It has been 4 months since the cook out, and I have been the happiest I have been in ages. Things are great with Narvel, and Ronnie and Kix have not bothered me once.

We have finally died out on the media, we are officially old news.

My career is doing great. I am loving life.

I decided to go visit my mom for the weekend, we are currently heading out to lunch. We arrived at the diner, and fortunately, it wasn't too busy. We sat down at a corner booth, I ordered a coke, and my mom ordered some tea.

"So how are things with Narvel?" asked my mom after we had ordered.

"They are great. He has been really dedicated to our relationship, and trying to make it work."

My momma smiled at me. "I am happy for you."

"Really?" I asked her. I know she still is mad at Narvel for leaving me.

"I still hate that he hurt you, but as long as you are happy, then I support you."

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I truly had the greatest mother ever.

We talked for awhile about my kids, my career, what she has been up to. Our food arrived, and my mom brought up a subject I never thought she would.

"Have you talked to Kix or Ronnie?"

I looked up to her from my plate, a little taken aback from the question. She never looked up at me, just down at her plate.

"Not once since the cookout." I say to her as I go back to eating.

"Why not?"

"Because, any time we are together, we fight. I'm tired of it."

She put her fork down and looked at me, making sure she got my full attention before she spoke. "I know you three have been having issues, I don't know what those issues are, no one does. But I do have one question I want to ask you: have you guys tried talking it out, and I mean really tried. Or is what happened between you three so bad, that it can't be fixed. You guys were always so close, I would hate for it to end for good."

I let her words sink in. "No, we haven't, any time we're around each other, we fight."

"So let me ask one more thing: Is there any part of you at all that wants to work it out? If there is, then it's worth fighting for. Don't let it ruin the great friendship you guys have."

We never talked about it for the rest of the night. I had a great weekend with her, and my siblings, I really do miss home.

I got back home to Nashville and went home to an empty house. Narvel already told me he was going to be hanging out with some buddies of his, so I would be alone for the night.

I decided to open up a bottle of wine and just watch some tv. Around 3:45 my doorbell rang. I went ot answer it and I was not expecting who was on the other side. Ronnie.

"Hi Reba." he said.

"What do you want Ronnie, I really am not in the mood." I said, a little irritated to have him at my door, unannounced.

"I really want to talk to you. I promise, I am not here to cause trouble, I just really want to talk to you."

I have been thinking about what mom told me everyday since our lunch. Should I take her advice?

"Ok, come in." I opened the door and let him in. I turned off the tv and we sat down on my couch.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked him.

"I wanted to first apologize for the way I have been acting towards you, you don't deserve it."

I grunted. "I really am tired of hearing that from you, it's all I ever hear, but yet you continue to hurt me." I really didn't want to fight him, but I am very frustrated with him.

"You're right, I have said it a lot, but I really mean it. Reba I love you, I really do. I made mistakes, things I can't take back, but I mean what I am saying now."

"How can I know that, Ronnie?"

What he did next really surprised me, he kissed me. At first I let it happen, it felt comfortable, it felt right. What am I saying?

I push him away, and stood up. "No….." I started to pace. He stood up but didn't move from the front of the couch.

"Why did you just kiss me?" I ask him, momentarily stopping my pacing.

"I really miss you, Red. I made a mistake leaving you."

I walked up to him waving my arms like a mad woman. "You're right! You left me! For Janine! You just can't just come into my house and kiss me like that, I am with Narvel, you are with Janine."

He looked to his feet. "I am not happy."

I actually really felt bad for him, I still do love him, but I can't do it again. I sighed. "Ronnie, look at me." he hesitantly looked at me, and I could see nothing but hurt in his eyes. "Ronnie, I do love you, I always will, I can't control that. But you left me, I didn't leave you, I didn't want to. You really hurt me when you chose Janine, but I am happy with Narvel, I really am. I am sorry to hurt you, but I don't think you really know what you want. And I don't want to be someone's 'maybe', I want to be someone's forever. And I can't be that with you."

I actually started to cry when I said that. As much as he hurt me, I hated to do the same to him.

"I get it Reba, I understand, I am sorry for everything."

"I know you are."

I gave him a hug, and wished him a goodbye.