Why Can I Be Happy?

Chapter 10

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Silently, Barbra Jean stared at her husband. She replayed the moment when he confessed his love for Reba over and over again. Before Brock closed the door and turned around, Barbra Jean left the house. She got into her car and drove away. After about fifteen minutes of driving, Barbra Jean pulled into a deserted, empty parking lot. For about an hour she cried her eyes out. Her mind stayed on Reba and Brock. For weeks Barbra Jean wondered what was wrong with her husband, and now she knew Reba was the reason for his change in behavior.

Barbra Jean's tears of sadness turned into tears of madness. As the minutes rolled by she became increasingly angry. But her anger was stirred towards the wrong person; Reba. Barbra Jean was mad at Reba because in the back of her mind she always had a sneaking suspicion about whether or not Brock still loved Reba. But what she failed to realize was that Reba had no interest or love towards Brock. Barbra Jean didn't know what to do. She couldn't handle Brock leaving her. She wasn't as strong as Reba had been. But she was going to try and do everything in her power to keep her marriage going, no matter what it took.

Kyra helped her mother unload all the things in her car. Once all her belongings were in her old room, Reba took the opportunity to talk with her daughter.

"Honey are you feeling better?"

"Yeah a little bit. I'm just happy to be out of there and back here where it's safe."

"Well honey I know you might not want to hear this but eventually your going to have to face your dad. He was pretty surprised when he found out that you wanted to move out."

"Did you tell him what I told you?"

"No, that's not my responsibility. You don't have to rush into anything but it's only fair that you let both Barbra Jean and him know how you feel." Kyra nodded to her mother in agreement.

"I know you might want to get your room together so I'll leave you alone. If you want to talk some more just holler and I'll drop whatever I'm doing and come to you." Reba had just opened the bedroom door to leave when Kyra spoke softly.

"I love you mom."

"I love you too sweetheart." Reba slowly shut the door behind her.

Since Van, Cheyenne, Jake, and Elizabeth were out with the dog and Kyra was busy fixing up her room, Reba had a pretty relaxing day. She made herself comfortable in her bed while she read a book. Reba had gone through a few chapters before her cell phone rang. When she picked it up and noticed the familiar voice, a huge smile was painted across her face.

"Hey Gorgeous. What are you up to?"

"Nothing much. Just reading a book and thinking about you. What are you doing calling me so early, don't you have meetings?"

"Surprisingly there was a sudden change in plans. Right now I'm just wondering the streets of New York City."

"It must be a lot to see there.""Yeah there is. But it's only fun when someone else is here to sight see with you."

"I can only imagine. I'd be lying if I'd said I'm not bored. I've become accustomed to being around you." Brad laughed slightly to himself. Reba was just about to ask him what was so funny when the doorbell rang.

"Brad hold on one second someone's at the door." Still carrying the cell phone in her hand, Reba made her way downstairs to the door. When she opened it her mouth dropped in surprise.

"Surprise." the person on the other side of the door said as he smiled sweetly at her. Reba leaped into his arms, holding and kissing his lips.

"Brad what are you doing here, I thought you were still in New York." Reba looked at him surprised. Brad couldn't help smiling at her curiosity.

"Well after we said I love you to each other I decided that it would be impossible for me to stay away from you. So I canceled all meetings and hopped onto the first flight to Houston."

"You did that just for me?"

"Reba there are more than a million things I would do for you." Reba smiled and hugged him tightly some more. She wanted to make sure she wasn't dreaming. They both made their way to the couch. They held onto each other.

"So did you miss me?" Bar asked.

"Like crazy. I thought I could handle it. But after you told me you loved me, I knew I had to see you."

"I felt the same way. But Reba I do want to know something, did you tell me you love me only because you felt obligated to because I said it? Or do you sincerely love me?"

"Of course I love you. I would never toss that word around carelessly. To be quite honest I wasn't sure if you actually loved me." Reba said while looking at the floor.

"Why weren't you sure?" Reba was hesitant at first to answer him because she didn't know how he'd take her response.

"Brad I'm insecure when it comes to love. After what happened with my divorce I wasn't sure if I could trust someone who told me they loved me. I mean Brock loved me too but he still ran into the arms of another woman. I guess I'm just scared of getting my heart broken again. I don't know if I could handle it." Reba slowly looked away from Brad because she was a little embarrassed. Brad gently lifted her chin so she was looking at him again.

"Reba, what your ex-husband did to you was stupid and awful, but don't make me or any other man pay for the mistakes that Brock made. I whole-heartedly love you and if I have to spend the rest of my life trying to prove that to you, then so be it. All I ask is that you set aside your anger with your ex and give me a chance to prove to you that not all men are dogs. But the only way we can move forward as a couple is if you trust me. So I ask you here and now Reba, will you please learn to trust me?" Reba didn't know what to say. The thought of trusting someone else scared her to tears. The risk of being hurt was too great. But when she looked into Brad's eyes, she saw nothing but the truth.

"Yes Brad, I will learn to trust you." Reba said softly.

"And will you trust in my love for you?"

"Yes."

"Good, because without trust we have nothing." Brad caressed her tear stained cheek. Another tear had begun to fall when Brad leaned in and kissed it away. He slowly made his way to her lips. The kiss started innocently and sweetly but soon turned into passionate and lustful. Brad slowly broke the kiss. Reba gave him a sweet smile. As they stared into each other's eyes, Brock and Barbra Jean walked in. Brock stopped dead in his tracks when he realized that Brad and Reba had probably finished kissing before they walked in. He bawled up his fist to help keep in his frustration and anger.

Reba was shocked to see both of them walking into her house, especially after what happened with Brock earlier. She and Brad got off the couch and stood, looking suspiciously at the couple.

"Reba we didn't mean to intrude but we're here to talk with Kyra." Reba became worried. She knew that Kyra wasn't ready to face her father and BJ. She didn't want to but she allowed Brock to talk with her.

"She's upstairs in her room." Barbra Jean remained silent. She didn't even get herself all excited when she noticed Brad was there. Reba noticed her vow of silence and decided to speak up.

"Hey Barbra Jean how are you?"

"Fine."

"You want to take a seat?"

"Um no that's okay. As a matter of fact I think I should go wait in the car. Nice seeing you again Brad." Reba knew something had to be wrong. Barbra Jean had never acted that emotionless before. Brad noticed her demeanor was a little off too.

"Is there something going on with her?" Brad asked

"I don't know. I've never seen her act that way before." Reba said confusedly.

"Well Reba I must get to my office downtown to let them know I'm back and to reschedule my meetings. I'll call you tonight."

"What about Sam?"

"I'll come by and pick him up tomorrow." Reba walked him to his car. They kissed each other goodbye and went about their way.

Reba had just made it into the house when she noticed Brock standing at the banister.

"Reba, before I leave there's something I need to tell you." She listened to what he had to say.

"I don't know how to say this but, I'm still in love with you."