Chapter Seven- The Funeral

"We are gathered here today, to honor the life of Mrs. Helen McKinney..."

Reba sat through the service in a daze. Her eyes scanned the room, eventually stopping on the beautiful white casket at the front of the church. Reba immediately looked away, not wanting to believe who was in it, or the reason why she was at the church.

Brock set his hand on Reba's knee and she placed her hand on top of his, squeezing harder when she felt she couldn't be strong anymore.

"Mrs. H?" Van asked, leaning forward to look around Kyra and Cheyenne.

Reba picked her head up to look at him, took the kleenex he was offering and realized that Kyra was crying to.

Reba's protectiveness took over and she took Kyra into her arms. She placed her hand on Cheyenne's back, oblivious to her own tears trying to cloud her vision.

"It's going to be okay." She whispered to her children, trying to believe deep down in her heart that it was true.

"...she will be dearly missed and will live on in the hearts of her loved one's forever."

After shaking the hands with friends and family that had gathered at the church, Reba got up and started to walk outside. Brock followed her. Reba stayed quiet until they reached the front steps outside the church.

"I can't do this, Brock. I'm not ready to say goodbye."

Brock pulled her into his arms as the pallbearers began carrying out the casket, followed by her kids and the guests. Brock kept a tight hold on Reba as she lost it, watching the men carry the casket and load it into the back of the limo.

"Ready?" He finally asked, after everyone had piled into their cars and lined up behind the limo to head to the cemetery.

Reba shook her head, but started walking toward the car anyway. Brock took Jake's hand and led the other kids to the car. Once inside, he fired up the engine and lined up behind the other cars.

"Now where are we going, Dad?" Jake asked.

"We have to go watch the men put the casket into the ground." Brock answered, looking over at Reba, who was staring out the window.

"Oh."

The rest of the ride to the cemetery was quiet. Everybody lost in their own thoughts and waiting for the long ride to be over.

"We're here." Brock informed, shutting off the engine and stepping out of the car. Reba slowly climbed out of the car, closed the door and leaned her back against the window frame. Cheyenne and Van held their hands out to her, and Reba reluctantly took them.

"I don't know if I can do this, guys."

Brock put his arm around her and smiled. "We'll get you through this."

(Later that night...)

"I am so glad to be home." Reba said as she plopped her bags down on the floor in front of the door. The rest of the family had vacated to their respective bedrooms, enjoying the chance to get a good night's rest. Brock came through the doorway carrying the rest of the kids' luggage.

"Thanks, Brock." Reba said, grabbing the bags from his arms. "For everything."

Brock squeezed her shoulder, said his goodbye, then left for home. Reba made her way over to the couch, sat down and slipped her shoes off. She grabbed the blanket that lay across the back of the couch and spread it out on top of her body. A few minutes later she was snoring deeply, so exhausted that she slept through the night.

"Come on kids. You'll be late for school!" Reba hollered upstairs the next morning.

Kyra and Jake came bounding down the stairs, grabbed their backpacks off the couch and headed out the door. Not long after that, Cheyenne and Van followed with Elizabeth.

"Mom, I'm going with Van to the airport to say goodbye, then I am going to class, so I'll need you to pick up Elizabeth again-Thanks!" Cheyenne kissed her mother on the cheek and rushed out the door.

Reba walked into the kitchen and poured herself some coffee. She then walked over to the table to sit down and eat her breakfast. She was enjoying a nice, quiet meal by herself, when her ex-husband and his new wife came barging through the door.

"Where is everyone? I was gonna take Jake and Kyra to school today." Brock questioned and grabbed a muffin from the table.

"They've already left." Reba answered and went back to reading the newspaper.

"Reba," Barbra Jean started. "I just want you to know that if you ever need someone to talk to. I'll be there."

Reba looked up at her to see if she was joking. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Let's go, Barbra Jean." Brock rushed her out the door.

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang. Reba got up from her seat to go answer the door with a sigh. When she swung open the door she was surprised to who she found standing there.

"Lori Ann!"

The two women exchanged hugs, then Reba invited her into the kitchen. They sat down and Reba offered Lori Ann a muffin. "I heard about your Mama, honey. I'm sorry."

Reba just nodded and set the plate of muffins down on the table.

"How are you doing? You okay?"

"I'm fine. The first night after she died was hard, and going through her stuff was a little painful, but I'm actually doing good."

"Well, you know I'm always here for you."

Reba smiled. "I'm glad you're back, Lori Ann. I was gonna have to talk to Barbra Jean."

Lori Ann shuddered at that thought. "So, what are your plans for today, hon?"

"Oh, not much. I have to go get Elizabeth later, but that's pretty much it."

Lori Ann got up from the table. "Ok, I'll be back later and we'll do something."

Reba nodded and walked Lori Ann to the door. "Give me about an hour. Maybe we'll go get a makeover or something." Lori Ann winked as she walked out the door.