Brock opened the letter and began reading.
Dear Brock,
You probably know by now that I am dead. Bummer right? I know I should have told you in person that I was dying but hurt me. You walked out on my me when I needed you most.Now don't be thinking any less of me because I'm being all sentimental and talking about my feelings. I wanted you to be my best man at my wedding. I wanted you to meet my kids. You have probably already met them.
Listen I don't know how long I've been gone but I need you to do something for me now. I need you to take care of Reba and my kids for me. Teach my girls they deserve the best in life. They should never have to settle for less then they can achieve. Help my son. Teach him everything I should have. Make sure he knows how to treat people right. Reba may seem strong but she is always going to need someone to protect her. Please show my wife that she is beautiful and that she can survive without me. You once told me you owed me a favor so this is it. Please do this for me. Thank you Brock.
Terry
Brock slowly closed the letter and let out a sigh. Reba looked up from her spot on the couch.
"So what did I say?" Reba asked. Brock was surprised.
"Terry didn't show you it?"
Reba shook her head. "Nope. He wrote it and sealed it before I could read it."
"Ah," Brock said in understanding as his mind began to wander.
"So what did it say?"
"Oh," Brock said coming out of his thoughts. "Terry wrote about how hurt he was when I left and how I owed him some favor." Brock didn't think he should tell her about having to watch over them now.
"That's it?"
"That's it." Brock let out a sigh. "I think I'll get going now."
"Joel can sleepover too if you would like," Reba offered.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah," Reba smiled.
Brock smiled back and laughed to himself. 'Her smile is so beautiful,' Brock thought. He walked to the stairs. "Joel, can you come here please?"
Joel came bouncing down the stairs. "I'm going to be heading home buddy. Would you like to stay here, play with Terry, and sleepover?"
Joel's smile quickly spread across his face and the small boy nodded his head. Brock smiled back.
"Ok I'll be back in the morning. Now you be good for Miss Reba. Hannah and Cara are going to be staying too so if you need anything you let them know and they will tell Miss Reba." Joel nodded his head, gave his dad a hug and ran back upstairs.
"Well I guess that settles everything then," Brock said after Joel left. "I'll come back around eleven tomorrow morning. Is that ok?"
"Yeah that's fine," Reba said walking Brock to the door. Brock smiled and waved goodbye as he left. Reba shut the door and went to check on the kids. The girls were busy telling stories and the boys were now playing one of Terry's new video games. Reba walked into his room to get a closer look.
"Terry isn't that game for ages ten and up?"
"Yeah."
"Terry Joel is only six."
"But he said he played this game before mom."
"Joel have you really played this game before?" Reba asked. She couldn't imagine Brock letting his six year old play such a voilent game. Joel simply nodded his head yes. Reba sighed. "Ok, a few more minutes guys then it's bed time."
"Ok mom," Terry said without ever breaking his eye contact from the game. A few hours all the kids were in bed and Reba locked was locking up the house when she heard a noise behind her. It was Joel.
"Oh Joel you scared me. Are you ok?"
"Yeah," Joel said and then his eyes grow huge.