Chapter 10

Brock became increasingly suspicious of Reba. He found himself just watching and studying her every move. She was different but he couldn't figure out how or why. When he went to sleep, while he was golfing, or at work; every single moment of his day was concentrated on his wife's change in behavior. He didn't know how to ask her or approach this strange situation, but the more he allowed his thoughts to get the best of him, the more intense he became. There was a silent rage building inside of him that he couldn't release. He was like a volcano, ready to burst. As best as he could, he tried to hide his silent rage but it came out in other ways. He became short-tempered with the children and even Reba. He was quiet and didn't speak much. Although she was consumed in her own little world, Reba noticed the change in Brock. She didn't think too much of it other than maybe he was just stressed out with Barbara Jean and the anticipated arrival of their baby.

Barbara Jean was very far along and it wouldn't be too long before she gave birth to her and Brock's child. She was excited and couldn't wait to be a mother. Brock became increasingly distant and less attentive to Barbara Jean. This made BJ nervous because she feared that his change in behavior meant that he would run out on his responsibilities as the father of their child. She couldn't handle being a single mom. Brock just wanted to get the pregnancy over with. The more time he spent focusing on the arrival of the new baby, the less time he could spend figuring out what was up with Reba.

Reba completely distanced herself from Barbara Jean and the baby. She wanted nothing to do with them. She no longer resented when Barbara Jean came around because she would take that opportunity to spend time with Tim. Reba became so immersed in her relationship with Tim that her relationship with Brock became an afterthought. Reba was never a heartless person. There was still a part of her that hated what she was doing to Brock. However, Tim made her feel free and uninhibited. She didn't have to worry about anything with him. For once, she was the "bad girl" and she loved it. Tim was passionate, fierce, and strong. With Brock, Reba always had to be the mature one, but with Tim he took control and handled everything. Reba felt "taken care of" when she was with him. There was still love in her heart for Brock, but at the moment, Tim was her world.

One day while at the dental office, Brock's imagination began to run wild. Eventually he had to calm himself down because he knew that he was just being insecure. There was no way Reba was sneaking around on him. He figured he needed to do something that would calm his nerves. He decided to leave work early and go to the golf course to shoot off a couple rounds. He always liked golfing when he was stressed. While at the golf course, he hit the green solo. Just hitting a few rounds to melt the stress away. It was working for a while. He stopped with the negative thoughts and focused more on his game. While he was playing, two of his golf buddies, Ralph and John, approached him.

"Hey fellas what's up?" Brock said without taking his eyes off of his put.

"Well we seen you over here and figured why not get a game going. I'd like to win that $20 dollars back from last time." Ralph chuckled.

"No can do boys, I'm just here to let off a little steam. I'll be leaving in about 20 minutes or so," Brock said.

John was oddly quiet. He was normally out-spoken and witty. Brock noticed his quiet friend.

"Hey John, why so quiet?" Brock asked.

John and Ralph exchanged strange looks to one another. Finally, John spoke up.

"Look Brock, I don't want to get in your business or anything but my wife said she seen Reba the other day."

"And?" Brock was confused.

"Well she said that Reba was with another man. She said they seemed pretty close." John said uncomfortably.

Brock was speechless. He didn't want to show what he was thinking so he bit his tongue.

Ralph began to speak.

"I know you two are going through a tough time right now and we're only bringing this up because we didn't want someone else telling you."

"John, what did your wife see Reba doing with this other man?" Brock asked.

"Well, not much. Just that they seemed pretty close, like boyfriend and girlfriend. My wife and a few of her friends were at this new restaurant called Gigi's. That's where she saw Reba and this other guy."

Brock faked a laugh.

"Look guys, thanks for your concern. But trust me, it's not what you think. Reba's been having a hard time with a lot that has been going on in our relationship. He's just a friend. I love and trust my wife and she would never do what you think. She's not that kind of woman."

To cut through the now uncomfortable atmosphere, John spoke.

"Yeah, I mean I told my wife that when she told me. I know you two love each other and that Reba wouldn't do something like that. I hated saying anything to you but I figured since we're friends I'd say something."

"I understand. But umm, I need to get out of here. I have some business to handle." Brock made up an excuse to leave.

"We totally understand and we promise to keep this just between us." Ralph said.

Brock walked away fast. His face stained in red, his breathing becoming rampant. He drove as fast as he could home, nearly hitting a pedestrian in the process. He made it home and noticed she wasn't there. He calmed himself before walking in. He sat on the couch in the living room, waiting for her arrival. He picked up a magazine to keep himself occupied. He heard the familiar sound of her car pulling into the driveway. He slowed his breathing so that he wouldn't appear angry. He feared how angry he would get because he didn't know what he would do. She walked into the door, not noticing her husband sitting on the couch.

"Hey honey," he said calmly.

Reba jumped at the sound of his voice. She wasn't expecting him to be home so early. She was a bit taken back to see him.

"Oh wow, hey. I wasn't expecting you home so early," she said nervously.

"Yeah, I figured I'd come home a little early. I missed you."

Reba just nodded and smiled.

"So umm, where have you been?" Brock asked.

"I, umm, was doing a little shopping."

She began to walk up the stairs when Brock said something.

"Hey Reba, let me ask you a question. Have you ever been to this new restaurant called Gigi's?"

She maintained her composure.

"No, never heard of it. Why?"

Brock just nodded his head.

"No reason, it's a new place in town and I figured we could go sometime."

"Sounds great." She went up the stairs.

Brock stood in place, clinching his fists. She lied to him. His mind going in a thousand directions.

Reba closed the door to her bedroom behind her, wondering about what just happened with Brock. In her mind there was no way that he knew about her secret. She thought she was being careful. But still, his behavior was weird and the fact that he asked her about Gigi's, the very restaurant where she and Tim had gone was ironic.

Reba became uneasy. She hadn't felt this way since she and Tim snuck around the first time. She knew something wasn't right but shook herself of those thoughts, believing that she was just working herself up.

A storm was coming, she just didn't know how big.