There was a huge response for the first story in this series "Walk The Line" and I hope this one will be the same. I'd like to thank a couple people for the inspiration for "Walk The Line" before I begin. I would like to thank my sister first and foremost because I write for her and her only. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't write these Reba stories. Second, I'd like to thank Johnny Cash for writing an amazing song and being the true King of Country music :) He's amazing. So, now that that's done, here's...
Dead Flowers
She estimated it had been about an hour from when she fell asleep to when Brock woke her up. He shook her shoulder violently until she jolted awake.
"What?!" She sat up straight in her seat, her cheek was pink from laying on it too long.
"We're at the Quik Trip," Brock said, turning the engine off.
Reba put a hand to her head and squinted at the light. "Oh," She said and unbuckled her seatbelt as Brock got out to fill up the tank. She opened her door, got out, and was met by Cheyenne.
"Havin' fun yet?" Cheyenne asked counting out several dollar bills in her hand.
Reba stretched her arms over her head. "Best time ever," She lied.
Cheyenne gave her a look. "Mom, we saw you and Dad fighting," She said. "Is everything okay?"
Reba began to walk towards the store, Cheyenne on her heels.
"So," Cheyenne argued. "What's going on?"
"Nothing," Reba said. "Just a little argument. It's fine."
They walked inside to the store where Reba saw Van counting out Tootsie Rolls at the register, Elizabeth at his side. That's when Jake appeared with a bag of Doritos, a Twix candy bar, and a Mountain Dew and said, "Hey, Mom? Can I get this?"
"Huh?" Reba mumbled. "Yeah. Sure."
"Cool!" He ran to get in line behind Van as Reba and Cheynne walked towards the bathrooms.
"Mom, are you sure you're okay?" Cheyenne asked.
"Yes!" Reba said, a little annoyed. "Why do you keep asking?"
"Because you just gave Jake permission to eat candy and soda and it's not even nine in the morning."
"He just got out of the hospital. I want to make him feel special." She pushed open the door to the bathroom.
"Oh. Okay," Cheyenne said, still not convinced and went into a stall.
Reba went into the one right beside Cheyenne, praying she'd stop asking questions.
______________________________________________________________________________
Out by the gas pumps, Brock was filling up the gas tank when Van came strolling by.
"Hey, Mr. H," Van said. "Tootsie Roll?" Van offered him a piece of candy from the plastic bag.
As Brock watched the numbers on the meter get higher he said, "No thanks. I'm fine." He stuck his hands in his pockets.
"Are you sure?"
"Yep."
Van shrugged and took one himself. As he unwrapped it, he said, "Hey, Mr. H, is everything okay between you and Mrs. H?"
Brock swallowed and looked directly at Van. "Why do you ask? Has she talked to you?"
"No."
"Oh. Okay then." He turned back to pumping gas.
