Deceived

Chapter Six

Chapter 6: Mother's Intuition

Time: Summer-Fall 2008

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"I'm kinda interested in hearing that answer myself," Reba said as she appeared at the top of the stairs. She paused before descending down the stairs.

"I was just trying to explain to the kids that I'm here to stay."

"Jake was tryin' to make Daddy go away, Mommy. He was being mean. Daddy's a hero."

"I was just trying to explain to this guy why it's not enough. He left us and that's not easy for us to understand."

"Jake, go to bed."

"Mom, can I stay the night at Dad's tonight?"

"No, you may not. Everything is out in the open now. It's not safe to be with Alex right now. He went against the Bookers. Who knows what they're plannin' now? Jake, go to bed. Brock, go home. Maggie, I'll tuck you back in bed."

"But I want Daddy!"

"Reba, I can take her back to my place for the night. I have a couple of extra bedrooms. I just wanna spend time with my daughter."

"You really don't understand, do you? I'm takin' what Alex said very seriously. There are people out there who want to hurt us. As far as I'm concerned, you and Alex are moving targets. The children are better off here. Ironically, we're all much safer with Barbra Jean around. I doubt that anyone will do anything as long as we're with her."

"Okay, I get it. I want you guys to be safe too. Can I tuck her in with you?"

Reba nodded. Jake was still angry. "I'm going to my room." He stomped off up the stairs.

Brock lifted Maggie into his arms as he and Reba went upstairs. "I want to hear the story of how you fell in love with Daddy."

Brock tucked their daughter into bed and kissed her goodnight while Reba told her the story. Brock sat back in a chair in the corner of the room, listening to Reba's every word. Once Maggie was asleep, the two parents quietly left the room. "You made our story sound like a fairytale."

"It almost was."

"Thank you for our daughter. Thank you for all of our children. You're a good mother, Reba."

"Thanks. I have a bad feeling about tonight. I'm gonna call Liz and invite her to stay here tonight with Henry."

"You're inviting my mother to stay here tonight. This must be serious," Brock teased.

"I'm serious. My intuition is working overtime. It's not safe to be in that house tonight. I'm callin' Barbra Jean." Reba raced downstairs to call Barbra Jean and Liz.

Barbra Jean didn't take the warning seriously. She was just grateful to have Liz out of her house for the night. She had a sitter for Henry and was looking forward to some alone time with her husband. She kissed Alex goodbye and went to get some food, wine, and videos for their evening alone.

Liz took Henry over to Reba's house. Reba checked on the children numerous times, all but Jake. She checked on him once. Everyone else was sleeping soundly. Jake verbally attacked his mother for allowing Brock in their lives again. Reba was emotionally exhausted from fighting with Jake so she left him alone in his room after that. Liz insisted that if the family was truly in danger that Brock had to stay the night too. She wouldn't even let him go back to his house to pick out a clean set of clothes. Liz tucked her son in on Reba's couch.

Meanwhile back at Barbra Jean's house, Alex was pouring himself a drink and waiting for his wife to come home. He heard a noise and called out to see if Barbra Jean or one of the kids had come back to the house. No one answered. A figure stepped out of the shadows and revealed himself. "My god, what are you doin' here?" Alex questioned suspiciously. The intruder pulled out a gun and shots were fired at Alex. He fell to the ground with blood on his chest. Barbra Jean arrived home a few minutes later to find the front door open. She cautiously entered the house and called out to her husband. That's when she saw him, laying on the living room floor. She gave a bloodcurdling scream. She dropped her bags and ran to him. Alex was lying in a pool of his own blood on the floor, motionless. She dialed 911. She called for an ambulance and ran to get some towels.