried, Brock! You said you'd be back right after the game was over. But you went out with your buddies instead? What about our kids? What about us?- said Reba raising her voice by each sentence - What about me, Brock? Don't you love me anymore? - asked Reba in a mix of pain, anger and sadness as a tear escaped from her eyes
Brock stood speechless looking directly into her eyes. They weren't shinning like they use to do. They weren't bright. The only spark he could see was from the tears that were escaping. The pain and the anger in her eyes were killing him inside. And her last question was echoing in his mind. Did he still love her?
Brock! - Reba screamed getting desperate by his loss of words
I do… - his voice was barely a whisper but she could hear it perfectly.
So, why aren't you at home anymore? Why? Why don't you touch me? Why don't you hold me ? Why, Brock? Why? - screamed Reba close to breakdown.
Please don't scream… - Brock tried to calm her down
Don't come to me with 'I can deal with a hysterical woman! - responded Reba
… you might wake the kids … - he said in a low tone
Reba looked at him knowing his was right. Having a fight in the middle of the night was bad enough. She didn't need the kids to hear it.
You're right… - Reba admitted
I don't know, Reba. I don't know… - he said referring to her preview question
You don't know? - she was angrier than before
I don't know… - he said lowering his head - I don't know why I'm doing this things I'm doing. I don't know why I don't do what I said I would. I don't know why I said 'yes' when we had agreed in saying 'no'… I don't know… I really don't … - he said while walking impatient around the room - I wish I knew… I just need some time to clarify things out… some room to breathe… - he said it with tears on his eyes
So, go! Go get your time to clear things out! Go get some room to breathe! Go! But don't expect me with open arms! You need to make your mind. And we need to talk. So, don't expect that you just go and I'll be here waiting for your return like nothing had happened! - Reba said looking him in the eye full of determination
And on that same night Brock packed his things and left his home, their home. Why he was acting this way? He didn't know. Why was he being so selfish? He didn't know. Why was he hurting the best thing that has ever happened in life? He didn't know either. The only thing he knew was that he didn't want to lose her.
Reba sited at the bend of her window looking to the street watching him leaving. She looked away when she noticed Brock looking up to her before getting into a cab. She took a deep breath before heading to her bed. He had left not that long ago but she was already begging for his embrace and his touch. She searched for his pillow and smelled it like it was the last thing he had left behind. She closed her eyes and as the tears fell down on her face she fell asleep.