On the plane from Texas to Nashville Reba sat next to Susie while Narvel slept off his hangover in the back. "You know the guy from last night? Narvel said that his name is Mark, he is divorced, owns one of the biggest fitness companies in the country, and is a really nice guy." "And?" "And I think I should have taken the kids and left you there for a workout session." She winked and smiled cheekily. "Reba how many times do I have to tell you? I'm a married woman." "Yeah but your husband is a jackass." "I love him and if you are gonna be like this the whole time then I wanna go home." "Okay, okay, I'll knock it off. But are you sure?" "Yes I'm sure, I'm not available" "Alright." She whined and looked out the window.
A couple of weeks had gone by and Susie had whipped Reba's house into shape. "My goodness Reba this place is a mess." It wasn't really messy as such, more just dis-organised. Reba and Narvel had a busy house, attached was the office that was quickly becoming too small for their fast growing business. Mail had piled up, furniture looked like it had just been placed in there after purchasing and not moved. The house was really a house until Susie showed up. She seemed to bring a homely feel to the place. She hadn't thought about being away from home, everything was so busy that she was spending her time organizing her sister's home life. "I like having Susie around, this house feels better" "Whatcha tryna say Narvel, you like having her around more than me?" She joked. "No darling not at all, the place just feels good. Don't you feel it?" "Yes I feel it, my sister's the best that's all!" She smiled happily.
Narvel could organize business, Reba could work, but neither of them could get themselves together to sort out their home. Susie was feeling great, but something was eating away at her inside. She loved helping her sister, and her kids enjoyed being in Nashville. She was worried that they would hate the city life, but they were starting to get used to it. Narvel had booked Susie to do a private show with Reba in Ohio and both were totally looking forward to it. Susie had no idea what it would be like to share the stage with her sister again. She asked if they could have a couple of vocal rehearsals with the band so that she would snap out of being so nervous. "Susie, you sing for a living, what makes you think you won't be great?" "I guess I just haven't sung with you in such a long time i'm scared we may have lost our harmony" "Okay, that's fair. We will give it a go."
"Cut! Ladies that was magical. There is definitely something to be said about a good blood harmony. I think she is your best duet partner yet Red. Your voices just blend so well together, and yet are so different." Susie smiled. She had forgotten how much she missed being up there with her sister. It just seemed to fit so well. "See I told you Suz, you're great! Narvel doesn't hand out compliments to anybody." "He seems to give em to you all the time." "At home, yes. But not in Business. In business he is a very hard man, and he doesn't sugar coat anything. Most people actually think he is an asshole." "Wow, okay. I'm pleased. I think I can do this." "Well of course you can! You're Susie McEntire" "Luchsinger!" Susie snapped. "Right, yeah, that."
Reba and Susie finished the private show and Narvel asked what they thought about going on tour together. "Narvel are you serious? You think the fans would pay to see us together?" Asked Susie. "Sure do, I wouldn't have asked if I didn't think so." "Can I think about it?" "Of course, let me know when you're ready… Before the end of the week would be good though... No pressure."
Susie had been suffering with low self esteem, and Narvel was slowly noticing all the signs. He wasn't surprised, but he also didn't know what he could do to help. He thought that having her there with her sister would be a start. In the stillness of the night both Narvel and Reba were in bed reading when Narvel put his book down. "Reba?" "Yes?" "Can we talk, or are you at a good bit?" "Good bit, give me a sec" a few minutes went by and she finally place her bookmark between the pages and set her book down on her nightstand. "I'm finished. Wow that was good" "Okay I'll give you a minute longer to come back and then I need to have a chat" "Sounds perfect. she snuggled down to rest her muscles, did a stretch and then sat back up again.
"Okay, I'm back. What's up?" "It's about your sister." "Go on." "Well I think she may be struggling with low self esteem. It doesn't surprise me, but I thought I would just let you know." "Okay… hmmmmm…." "I know what you are thinking, because I am thinking the same, 'how do we fix that?' But to tell you the truth I think we are already on the right track. For starters she is here with you, she has her kids. She is keeping busy, and she is back out there singing. I think she just needs a little time and she will slowly come right. "It makes a lot of sense. I can see it all now." "Yeah?" "Yes, just a few things she has been saying and doing. Okay, I know how to deal with her now... Just get her self esteem up,, and hopefully…" "Hopefully what? Don't you be schemin" "Hopefully she will leave that jackass." "Oh that, well yeah. She's just still in love with him, and thinking about her kids. I can accept that" "I can't." "Deep down I know you can Reba." "Okay, but only a little bit." "Look you don't have to like it to accept it" "Alright I accept it."
"I can't wait to smash that stage with her. She will come round I just know it… Hun, maybe you need to have a little chat to her and tell her how good this will be for business and she may feel better about it. I can't say it otherwise it will just be like I'm making things up because we're family." "And she wont think I am?" "No I already told her that when you do business you mean business" "Well that's no lie." "So you'll talk to her?" "I'll give it a shot, but right now I'm going to sleep. Night!" "Goodnight, sweet dreams." "Sweet dreams Reba"
A few months went by and Susie woke up in a sweat. It was the middle of the night and she sat bolt upright in bed. She had, had a horrible dream, one as bad as a nightmare and she had to go make sure her sister was okay. After all she had a special knowing. A gift that was passed down from her grandmother.
Almost forgot to thank those of you who have reviewed. Thank you, and I hope you continue to enjoy the story. Hang in there, it should get better.