Chapter Four- Brock Offers Comfort

"What about Meemaw?"

Reba took a deep breath. "She's very sick, Cheyenne. The doctors are afraid she's not going to live very much longer. I'll see if Jake can stay with your dad, so it'll just be you and Kyra with Elizabeth when I leave tomorrow."

"Mom, I want to go with you. I want Elizabeth to meet her great Grandma and you need someone there with you."

Reba protested at first but then realized she was gonna need someone to lean on when she arrived at the hospital. "Ok." She agreed, before making her way upstairs to bed. Cheyenne followed her upstairs and gave her mom a hug goodnight, then went to bed.

Reba didn't sleep much all night. She lay awake thinking about the past and the memories she shared along the way. Glancing over at the clock again for what seemed like the hundredth time that night, she realized it was finally time to get up and get her kids off to school.

Making her way downstairs, Reba heard the bustle from the kitchen. She smiled when she heard her precious granddaughter babbling as she played with her kitchen set.

"Morning, Mom." Cheyenne greeted her mother when she appeared in the kitchen doorway.

"Morning." Reba replied glumly and poured herself some coffee. She walked over to the kitchen table and sat down.

Just then Brock and Barbra Jean walked in. "Reba? Cheyenne said you wanted to talk to me?"

Reba got up from the table. "Yeah. Let's go in the livingroom. I don't want the kids to know yet."

Brock followed her into the living room where Reba sat down on the couch and patted the spot next to her. Brock noticed that she was close to tears and placed his hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong?"

Reba looked down at her hands, unsure of what to say or how to say it. Brock moved his hand to her back and began rubbing, trying to give her some sort of comfort.

"I need you to take Jake and Kyra for the weekend."

"Why?"

"I need to go back home and visit Mama. She's very sick and is not expected to make it much longer. She's slipping away, Brock and there's nothing I can do to help her..."

Brock's heart went out to Reba when he saw the tears sliding down her cheeks. He leaned in and gave her a hug.

"Listen, I'll go with you. We'll take the kids, I'm sure they'll want to see their 'Meemaw' one last time."

"Thanks, Brock." Reba replied, but there was still one thing on her mind.

"And no, Barbra Jean doesn't have to come."

Brock gave her one final hug, then got up to leave. "I'll go get everything settled at home with Barbra Jean and Henry and we'll leave when the kids get out of school."

Reba nodded and Brock left the room. Reba wiped her face, then stood up and walked back into the kitchen. "Ok kids, time to catch the bus, come on."

"Bye, Mom." Kyra and Jake both yelled on their way out the door.

"Bye. Have fun." Reba sighed and went upstairs to pack for the weekend.

"Bye, Mom. Elizabeth and I are leaving. Be back later!" Cheyenne called from downstairs.

"Bye Gamma." Elizabeth yelled. "I go to school!"

Reba smiled and came back downstairs. "Bye, sweetie." She said and kissed Elizabeth on the cheek.

"Mom, I called Van yesterday and let him know what was going on. He should be home later today."

"But what about the team?" Reba asked.

"He said he's coming home anyways. He wants to be there for support."

"Ok, you better get going. Bye Elizabeth, have fun at school!"

Elizabeth smiled and Cheyenne closed the door behind them. Reba went back into the kitchen to finish her coffee and clean the kitchen from breakfast. She was just finishing up the dishes when Barbra Jean walked in.

"Hey, Reba."

"Hey."

"Brock told me about your Mom and I'm so sorry. Do you need a hug?"

Reba backed away from Barbra Jean's protruding arms. "No thanks, Barbra Jean. I'm fine."

"Ok, I just came over here to see if you were okay."

"Thanks, Barbra Jean. I appreciate that, but if you don't mind, I just want to be alone right now." Reba said, opening the door and ushering her outside.

"I understand." Barbra Jean closed the door behind her. Reba went into the livingroom to fold some clothes and get her mind on something else. Pretty soon, Reba found herself sitting on the couch, drifting off to sleep.