Mama looked at Pake with a mix of sadness and anger, she turned without saying a word and walked into the house. Narvel was shocked and confused, he held Reba protectively, he'd realized that everything Pake had said was only because he was angry and upset over his baby sister's situation. "Daddy? Why aren't you getting angry." "You just wait boy. He will get what's coming to him. There's more than one way to skin a cat!" And with that he walked into the house. "I don't understand."
Pake's wife went up and placed a hand on her husband's shoulder. "Come here and sit with me a while" "Why is no one angry about this? That's my baby sister he's beatin on and no one is givin a damn." She took him in her arms "Look, at the moment your sister still loves him with all her heart. Anything we do to hurt him will only hurt her, and cause her to move further away from us. Do you really want that?" "No, not at all, but why does it have to come at the cost of her body?" "Because that is the sacrifice she has chosen to make. The best thing we can do is be here for her to come to, and help convince her that she deserves better. Only she can make changes in her life." Pake nodded.
"I have to say, that Sod did a good job of the place….Dance with me?" "Love to!" "Say Reba, hit us with a slow one would you please." "Coming right up." Everyone got up for a dance before bed.
Boxing day came and it was the last day before Reba and Narvel were set to fly to Texas. Reba tried to ring Susie but she wouldn't pick up the phone. "Narvel, I'm going to check on Susie" "Okay, ring me if you need anything." "Suz!" Reba yelled as she walked through the front door. "Shhh the kids have all just gone down" "Sorry, I just came to check on you. He didn't add to those bruises last night did he?" "No, no he didn't. I'm fine. Cocoa?" "Yes please." Susie poured them both a cup and walked into the living room to sit on the couch.
"How about you come and stay with Narvel and I for a little while? Our house is sure big enough. You can help do some of the office work at home, and have the kids at the same time. Who knows I may even get to share the stage with my darling sister again." "And leave Oklahoma? No way!" "Oh c'mon Suz, just for a little while, treat it like a break, a holiday, something, anything." "That's very kind of you, I would say 'you both', but I know you Baw, you probably haven't even talked to Narvel about it." "Sure I have." "Really?" "Well, no, not exactly, but I know he'd be all for it." "You are too cute! But I can't run from my problems." "Well you're not really running if I just abduct you and the kids" She let out a cute little chuckle. "Think of it this way. You are just coming for an extended visit. This baby could sure use an Aunt Susie.. And so could I to tell you the truth.. I need someone close by who I trust, and who has already had children… I just don't know a thing about any of this." Susie looked at Reba like she was crazy, but she wasn't saying no. Reba actually thought she may be in with a chance. "I'll tell you what, how about I let you sleep on it and tell Paul. In the meantime you back your bags, our flight is tomorrow morning. Narvel and I will pick you all up at 7.30 "But Reba, what about Daddy?" "Well Pake, Alice, and Paul will all still be here. I'm sure he will be fine without you for a little while." "Okay, see you in the morning" Reba tried not to squeal with excitement. "See you in the morning." She walked out the door and as soon as she got out of Susie's vision she did a little dance *Yusss, my baby sister's coming with me! Now just to tell Narvel.*
"Narvel how do you feel about Susie and the kids coming to stay with us for a little while?" "Why not, if that's what it takes to get her away from that man she can move in" "I knew you would be okay with it. She took a lot of convincing and I told he just to think of it as a little break. I said that this little one needed an Aunt Susie, and so did I because I haven't a clue what to expect with any of this pregnancy business. I think that's the real reason she agreed to come." "Well I'm glad you convinced her darling, even if you did use our little one as part of your bargaining" He pulled her side close and rubbed her tummy kissing her cheek."