Why Can't I Be Happy?
Chapter 3
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As Reba drove home she couldn't help sporting a smile on her face. She truly had a great time with Brad on their date. It felt good to have someone other than family to vent to about the chaos that conflicted her life. Brad was very attentive and hung on her every word. She could tell that he sincerely listened to her when she talked. Brock never did that. I mean at the beginning of their relationship he did, but when they got married his attention slowly focused on something else. The only time he really paid attention to her was when they had sex.
When she arrived home, Reba noticed Van's car in the driveway. A huge weight was lifted off of her when she realized they were home. She walked into the house quietly. The lights were off so that meant everyone was probably asleep or not too far behind. Reba ever so quietly walked to her room and shut the door. As she laid in bed all she could think of was Brad. He was so nice and comfortable to be around. Because of who he was and the life he lived, Reba thought he would be kind of stuck-up and snooty. But she was proven wrong. There was something about Brad that attracted Reba to him. She couldn't put her finger on it, but would be happy trying to figure out what it was that made him stand out from all the guys she had ever been with. She peacefully fell asleep with the image of his face in her head.
On the other side of town, Brad was lying on his bed thinking about the intriguing red-headed woman. He was amazed at how comfortable he felt talking and being around her. Not to mention her beauty. Of course he dated beautiful woman all the time, but that was just it. Reba wasn't just beautiful, she was smart. She could hold a conversation, a conversation that didn't revolve around the petty things. It revolved around the love for her "crazy" family, her willingness to survive through the hard times, and her patience with the world. Brad looked at the phone that sat on the nightstand next to his bed. He contemplated calling her but thought maybe it was too soon and he'd seem too desperate.
"I could call her now. I mean she probably wouldn't mind. But what if she's asleep and I wake her?" he thought to himself aloud. His dog, Sam, just looked at him as if he wanted to say "GO TO SLEEP." Brad finally decided that he would give her a call tomorrow.
The birds chirped as the morning sun arose outside Reba's window. She felt so refreshed and rejuvenated. She started to wonder when he would call. She anticipated hearing his voice and talking to him endlessly about everything. Reba was downstairs making breakfast when her family made their way to the kitchen.
"Hey Mrs. H, long time no see." Van said due to the fact that the last time he saw his mother-in-law, was yesterday morning before she left for work.
"Yeah mom, where have you been? I feel like I haven't seen you in years." Cheyenne said as she waited for a reply.
"Sorry guys but I had a date and…" she was quickly cut off after Van and Cheyenne heard the word date.
"Date…You had a date and didn't tell us?"
"Well by the time I got home yall were gone and when I came home you were all sleeping." she said trying to look innocent.
"Yeah Yeah. Let's get to the good stuff. What's your boyfriend's name?"
"For your information he is not my boyfriend. He's just a nice guy who I hung out with. Oh and his name is Brad."
"Brad…listen Mrs. H, the only guys with the name Brad are gay guys." Van said trying to make himself seem smart on the issue. Reba just looked at him and rolled her eyes.
"He's not gay Van. We met on my lunch break and he asked me out. So he couldn't possibly be gay."
"Yeah Van." Cheyenne hit his arm as she agreed with Reba.
"So mom are you going to see him again?"
"Well the date went really well and I gave him my phone number. I hope we see each other again." Cheyenne could see the gleam in Reba's eyes. Just as they were finishing their breakfast, the phone rung.
"Hello" Van said.
"Hi, is Reba home?"
"Yes may I ask who's calling?"
"Brad MacIntosh"
"Oh okay. Hold just a second."
"Mrs. H your sugar daddy is on the phone!" Van said rather loudly. Reba ran to grab the phone out of Van's hands. She could've beat him down but she didn't want Brad to know that side of her. She snatched the phone from Van. She was extremely embarrassed and a little nervous. She wondered what Brad would think of her now.
"Um hi Brad I'm sorry about that. My son in law forgot to take his meds today." she said rather loudly for Van to hear. Brad just laughed. Now he was starting to hear the chaos that Reba had described.
"Oh it's fine, I've been called much worse." Reba laughed. She was now able to put herself back at ease. Just like they expected the phone conversation went smoothly. It was kind of funny because they could make a conversation out of anything. Right when Reba was on the phone, Brock and Barbra Jean walked in. Reba was so consumed with Brad that she hadn't noticed them.
"So Cheyenne, who is your mom talking to?" Brock asked curiously.
"Her boyfriend Brad." Cheyenne said rather proudly. Brock's eyes lit up as well as Barbra Jean's.
"Oh my lord, Reba has a man and didn't tell her best friend." Barbra Jean pouted. Brock on the other hand stood still for a while. He was in total disbelief.
"What do you mean boyfriend?"
"Well mom won't admit it but she had a date with this guy named Brad and apparently they had a great time. When we were talking about it with her all she could do was smile. I think she really likes him." Brock's body filled with rage and jealousy. Van noticed his sudden change in attitude.
"Mr. H, are you okay?"
"Uh yeah I'm fine. I think I'll go into the kitchen and get some water." He really wanted to hear what Reba was talking about to this guy. Reba's back was towards the door so she didn't see him come in. From what he heard it sound like she was having a pretty good talk with Brad. This made him even more jealous but he tried not to let his presence be known. The conversation was coming to an end.
"Well thanks for calling and I'll see you Saturday at eight." She gave Brad her address and then the phone conversation ended. She had a huge grin on her face until she turned around and noticed Brock standing behind her. He had startled her.
"Oh my God Brock you scared the heck out of me." she said while proceeding to the refrigerator to get a bottle of water. Reba noticed the serious look in his face, but played it off as if she hadn't noticed.
"So who was that?"
"Brad."
"I don't think you should be giving him your home address. I mean he could be a killer for all you know." Reba just laughed and scoffed at his comment.
"Oh please Brock, if he were a killer I'd be dead by now."
"So how was your date?" Reba could hear the jealousy in his voice.
"Great. We had the best conversation. We talked about almost everything. I'm really looking forward to seeing him again Saturday night."
"What your going out with him again?"
"Yeah, if it's okay with you." Reba said sarcastically and left the kitchen. Leaving Brock alone with his thoughts. He knew he shouldn't be jealous but, after twenty years of marriage it was hard for him to imagine Reba with another man. To be quite honest, Brock loved the idea of Reba being alone. In his mind, Reba being alone was a sign that she wasn't over him. He loved the thought of her still being in love with him, even though he was the one that left. He could only hope that Brad would turn out to be a scum bag and Reba would dump him, leaving her once again alone with no one.
But much to Brock's dismay, Reba was determined to move on with her life and find someone to loved and be loved.