Why Can't I Be Happy?
Chapter 6
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The sun had reached it's peak when Reba woke up. Still kind of groggy, Reba realized that she wasn't in the comfort of her bedroom. A little shocked and surprised, she slowly sat up and looked around. She was confused about where she was until she heard light snoring. She looked over and noticed Brad snuggly sleeping in the chair. Reba realized that she must've feel asleep watching movies last night. She removed the remaining half of the cover she slept under and then proceeded to get off the couch. As Reba got up, she felt something furry and warm underneath her feet. She was a little startled and looked down to see what it was. It was Sam sleeping just as peacefully as Brad. She realized that Sam was the one snoring. Reba couldn't help smiling.
Reba made her way towards Brad ever so gently. She sweetly kissed his forehead to wake him up. Brad slowly opened his eyes and smile sheepishly when he saw the red-headed beauty staring back at him.
"Good morning sleepy head." Reba said softly while smiling at him.
"Good morning. Did you sleep well on the couch last night, I tried hard not to wake you."
"I slept well thank-you. To tell you the truth I haven't slept that well even in my own bedroom. That blanket is very comfortable."
"It was my mother's, she made it before she died of breast cancer two years ago."
"Oh I'm sorry to hear that. Well since were both awake how about I cook us some breakfast."
"Reba that's okay. I don't want to put you through any trouble."
"It's no trouble at all. Besides I'm really hungry."
"Can I help?" he asked eagerly.
"Only if you can cook."
"Hey I can make a mean bowl of Fruit Loops in forty seconds." he said proudly. Reba laughed. Since Brad didn't have a lot of groceries in the house, together they made Fruit Loops, toast, and orange juice. Though Reba was used to a warm, home-cooked breakfast in the morning, she had to admit the food in front of her looked pretty tasty.
"Brad if you don't mind me asking, why don't you have much groceries in this big house?"
"Well I don't need much food when it's just Sam and me. Plus, I don't know how to cook." he smiled.
"Don't you ever get sick of eating out all the time? I mean wouldn't you like a home-cooked meal sometime?"
"Yeah I do. But unfortunately I don't have that luxury." Reba thought to herself for a moment. "Maybe I should invite him over for dinner" she thought to herself. They had been seeing each other a lot lately and Reba's family had all ready met him briefly for a moment anyway, so there was no harm.
"Brad I was wondering, would you like to come over to my house Friday night and have dinner with my family and I?
"Uh yes, of course I would. I'd love to see your family again, especially Van."
"Why's that?"
"He makes me laugh."
"Yeah well he makes all of us laugh. Sometimes when he's not even trying." They talked and laughed some more about Reba's family. Just as they finished up breakfast, Brad looked down at his watch and realized how late it was.
"Reba maybe I should get you home. Your family's probably worried sick about you." Surprisingly, Reba hadn't even thought about how she stayed over Brad's house all night.
"Oh I think your right. I can only imagine what they must be thinking right about now." Reba gathered her things and Brad drove her home.
"Reba I had a great time last night and I think Sam had a good time too." he said.
"I also had a great time. Give Sam a kiss for me and I'll see you Friday." Reba was just about to get out of the car when Brad gently tugged her arm back. Reba was a bit taken back. She just stared at him. Brad leaned closer towards her and sweetly kissed her lips. He looked deeply into her eyes before slowly letting her arm go. Reba's heart skipped a couple beats. She smiled softly to him and then slowly got out of the car.
Reba hoped that her family weren't downstairs waiting on her. She knew that they would only bug and question her about where she had been. She decided to sneak in through the kitchen. As she slowly entered, Kyra made her jump about twenty feet in the air.
"Hey mom, I'm glad you decided to come back home." Reba rolled her eyes at her sarcastic teen.
"Kyra I know this looks bad but I fell asleep on Brad's couch last night while we were watching movies. Before I realized what had happened, it was morning. Everything was strictly platonic." Reba said while trying to reassure Kyra of her explanation.
"You don't have to explain yourself mom, I know you wouldn't do anything stupid or crazy. But maybe it would be a good idea to tell the same story to dad and Barbra Jean. They're worried sick."
"What do you mean?" Reba asked pleasantly surprised.
"Well when it started getting late and you still hadn't made it home, dad and BJ were really freaking out. Van, Cheyenne and myself tried to convince them that you were okay. Barbra Jean of course assumed that you and Brad were, well you know and dad practically went berserk. It was kind of strange."
"Van and Cheyenne weren't worried?"
"At first they were, but they realized that you were in good hands and knew that you were more than likely safe and well." Reba was happy at how well her children reacted to her staying out all night. But she had to admit that she slightly worried about seeing Brock and Barbra Jean. She expected Barbra Jean to act crazy but to hear that Brock nearly lost his cool kind of scared her.
"Umm Kyra before you go, did your father mention anything to you about coming over today?"
"No. He left so abruptly last night that none of us had a chance to talk to him." Kyra left the kitchen. Reba started to wonder why Brock was acting so crazy lately. She was used to him being sort of jealous of her dates but this was different. It seemed like he was quick to lose his patience with Reba, he took the little zingers that she'd always said to him personally, and most of all he was just unpleasant. He wasn't this bad to be around when they were going through hard times during their marriage. Reba hoped that he wouldn't come over today, but her hopes were soon crushed.
Cheyenne and Van had already left and went on about their day before Reba even made it home. Jake had stayed the night over a friend's house. Reba was making her way towards the stairs when she saw the door swing open and slam shut. Reba quickly took a step back and realized who had just stormed into her house.
"How was your night?" Brock said in a very cold but loud tone. Reba was so taken back by Brock's behavior and appearance that she was at a lost for words.
"Reba I asked you a question."
"Brock don't come barging into my house like a mad man. What I do in my personal life is none of your business." Reba looked him straight in the eye.
"Like hell it isn't. My kids live here Reba and they don't need their mother out bar hopping all night."
"First of all I wasn't bar hopping, I was over Brad's house watching movies when I fell asleep on the couch. I didn't realize I stayed over until daylight."
"How hard would it have been for you to tell him to bring you home when you were tired?" Reba was really getting annoyed.
"Why the hell do you care? Our kids are old enough to take care of themselves. Van and Cheyenne were home and they took care of everything. You're the only one who has a problem with me being out."
"I only want to make sure that this Brad guy isn't trying to hurt you." Reba scoffed and shook her head at him.
"Brock you're the only one who has a problem with Brad. Everyone else thinks he's an awesome guy, including me. So I suggest you get over your jealousy and get a grip."
"Reba I'm not jealous of Brad. He's nothing compared to me."
"Oh yeah your right, Brad is nothing like you. For once in my life I've found someone who truly cares for me. He wants nothing more than to make me happy. He listens to me, he understands me, and he's happy with the things I can give him versus the things I can't. Brock I really think that I've found someone special, and I'll be damned if I let you ruin that." Reba looked at him with so much intensity. It was as if she could see right through him. Brock took a few steps back and examined Reba. He couldn't believe what she was saying.
"So what are you saying Reba, are you falling in love with this guy?" He asked while laughing. Reba just looked at him, her eyes beginning to water.
"Yes Brock, I am falling in love with Brad." Brock looked at her. His mouth slowly dropped. Reba didn't wait around for a response. She simply went up the stairs and went into her bedroom. Brock stood for a moment, not knowing if he heard Reba correctly. His worst fear had been realized. He was losing Reba and there was nothing he could do about that.
Reba sat on her bed and stared into space. She couldn't believe what she'd said. But it was the truth. She was truly falling in love with Brad. But this scared her, because she wasn't sure if Brad felt the same way. In some aspect she kind of felt like he loved her too, but she couldn't be too sure. The thought of being heart broken again scared her to death. After Brock had his affair, Reba wondered if she could ever love or trust another man again.
It had been four whole days since Reba admitted to Brock that she was in love with Brad. Brock didn't come over her house unless he was sure Reba wasn't home. He didn't even call. He had been tense and distant. Barbra Jean noticed his change in behavior but didn't question him. She tried hard to make him happy and to keep him from losing his patience with her. In the back of her mind she knew that Reba probably was the cause of Brock's change in attitude but she didn't want to argue and let the thought slip her mind. Brock couldn't believe that Reba was in love with another man. Never in a million years did he think that the woman he loved and had children with could love another man.
Reba had slowly gotten over her argument with Brock. To be quite honest she was happy that he hadn't come to her house or called. She hoped he'd gotten the hint that she was making an effort to move on with her life. But she couldn't worry about Brock too much because Brad was coming over for dinner on Friday.
Reba was in the living room reading a book when Cheyenne walked in.
"Hey mom what's going on?"
"Just reading a book. Make sure you dress properly tonight, Brad's coming over for dinner."
"Wow should be fun. Van's been asking me when Brad's coming back over. He likes asking him money questions." Cheyenne said while rolling her eyes.
Reba had prepared a really delicious meal. She made steak, mashed potatoes, corn, and dinner rolls. Reba really wanted Brad to have a good meal since he never really ate home cooking. Once she was finished, she anxiously anticipated his arrival. Reba wanted everything to go well.
"Mrs. H don't worry, we won't embarrass you."
"Promise?"
"Scouts honor." The doorbell rang. Reba looked over everything and then opened the door. There standing in the doorway was Brad holding a bouquet of long-stem roses. Reba smiled at the sight of his face.
"Hi, I hope your hungry."
"I most certainly am. I um bought you these roses."
"Thanks. Well come on in and relax. You've met my family."
"Yeah. Hi you guys."
Within five minutes, Brad fit in with the family well. Van, Jake, and Brad were all playing Jake's new Nintendo Wii. Cheyenne and Reba laughed at the sight of them playing the videogame. Reba loved how well he got along with her family.
"Mom you've been staring at Brad all night. Is there something going on?"
"I don't know. He's so amazing. I think he might be the one."
"Oh my God mom, are you in love?" Cheyenne looked at her mom so surprised.
"Yeah I think so." Cheyenne could have fallen out of her chair. The thought of her mom being in love after all these years after the divorce made her happy.
"Well have you told him?"
"No, definitely not. I don't want to say it unless he says it first."
"Why?"
"Because if I say it and he doesn't I'll feel stupid."
"Maybe he feels the same way. Look don't just blurt it out, but when you two have some alone time bring it up and see what he says. I mean it's better than not knowing." Reba knew her daughter made sense. She would much rather know exactly how he felt instead of trying to figure it out.
"Thanks for the advice. Hey why don't you go in there and tell them dinner is ready."
"No we have to wait, dad and Barbra Jean are coming over." Reba nearly dropped the pot of food.
"What?"
"Yeah I invited them earlier. They said they'd be here at about eight thirty." Reba just nodded her head. She didn't want to see Brock. But she didn't want to start a fuss over them coming over so she allowed it. Just as the table was set, Brock and Barbra Jean walked in. Reba could only hope that the dinner would go well, but little did she know things wouldn't go exactly as planned.