Deceived

Chapter Twelve

Chapter 12: Deadly deception

Time: Summer-Fall 2008

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Barbra Jean remembered the last conversation that she'd had with Brock. Bizarrely, they were all family now. They had to find a way to make it through this tragedy together. Brock was her brother-in-law. She'd never dreamed in a million years that she'd be Brock Hart's sister-in-law. She realized that all she wanted in that moment was Alex. He was the love of her life. If only they had met under different circumstances, they would've had a lifetime together. She picked up his picture that was next to her on the bedside table and kissed it. She curled up with it and tried to go back to sleep.

Brock was lying in his bed in the guest bedroom of Reba's house. He opened his eyes to see Jake standing in the doorway. "Hey," he greeted. There was a happy tone to his voice that had been missing for years. He finally felt a glimmer of hope. "What are you doin' here?" Brock moved to sit on the edge of the bed. He invited Jake to sit down and talk with him.

Jake sat down next to him. "I'm sorry."

"Why? What are you sorry for?"

"I lied. I told you that I don't remember you, but I do."

"I'm sorry that Alex is gone. That's not how I wanted things to turn out."

"I know. I'm sorry, Dad."

"Say that again."

"I'm sorry."

"No, no, no. The second part."

Jake smiled. "Dad."

Brock sat there, speechless. The happiness of that moment washed over him. He smiled back at his son.

Just then, Brock flew up from his bed. He looked around the room, no Jake. His head sank back down. It was just a dream. He tried to go back to sleep. He hoped for dreamless sleep for awhile.

Barbra Jean was sitting in bed, staring at her wedding photo. She remembered how happy she felt in that moment on the day when she pledged to love him until death do us part. She never imagined that they would be parted by death so soon.

There was a knock at the door. Jack Morgan entered with a tray of food. "I figured that you could use a bite to eat. You've got to eat something. I'm here to help. Liz has got Henry at Reba's down the street. Henry is with the rest of the family. I figured that you could use a hand around here. I just got back and Reba is really worried about you."

"What do you care? I tore Reba's life apart. I'm the bad guy. Why are you here comforting me when you should be with the woman that you love?" she responded angrily.

"Look, Reba is really worried about you. So am I. Your husband has just died. Reba has got everything under control at her place. She's handling things really well, but she wasn't his wife. You are. Come on, you can talk to me. You used to talk to me all the time when I was your marriage counselor. You're the reason why Reba and I met."

"Yeah, I know. I used to feel so good about that, helping Reba find love. She's my best friend. I hate the part that I played in the destruction of her marriage."

"Barbra Jean, you can't blame yourself for your family. Any other normal family would've comforted you and that's it. You didn't ask for anything like this to happen. In a way, you've helped Reba. You fell in love with someone who isn't Brock. You didn't destroy anything. Brock is here, alive and well. He's back to be a father to his children and an uncle to yours. Reba will be able to let go of any old hostilities eventually because you didn't steal her husband from her. This is a fresh start for you and Reba."