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Realizing that they were hugging in the middle of his kitchen and that Barbara Jean could walk in at any minute, she released him from the hug, putting her arms down at her side as he did the same.
"You need to talk to her Brock. No matter what happens, she is owed the truth from you. We may not get along all the time, but she deserves that much." Reba said, sighing as she glanced over his shoulder at the staircase as if Barbara Jean would magically appear.
Knowing she was right, Brock took a step back, putting some space between them. Glancing at him she smiles and walks past him towards the door to leave. "Reba…" Hearing his voice, she turned towards him, away from the now-opened door. "Thanks." He said, with a small smile on his face as he watched her smile back at him and then walk out the door.
After entering her house, Reba walked to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine. She then proceeded to go upstairs to her bedroom to reflect on everything that was said earlier.
On her loneliest nights, she would think back on how everything came to be. Wondering if there was something she could have done differently to prevent everything that happened. It killed her having them over all the time, having to play the nice person. Watching the only man she ever loved, day in and day out, with his new wife, his new family.
They were so happy. Three gorgeous kids, a beautiful house, he had his prospering dental office. The wildfires. Anytime they so much as touched hands, he set her body ablaze with this sensation that only he could give her.
Sure there were some arguments, but what family doesn't argue at some point. Over twenty years together. How did it go so wrong?
Brock came home one day and just wasn't happy. He needed more. He didn't feel needed. They had fought more than usual. They fought about everything. She was frustrated and sick of him going golfing or working overtime at the office when he should have been home. The wildfires dulled, to a mere flicker of once was.
He used to come home during lunch just to check in and have more time with us. Then, he started working through lunch. There would have "emergencies" over the weekend. He would come home later and later; Then one day he stopped coming home.
She still remembers the day she found out about him and Barbara Jean. It was the same day they found out they were going to be grandparents. Something they should have rejoiced in together.
It was also the day she found out he was going to have another kid, but not with her.
She couldn't believe Brock would go and break their vows like that. They were sacred to her.
She found out in front of their kids, along with their court-appointed therapist. A stranger. Stranger. Like who Barbara Jean practically was. Just the quirky, perky woman she hired to help her husband while she took care of their kids.
It was all a huge surprise to both her and the rest of their family. Even though Brock and her divorced, their family still managed to maintain their closeness.
Hearing his admission earlier was a shock to her. He said he should have been honest when they tried to save their marriage in therapy. Remembering all the times she sat there in that room, just her and the therapist. Brock either not showing up or joking around and avoiding the issues, attempting to pretend things were fine when they weren't.
She wishes he was honest and took it more seriously like he seems to now. Maybe it would have saved their marriage. But then again, maybe in some sick, twisted way they needed to go through this to appreciate what they had.
There's still a chance that nothing would happen, something she needed to keep reminding herself. That Brock would talk to Barbara Jean and everything would be fine with them.
No matter what, she knew her kids needed to be okay either way. They were her priority and always will be.
She never got over him, no matter how hard she tried. She would put on a fake smile and pretend she was happy for him. Show the kids how she moved on and how she wanted the best for their father and his new family. Sure, she would never wish them bad, but she couldn't tell anyone that she was still in love with Brock. Despite everything, no matter how hard she tried, it was just impossible to get over him.
There's a part of her that thinks it would be better off if Brock stays with Barbara Jean. However there's another part of her that hopes to be with him again.
This is why she is leaving it to Brock. If he truly wants to be with her, he will do what needs to be done. If he's meant to be with Barbara Jean, then so be it. She can't risk getting her heart broken again. She's not sure she would survive this time.