Susie had decided to go on tour with Reba. She had gotten her fire back and there was no stopping her. She had even put on a few more pounds and she was back to her healthy weight. If someone walked into her life now they wouldn't know the same Susie, she was vibrant and full of life. Both Reba and Narvel were so happy to see her blooming again.
One night when all the lights went out and her children were fast asleep, she felt so alone in her hotel room. She knew the next morning she needed to get in contact with her husband. She hadn't seen or spoken to Paul since she had left Oklahoma, and she knew she had to face her problems eventually. The next show her and Reba were doing was in a week's time in Tulsa, OK. They both had a week to relax and get their heads together.
Reba and Narvel both knew this show would be interesting being so close to home, and they were fully prepared to lose Susie at this point on the tour. Reba thought her sister would meet up with her husband and that would be it, she would fall back into the same well and stay home.
Susie decided she would try and get some more rest but for some reason she just couldn't. When she finally did get some shut eye she had an awful dream. She couldn't quite make out what was going on Narvel sitting with his head in his hands on an uncomfortable bench chair. *"What is going on? What's wrong Narvel?" Susie kept shouting at Narvel in her dream but it was as if everything was unfolding in front of her and she couldn't do anything, the people in this dream couldn't see her, hear her, nothing. Susie continued to watch the scene unfold. Reba was on a hospital bed, there were nurses and doctors still all rushing around her, and a very scared looking Narvel had been kicked out of the room. Susie was trying desperately to make out what was wrong when she suddenly woke in a sweat.
She tried to calm herself down and convince herself that it was just a dream, nothing bad would come of it. But she couldn't shake the terrible feeling in her gut. She thought she ought to run up to Reba's room and make sure she was okay. But Reba and Narvel's room was two floors up, and she couldn't leave her kids alone. She decided to pick up the phone instead.
"Uh hello?" A sleepy voice quietly called through the phone" "Oh hi Narvel I'm sorry to wake you, I just… I really need to hear Baw's voice, would you please put her on?" "Susie you know it's like 3am, and she is kinder out to it, do you really think it's a good idea? She doesn't so much like being woken." "Yes, Narvel please. I had a terrible dream, and I really just want to come jump in bed with her, but I can't leave the kids... Please." She sounded distraught. Narvel reached his hand out and rubbed Reba's hip giving it a little shake. "Baby… Reba.. wake up, Susie is on the phone and needs to talk to you." He heard her groan and then move her eyes. "Ahh the light Narvel, please flick it off." She buried herself under the blankets. In a few seconds she finally realized why he had woken her.
"The phone, Susie, is she okay?" "She's fine just needs-" "Give it here." She cut him off in a panic. "What's up Suz? Are you okay? Are the kids okay?" She quickly blurted out. "I'm fine, Baw I'm sorry I woke you, I just had a horrible dream, and I just needed to hear your voice so I knew you were okay." "Ughh" Reba rolled, and came out of the blankets knowing Narvel had turned out the light. "I'm sorry, I just...It really scared me, and It was so real. If I could, I would run and jump in bed with you. I love you Baw" Reba sighed "I love you too Suz, I'm just really tired and a bit grumpy. I think I'm more awake now. Give me a few seconds, I'm coming down."
Reba rolled over kissed Narvel on the lips and whispered "I'll see you when the sun rises. I'll explain then." Reba knew about Susie and her dreams, she knew how real they felt to her, and how they generally were a sign of something to come.
"Move over Suz." "I was just getting your side warm." "Thanks." Susie snuggled up to her big sister and laid her head on the sisters chest with her hand on her tummy. Reba put her arm around her baby sister and stroked her hair "It's okay, I'm okay, you can relax now...Shhh go to sleep." "You didn't have to come down, I just needed to hear your voice." Susie sobbed quietly. "No it's okay, I know how these dreams are, we did share a room once remember.. Now shh."
They both fell asleep peacefully and were woken in the morning by the kids. "Suz, I'm gonna borrow a top and pair of jeans just to go up to my room and change" "Okay, oh and Baw, thanks again for coming to be with me." "That's okay." She flashed her sister a smile before heading out the door.
"So what was all that about? Susie feeling better." "Yes she is doing fine. She was just a little shaken up is all." "She get bad dreams often?" "What? You jelly that I didn't stay in bed with you?" "No, I just missed sharing our morning kiss." "Well get over here." She kissed him deeply.
"Honey, our little Martha has a very special gift. Sometimes she can see things before they happen. It's not uncommon in our family, she is just like our grandma." "Okay…Should I be worried?" "Well she didn't tell me what she saw, but it can't have been too good if it upset her that much. That doesn't mean we have to worry, it's maybe just a sign to look after ourselves." "Okay Reba, I'm trying not to freak out here." "Everything is fine baby, I just need a shower and good breakfast before we hit the road." "Coming right up."
The buses crossed the border and into Oklahoma. Susie's heart started pulling. She had arranged to meet up with Paul as soon as she was settled into Mama and Daddy's. Her, the kids, Reba, and Narvel were going to spend a couple of days at Clark and Jackie's before they had to head to Tulsa.
Susie had visited Paul and taken the kids to see their father. She rang Reba and said she was going to stay there the night as the kids were too excited to leave. That night Paul swept her off her feet, and tried to convince her to come home by making love to her. The next morning Susie was ready to fall for it when the phone rang, and without thinking she answered it. She heard the voice of another woman on the phone. "Hello?" "Hi, who's this?" "This is Susie, may I help you?" "Sorry I think I have the wrong number." "Well perhaps not, were you after Paul? He's just on the front porch. I can get him if you like." "No need to get him, could you please just tell him that I'm sorry I'm late for breakfast, but I'll be over in half an hour." "Yes, and you are?" "Oh sorry, this is Anna his girlfriend." Susie's heart broke in two. "Really? I'll be sure to pass on the message."