"Reba, you have got it all wrong." Brock pleaded, walking into the bedroom.
Reba starred off into the distance, arms wrapped tightly around her sleeping daughters. Silent tears trailed down her face.
"Reba. Come on. Just let me explain." Brock gently said, sitting on the edge of their bed.
Reba looked up at him and he felt his heart nearly break in two.
"Come on, honey." Brock coaxed, gesturing towards the bedroom door. After a moment of thought, Reba silently slid herself from her daughters and led the way down the stairs.
"Look" Brock stated, sighing. "I know what this looks like."
"Looks like?!?" Reba hissed, through her teeth. Once they were far enough away from their sleeping children. "You're cheating on me!" she raised her voice a bit.
"Reba. No." He sat on the sofa and bowed his head.
"Then what is it Brock?! Because to me, it sure looks like you've been out running around on me." She yelled.
Brock shook his head. "No." Reba's eyes grew bigger, she was in even more disbelief. She couldn't understand why Brock couldn't at least own up to being unfaithful to her. Wasn't she worthy of the truth?
"Look, it's BJ."
Reba spun around on her heels, anger filling her veins.
"I knew it!" She spat, pointing at him.
"No, look. Remember whenever I had that conference meeting at Stub's after work a month or so ago?
Reba raised her eyebrow for him to continue.
"Well, while we were all there, Barbara Jean noticed her thong was in her pant leg. It must've gotten tangled up in the dryer when she was doing her laundry. Anyways, she asked me if I would hold onto them in my coat pocket until after dinner.
"Doesn't Barbara Jean have a purse?!" Reba sneered, not believing a word he was saying. "Or here's an idea, her own pant pocket?!" Reba yelled.
"Look, I don't know. I'm just telling you what happened. Nothing more after that. I have had that jacket hanging in my office for weeks now. That's why you're just seeing it."He said, looking deeply into her yes.
"Don't give me that puppy dog face." She said, pulling her hands away when he tried to hold them.
He sighed and ran a hand over his unshaven face. "Look. I know I haven't been the best husband lately but I did not cheat on you, Reba." He said, sincerely. "I really, truly didn't." He added.
Reba bit her lip, a thousand thoughts running through her mind. Brock wasn't able to read her face and became more and more nervous about what was to come next.
"I want marriage counseling." She said, flatly.
Brock nodded vigorously. Knowing he was not in a good place with Reba after this one, he'd do anything for her to believe him. The last thing he wanted was to end their marriage and split their family. Reba looked at him puzzled. She thought he would for sure fight back about couple's therapy. "You're actually going to go?" She questioned, her face turning into a deep frown.
"Reba, I'll do anything." Brock replied, pulling himself up off the couch. He walked to the spot where Reba stood and took both her hands in his. Her hands were milky white. So soft, delicate, and riddled with tiny freckles. She looked down at their hands. "Reba I have to rehire Barbara Jean." Brock said, nervously twisting her wedding ring with his thumb.
"What!?" She asked appalled, pulling her hands away. "Are you insane?" She yelled, betrayal plastered all over her face.
"Reba-" Brock started. "She's going to take me to court for unfair dismissal lawsuit." He said shaky. "That's why I have been coming home late. I didn't want you to find out about this." He said nervously.
Reba's mouth fell open and her hand found it's way to her chest. "I can't believe this." She mustered out. "Why wouldn't you tell me!?" She questioned, panic stricken. "We could lose everything Brock!" She yelled, pacing around the floor.
"I know, Reba. That's why I didn't tell you. I didn't want you to worry about it on top of everything else."
"You can't keep things like this from me! I'm your wife!" She yelled. "I can't believe any of this." She cried. Her anger had passed and now she truly felt nervous. There was a very uneasy feeling in her stomach and a heaviness to her chest. Brock walked to her and gently pulled her into his chest as she sobbed. "I'll take care of it, honey." He said into her hair. "I promise." He whispered as tears filled his eyes.