"Hey, Mom?" Cheyenne called out as she and Van entered the house after school.
"Hi, sweetheart." Reba replied, coming into the room with a basket of laundry on her hip. "How was school?"
"Great." Cheyenne answered. "But, Mom, listen. There's this project that Van and mine's class has to do, a report on the book 'Old Yeller'. We have that movie, don't we?"
"Yes."
"I thought so. Great, 'cause I told some friends that they could come over and watch it with us. Is that okay?"
"Yeah, I guess so. When are they going to come over?"
"Hold that thought." Van said, reopening the door to the house and sticking his head out. "Everything's good guys, you can come on in."
Five football players and three of Cheyenne's friends trekked into the house from off of the porch. Reba rolled her eyes and disappeared up the stairs as Cheyenne found the movie and the others found seats in the living room.
All four of the girls melted into tears when Old Yeller died, but Van resisted the urge to cry. Not around his football buddies, no way. He darted into the kitchen, under the guise of finding something to eat. He ended up leaning against the island as the tears found their release. And a minute later, when Cheyenne came looking for him that was exactly how she found him.
"Oh, honey, what is it?" Cheyenne asked, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Is it the movie?"
"No!" Van denied, making the excuse, "It's staying up all night with Elizabeth. All of this lack of sleep is making me wonk, Cheyenne."
Cheyenne nodded, seeing right through his lie. "Sure it is, tough guy. Whatever you say."
Another idea that I've had hanging around for awhile. My first venture into the Reba category, so feedback would be great. Thanks, everybody! Each of these chapters is going to be inspired by a different part of the song, since you're actually not supposed to post song lyrics.:)