Why Can't I Be Happy?
Chapter 5
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Once Reba made her way into the house, she slowly leaned her body against the door. She looked to the ceiling and smiled. Brad was so wonderful she thought, not to mention the knee-weakening kiss he gave her. She got herself together and proceeded up the stairs. Before going into her room, she checked on all of the kids to make sure they were safe and sound asleep.
Brock was on his bed looking through a golf magazine when the light from Reba's bedroom caught his attention. Even though she was three houses down, from his and BJ's bedroom they had a clear view of Reba's room. He looked down at his watch, it was twelve thirty midnight. His mind instantly went to the fact that Reba had a date. He wanted to know exactly what happened to cause Reba to come home so late. She had dated before and never came home past midnight. Brock could feel his muscles tense but tried to shrug it off. He threw the magazine he was reading down onto the table beside his bed. He turned the lights out in his room and went to the window to spy on Reba.
"She seems happy about something." he thought aloud to himself. He didn't worry about Barbra Jean catching him because he'd sent her out for a pizza. When Reba began taking off her clothes to change into her pajamas, Brock knew he should have turned away, but his body wouldn't let him. He couldn't believe that she was still in great shape after all these years. Her milky white skin could make any man weak. He chuckled to himself when she put on her pajamas with horses on them. He thought it was cute how she still adored those precious animals. She always loved horses. She went to her bed and snuggled underneath the covers but, she didn't go to sleep. She just simply looked at the moon.
Brock eyed her suspiciously. He noticed that Reba had a certain look in her eyes, a look he'd never seen before. It's wasn't of sadness or misery, but of love and desire, with a mixture of confusion. This look hurt Brock. It was then that he realized that Reba could possibly be in love; with another man. He quickly shook off that scary thought and realized that maybe he should go downstairs and wait on his wife. When he arrived downstairs he sat on the couch and scoffed.
"Yeah right, like Reba could ever love another man."
As Reba stared at the moon, she fell into deep thoughts. Brad was such a good guy, but they had just met. Reba feared that maybe it was all an act. She was afraid that if she allowed herself to trust him, he would break her heart just like Brock had and she didn't think that she could handle going through something like that again. But on the other hand, Brad really made her feel good. He listened intensely to her and she could tell that all he wanted to do was make her happy. Reba was confused. The only man she had ever been with ran out on her. Brock had been her first real love. He was the only man that Reba made love too. After giving herself to Brock and marrying him, not to mention the kids, it was hard for her to think of even being with someone else like she had with him. But then again Brock moved on with his life and found his "true" love, so why couldn't she do the same? Reba decided then and there, that the only way for her to have true love and happiness would be for her to move on past Brock and give love another shot. It wouldn't be fair to make Brad pay for the mistakes of her ex-husband. Reba smiled when she thought about her date, and ever so peacefully she shut her eyes and allowed her dreams to take over.
The next morning Cheyenne was more than eager to find out how her mom's date went. As soon as Reba arrived in the kitchen, she was hounded.
"Alright mom spill it, how did it go?" Cheyenne asked, eagerly awaiting a response.
"Oh Cheyenne it was wonderful. He took me to Houston National Park. We ate by the water and walked along the beach. It was perfect." Reba said while imagining it.
"Aww mom that's so sweet. So did he kiss you?"
"Yeah he did." Reba smiled a sweet smile. Cheyenne could have leaped out her chair from all the information she was getting.
"Mom I am so happy for you, all of us are. He seems really nice and I can tell he makes you happy."
"He really does. I mean when we talk to each other, he listens to me. I can see the sincerity in his eyes when he responds to whatever I've said." Cheyenne started to tear up a little.
"Well I just hope that everything between you two goes great. You both deserve it."
Just as Reba sat down to eat her bagel, Barbra Jean burst through the door. She didn't waste anytime in asking Reba about her date. Brock reluctantly followed behind her.
"Oh my gosh Reba tell me everything." She said as she plopped down beside her.
"Barbra Jean there's nothing really to tell. I had a great time with Brad and that's that."
"Reba please tell me. I'm your best friend. Plus I'm going to bug you until you spill the beans." Reba knew she wasn't lying and decided to save herself a lot of stress by giving Barbra Jean vague details about the date.
"Well he took me to Houston National Park. He prepared a candlelight dinner on the sand and afterwards we walked along the beach."
"Did you kiss?"
"That's none of your business."
"Oh Reba you might as well tell me. If not, Cheyenne or Van is going to eventually." Reba knew she was right. Van, Cheyenne, and Barbra Jean couldn't keep a secret to save their lives.
"Alright Barbra Jean yes we kissed." Just as Barbra Jean jumped for joy, they were both startled when they heard the sound of glass breaking.
"I'm sorry guys I was being clumsy and dropped my coffee mug." Brock said. Actually when he heard Reba admit she kissed Brad, it sent him through the roof. He tried so hard to hold in his anger that he subconsciously dropped the cup. Reba eyed him suspiciously.
"It's okay Brock, I'll clean it up." she said rather worried.
"No Reba it's fine. I made the mess so I'll clean it." Reba heard a bit of frustration in his voice and decided she would avoid an argument, so she let him clean up the broken glass. Barbra Jean yanked Reba's arm and dragged her into the living room so she could get more details on Brad. After about forty-five minutes, Barbra Jean had finally left Reba's house to run some errands she had for the day. Brock stayed at Reba's after BJ left. Reba hoped that Brock would leave too.
Reba was preparing to wash dishes when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey Reba this is Brad. How are you?"
"Still recuperating from our date." Brock was in the kitchen and knew exactly who she was talking too.
"Well Reba I'm calling to see if you'd like to come over later on. Maybe we can watch some movies and eat pizza."
"Sure sounds like fun. Let's say seven o'clock?"
"That's fine. If it's alright with you, I can pick you up."
"Thanks. See you later. Bye."
"Bye." Reba smiled as she put the phone away.
"So your going out with your little boy toy again?" Brock asked slightly annoyed.
"As a matter of fact I am Brock. Is there a problem?"
"Don't you think you've been seeing too much of him lately?"
"We've only been on three dates, how can that be too much?"
"Look maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to stay home once in a while." he said raising his voice a little. Reba laughed and scoffed at his comment.
"No disrespect Brock, but I don't think your in a position to be giving me advice." she walked out the kitchen and proceeded to go to her bedroom. Brock followed.
"What the hell is that suppose to mean?"
"It means that instead of worrying about me and Brad, maybe you should try and fix your own strained marriage to Barbra Jean." Reba was becoming more and more aggravated by him.
"That's none of your damn business." he said while pointing a finger at her.
"And my relationship to Brad is none of yours." she glared at him and then made her way up the stairs, leaving Brock downstairs.
Later that evening Reba prepared herself for her night out with Brad. The kids were going to eat out tonight so she didn't have to worry about cooking. Brad came right on time. Reba was still slightly tense from the argument that she and Brock had earlier that day. Brad noticed she was a little quiet.
"Reba you okay?"
"Uh yeah I'm fine. I had a busy day and I'm still trying to relax." she gave him a reassuring smile. After about five minutes, they arrived in front of a beautiful home. There were tall trees that ran throughout the front yard. Though it was dark, Reba could tell that beautiful flowers were planted everywhere.
"Wow you live here?" she asked in awe.
"Yep, just me and my dog Sam."
"I didn't know you had a dog.""I've had him for about a year now. He's an American Bulldog."
They pulled into the long driveway and made their way towards the front door. Once inside Reba was even more shocked. The inside was even better than the outside. Brad smiled when he noticed how surprised she was. Her eyes going from one place to another. Just as Reba was about to say something, Sam ran toward them. With his ears sticking up and tongue dripping out.
"Hey buddy I want you to meet someone." he pointed to Reba.
"This is Reba. Can you give her a handshake." Sam sat on his hind legs and lifted his right paw for Reba to shake. She thought it was so cute. Brad led Reba into the living room. The pizza and movies were all set up. As they sat on the couch watching Shallow Hal, Sam jumped onto the couch and placed his head on Reba's lap.
"Well I think someone likes you." Brad grinned.
"Yeah I think so too. He's so adorable. I'd happily trade my kids for him."
They were on their third movie when Brad looked over and found both Sam and Reba asleep. "She looks so peaceful" he thought to himself. Since Sam wasn't that big, Brad picked him up and put him on the floor. He carefully pulled Reba down onto the couch so she could rest more comfortably. He placed a pillow under her head and wrapped her in a nice warm blanket. For a moment he just stared at her, wondering what she was dreaming about. Brad kissed her forehead and made his way to the chair next to the couch. He got as comfortable as he could and slowly allowed himself to fall asleep.