Why Can't I Be Happy?
Chapter 7
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As Brock and Barbra Jean entered the house, Reba swallowed all of her left over anger with Brock so no one would notice the tension between them. Brock just glared at Reba. She took notice and tried to avoid his eye contact by drawing her attention towards Brad. It was silent for a moment, until Reba realized that she needed to say something before everyone became suspicious.
"Umm Hi guys. You both know Brad. Brad this Brock my ex-husband and this is Barbra Jean, his wife." Brad extended his hand to the couple.
"Nice to meet you two again."
"Nice to meet you too. Reba talks about you like crazy." Barbra Jean said gleefully. Brock just remained silent until he couldn't stand looking at the sight of Brad anymore, eventually going over to Van and Cheyenne. Reba noticed his coldness towards Brad but shrugged it off by reminding herself that the dinner would be over in a few hours.
They all sat down and prepared themselves to eat the wonderful food that was placed in front of them.
"Hey before we eat, let's kneel our heads and thank the good lord for this food." Reba said, taking a little of authority. They held hands and began to pray. Before anyone could say anything, Barbra Jean took over the saying of the prayer. It would be a while before they ate, sadly to say. As Barbra Jean went on and on, Reba softly opened her eyes and looked over at Brad. He was gently caressing her hand. Reba smiled. Brock had just opened his eyes when he saw the little encounter. Without realizing it, he interrupted Barbra Jean.
"BJ I think God gets it, we're thankful for the food. Now can you please wrap this up before the food gets cold." His tone was slightly cold with a hint of frustration and annoyance. Barbra Jean was at a lost for words. She wanted to cry but held it in. Everyone opened their eyes and looked at the sad Barbra Jean and then turned their attention towards Brock. Brad wanted nothing more than to tell Brock off, but didn't want to cause a scene and embarrass Reba. "How can a man talk to his wife like that?" he thought to himself. Van wasn't too thrilled about what Brock had done either, so he broke the silence and spoke up.
"Geez Mr. H calm down. She was just saying a prayer. I know she took a lot of time saying it but that doesn't mean you have to humiliate her in front of everybody." Everyone was quite surprised by Van's words. He had always been the guy to kind of shrug things off. Not to say he never got upset at anyone, but he never spoke against Brock in anger. Brock swallowed the lump in his throat.
"Your right Van I was wrong. Barbra Jean I am so sorry. You can continue saying the prayer if you like." Barbra just shook her head from side to side, trying to hold back the tears. Reba felt bad for Barbra Jean because she knew her feelings were hurt.
"No that's okay. I was taking too long anyway. Let's just eat." Barbra Jean left it at that and began eating her food, even though she didn't have too much of an appetite anymore. A little hesitant at first, everyone began eating. It took a moment for the awkwardness to go away, but soon everyone engaged in casual conversation.
"So Brad you have any kids?" Kyra asked. This was her first time meeting him since she was gone when he came over to the house for the first time.
"No I don't. I have a dog though, his name is Sam. He's more like a real kid then you know. So I consider him my son, in a furry, four-legged way." Everyone laughed, except the party pooper himself; Brock.
"What kind of dog is he?" Jake asked.
"An American Bulldog. He's white with faded black spots, particularly on his stomach. He's short and stubby. Sam took a real liking to Reba."
"He was probably amazed at her red-hair." Van said. Reba playfully hit his arm. Everyone ate and talked some more. Barbra Jean slowly engaged into the conversation as well. Brad complimented Reba's cooking. He really was enjoying the food. After everyone was done stuffing their faces, they slowly pushed the spoon and fork aside, trying to calm their full stomachs. They talked and laughed some more until everyone went about there separate ways.
Van, Cheyenne, Elizabeth and Jake retreated upstairs to their own rooms. Kyra, Henry, Brock and Barbra Jean soon left Reba's house also, leaving Brad and Reba all alone. Reba was setting up the dishes so they could be washed, when Brad walked in.
"Hey are you full?" Reba asked while smiling at him.
"Oh man are you kidding me. I haven't eaten like that since I was a boy. You really out did yourself."
"Well thanks. I really wanted to make sure you got a good meal." Reba went back to the dishes, unaware of Brad coming closer and closer towards her. Reba jumped a little when she felt his hands snake across her waist. Reba turned around and looked at him, wondering what he had in mind. Before she could say anything, his lips gently touched hers.
Brad began kissing her. It didn't take too long for Reba to get into it. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Brad slowly ran his tongue against Reba's lips. She opened her eyes and found him staring right back at her. A little nervous, she slowly opened her mouth and gave him access. Brad wasted no time in roaming her mouth. Reba sighed a little, trying hard not to melt. They were both really into the kiss. Brad slowly brought his hands down to Reba's butt, just as he squeezed it, Reba opened her eyes and slowly pushed him away. He was surprised at her action. It took her a while getting her breathing back to normal and she finally found her voice and spoke up.
"Brad maybe we shouldn't. I mean one of my kids could come down and see us." A little disappointed, he fully understood where she was coming from.
"Yeah your right. I would hate to see what Van would do to me if he caught us." They both laughed. He stayed a little while longer, helping Reba with the dishes. She walked him to the door when he finally decided it was time for him to go. They stood outside on the front porch saying their good byes.
"Reba thank-you once again for dinner. I don't remember the last time I had a great family meal like that."
"Glad to have given it to you." Reba handed him a goody bag to take home.
"Before I go I want to tell you that I'll be going on a business trip for a week. I have a corporate meeting at my office in New York."
"I'm not going to see you for a whole week, I'm going to miss you."
"I'll miss you too. But I'll call every night before you go to bed. Oh and one other thing, do you mind watching Sam for me while I'm away. If you can't I'll understand."
"It'll be fine. I like Sam and I'm pretty sure everyone else will too."
"Thanks sweetheart. I promise to make it up to you when I get back. I'll bring him over at about nine o'clock tomorrow morning."
"Sounds great. Have a great night and I'll see you tomorrow." They gave each other a sweet kiss and then went about their way.
Reba had finished things up in the kitchen and was about to go to bed when she realized the trash needed to be taken out.
Over at Brock and Barbra Jean's, the tension was so high that Kyra wished she would have stayed the night over her mom's house. She quickly went to her room and closed the door, knowing that an argument was soon to come. Barbra Jean went straight to their bedroom, Brock followed her. She abruptly changed into her pajamas, not even trying to hide her disgust and anger at Brock. He couldn't handle the intensity so he spoke up.
"Look are you going to talk to me or ignore me the whole night?" he asked, trying to play the victim.
"Brock you humiliated me in front of everyone. I didn't deserve that."
"I said I was sorry."
"Well sorry won't help you this time."
"Barbra Jean you were taking a long time and I didn't mean to say it the way it came out."
Barbra Jean didn't bother saying a word. She just climbed into bed and turned out the light. Brock became frustrated and left the house so he could get some fresh air. He was thinking to himself as he walked. He was brought out of his train of thought when he noticed Reba walking to the garbage can.
All of a sudden he felt his body going towards her. He tried telling himself to turn around but his heart wasn't listening. Reba was humming a tune to herself so she didn't hear or notice him behind her until she turned around. As she jumped in fear and shock, Brock grabbed her and kissed her. Reba broke the kiss and slapped Brock. She wiped her mouth off.
"Brock, what the hell are you doing?" Brock hadn't heard a word she said before approaching her again, causing Reba to step back.
"Don't fight it Reba."
Brock grabbed her again, holding her tighter. Reba began hitting him the best way she could. He tried kissing her but she either hit him or turned her head. As she tried backing away from his grip, Reba tripped over one of the kids' toy's. When she hit the ground, Brock took no time in straddling her. Reba began to cry.
"Brock please stop it. Stop." She was now yelling at the top of her lungs. Brock penned her hands down and was just about to kiss her when he felt a strong pain against his head. The pain was so fierce that it knocked him right off of Reba. When Reba discovered the person responsible, she quickly got up and jumped in the mysterious person's arms.
"Reba are you okay, are you hurt?"
"I'm fine. My ankle hurts a little."
When the person heard Reba say her ankle was hurt, the person lifted her off her feet and carried her into the house. Reba looked at Brock one last time before allowing the person to take her into the house. The person gently placed her onto the counter top. She hugged him tightly, still sobbing a little.
"Oh my God Brad thank you for saving me." she said while still holding him.
"I'm glad I came just in time. I can only imagine what would have happened if I hadn't shown up. Do you need to go to the hospital?"
"No I'll be fine. An ice pack and some aspirin should heal my ankle."
"I'm calling the police." Brad was about to go to the phone when Reba tugged at his arm.
"No Brad please don't. Don't call the police." she pleaded.
"Why not, he was trying to sexually assault you."
"I know, but he's the father of my children and I can't send him to jail. Besides he only kissed me."
"And held you down against your will." Brad was shocked.
"I know, but please don't call. Everything will be okay." She gave him a reassuring look. Though reluctant, he granted her request. He lifted her off the counter and took her to the living room, placing her on the couch. He went into the kitchen and made her an ice pack. He sat beside her, still trying to wrap his mind around what had happened. After a while, Reba feel asleep. He got off the couch to leave, seeing that she was okay. He felt a soft hand touch his. Reba looked at him through sleepy eyes.
"Brad could you please stay with me until the morning?" Brad kissed the top of her head and sat down next to her. Reba cuddled next to him. Brad held her tightly. Even after what had happened, Reba felt so safe in his arms. She knew that no harm would come her way if she was close to him. Reba fell asleep to the sound of Brad's calming heartbeat.