Chapter 4: Sisterly Affection
"I'll see you both for afternoon brunch, Mamma," Sue Ellen promised as she hung up the phone. Hearing her mother's voice was not the ideal wake up call to start a day, but she had to face the inevitable.
"Kristin's back in town, and very anxious to see you."
"I'm sure she is, Mamma."
"Now Sue Ellen, be good to your sister. She hasn't been as fortunate in love as you have been."
"She doesn't seem too unhappy."
"Kristin can be of great assistance to you if you let her." Remember how nice it was when she stayed with you after John Ross was born?"
Sue Ellen bit her lip to keep from screaming. "Mamma, I don't know how Jock and Miss Ellie will feel about another houseguest."
"But they love Kristin. And you know that you'll be needing extra help with the new child."
"The Ewings have already hired a nursemaid for the new baby."
"Just stop by the house today. Everything will fall into place."
"Of course, Mamma."
Sue Ellen carefully pinned her hair in a fashionable bun. Part of her was very curious to see what Kristin had been up to lately. The last time the two saw each other was at the ten-year anniversary party last year. Sue Ellen cringed at the memory. Kristin was in top form that night, inducing stares from all of the male party guests – single and married. But she had eyes for one man that night: J.R. A fact that wasn't lost on Sue Ellen, who witnessed her sister throwing herself at her brother-in-law.
That girl could not give me a moment's peace, even on night that was supposed to be about me. Sue Ellen picked up a pearl necklace from her jewelry box, adding it on for a final touch. Smoothly her peach-colored dress, Sue Ellen nodded at the reflection in the mirror. "Perfect."
Miss Ellie and Pam sat at the breakfast table. "Would you like to go into town with me, Miss Ellie?" Pam asked.
"I think that would be nice."
Lucy came down the stairs, dressed in her bathrobe. She nodded her regards to her grandmother and aunt as she reached for the pitcher of orange juice.
"Good morning, Lucy," Miss Ellie said. "What time did you get in last night?"
"Around midnight."
"Did you have a nice time" Pam asked.
Lucy shot her aunt a look. "Jimmy and I had a very nice time. Although it was cut short due to the power outage."
"It hit us too," Ellie said.
Sue Ellen came down the stairs. "Good morning."
"Good morning, Sue Ellen," Pam said, stirring her coffee. "You were very quiet last night."
"I was thinking about Kristin and my mamma."
Lucy wrinkled her nose at the mention of Sue Ellen's devious sister. "You've been seeing Kristin."
"She's come back to Dallas – who knows for how long. I'm meeting her and mamma for brunch."
"Architecture school didn't pan out huh," Lucy laughed. Miss Ellie shot her granddaughter a careful look.
"Kristin was never one to stick with one path for very long."
"We'll have both of them over very soon," Miss Ellie said. "When the men come home."
Lucy buttered her bagel, trying to hide a frown. "I can't wait."
"Do you have time for something to eat?" Pam asked Sue Ellen.
"Afraid not," Sue Ellen said, taking a seat. "But I will have a cup of coffee." Teresa heard Sue Ellen's request and hurried to fill her cup. "Thank-you, Teresa."
"What has your mother been up to, Sue Ellen?" Miss Ellie asked, biting into a muffin.
"She returned from her trip to Greece last month. She adores traveling. But I think she'll be staying at the house for a while now. At least while Kristin is in Dallas." Sue Ellen stood up to leave. "I'll see everyone for dinner tonight."
When Sue Ellen was finally gone, Pam ducked into the living room, retrieving a notebook. "Now that Sue Ellen is gone, we can go over the finishing touches on the baby shower."
"It will have to be soon," Miss Ellie laughed. "She's ready to pop any day now. I think we should invite her mother and Kristin to the party."
"Grandma," Lucy protested. "Does Kristin really have to come? She isn't very close to Sue Ellen, it probably wouldn't make a difference whether she was here or not."
"That's enough, Lucy. Kristin is Sue Ellen's sister. I wouldn't mind seeing her again. She made things interesting at Southfork."
"Too interesting."
"Lucy, you don't know her very well," Pam inserted.
"Neither do you," Lucy shot back, a hint of anger in her voice. Pam was clueless to the fact that the last time Kristin stayed at Southfork, she made a play for Bobby.
"Lucy!" Ellie said strongly, "I want you to put that little attitude of yours away and be civil."
Lucy stood up, "it's clear that I'm not wanted here," she said quickly, leaving the table.
Pam looked on. "I blame myself for Lucy's behavior."
"I take it you two are still fighting?"
"She reminds me of the horses on Southfork, wild and free."
"That's the Ewing spirit. A blessing and a curse. But Lucy has done very well for herself, in spite of everything."
"She really has," Pam nodded.
-----
Patricia Shepard lived in a cute, two-story home in a nice development area. She had kept the house for decades. Sue Ellen and Kristin spent their childhoods here; there were so many memories.
Patricia dusted off a counter while Kristin lounged on the sofa, reading a book. Kristin's reappearance shocked her mother, who assumed that Kristin had been content to strike out on her own in California; but Kristin was a tempestuous woman, and no one knew exactly where she would go next. Patricia was thankful that she had a short amount of time to spend with her youngest. Hope was not lost on Kristin, who still had potential for greatness in her mother's eyes. All she needed was guidance.
The doorbell brought Patricia to the task at hand. She wanted to make sure that Sue Ellen was doing well at Southfork. She remembered how tumultuous her pregnancy with John Ross: the constant drinking, isolating herself from the family, ignoring her son. Patricia believed that Sue Ellen needed Kristin as much as Kristin needed her.
Kristin opened the door, giving her sister a once over. Kristin was dressed in a low cut top and cut-off short, a stark contrast to Sue Ellen's elegant appearance. "Sue Ellen." Kristin hugged her sister, "I haven't seen in months."
"The anniversary party."
"Sue Ellen!" Patricia Shepard came towards her wife. "You look radiant."
Sue Ellen was never accustomed to compliments from her mother. "Thank-you, Mamma." Sue Ellen took a seat next to Kristin, reaching for a tea cup. "I want to know how all about your trip to Greece."
"It was lovely, Sue Ellen. Two weeks traveling the islands of Crete, the beaches, the shopping, it was heaven."
"How long will you be staying at the house?"
"Well, I want to be here for you and the baby. It isn't every day that I get another grandchild."
"You and J.R. must be thrilled with the prospect of another child," Kristin said sweetly.
Sue Ellen eyed her sister. "Actually, Kristin, J.R. and I have never been happier."
Kristin frowned at her sister.
"I'm glad that you two have worked out your issues," Patricia said. "Lord knows I was concerned for you when you had John Ross."
"I was a different person then, Mamma," Sue Ellen said confidently, looking at Kristin, "and right now all I can think about is how wonderful it will be with the new baby."
Kristin reached for a sandwich. Ugh, she thinks she can fool me by saying that she's happy with J.R. Just you wait until I see him myself, Sue Ellen.
"Did I tell you that Pam and Bobby are adopting?" Sue Ellen asked excitedly. "They'll be three grandchildren on the ranch."
"That's wonderful," Patricia said. "It's a shame that Pam can't have children of her own."
"Don't write Pam off yet, Mamma. She's still a newlywed."
"Sue Ellen's right," Kristin smiled. "Just look at how it took Sue Ellen to have John Ross."
Sue Ellen nearly choked on her apple, sneaking a look at Kristin. I am not going to let her get to me.
"Kristin, what are your plans now that you're in Dallas?"
"Well right now I'm keeping Mamma company. But you know me, I go with the flow."
"Are you looking for work?"
"Sue Ellen, she just got here," Patricia insisted, placing a hand on her youngest daughter. "Kristin has a lifetime to work."
Sue Ellen nodded, thumbing the upholstery of the sofa.
"How's Southfork?" Kristin asked.
"Same as when you left. Our head foreman, Ray Krebs finally built his home on Southfork property."
"How are Jock and Miss Ellie treating you?" Patricia asked.
"Wonderfully," Sue Ellen smiled. "There are so happy with the new baby. Miss Ellie has spent months helping me redo the nursery. It's a green color, gender neutral, and the theme is nighttime sky – there are moons, stars, and suns all over wall."
"I'd love to see it," Kristin said.
"How's my favorite grandson?" Patricia asked.
"Rambunctious," Sue Ellen laughed. "He walks all over the ranch, he'll get into almost anything if he's left alone. I think he'll be happy with a new brother or sister."
"We're going to have to get the family together soon," Patricia said as she went into the kitchen to get dessert.
Kristin and Sue Ellen watched their mother leave. "So you and J.R. are happy?" Kristin asked.
"Never better," Sue Ellen smiled. "Why do you ask?"
"Well – the last time I saw you two together, I could of sworn you hated each other."
"You needn't worry about me, Kristin, or my marriage."
Kristin offered her sister a fake smile as she went to the liquor cabinet. "Vodka, Sue Ellen?"
Sue Ellen frowned at her sister. "No, thank-you, Kristin, I've given up drinking."
Kristin returned with her white wine. "Really?"
"You seem surprised," Sue Ellen said with a smirk.
"Come on, Sue Ellen, we know how you love your liquor."
"Kristin!" Sue Ellen said sharply, but she was interrupted by Patricia.
"Lemon tarts," Patricia proclaimed. "I got the recipe from the tour guide on my trip."
"How nice, Mamma," Sue Ellen said standing up. "I hope you don't mind, but I can't stay for dessert. I have errands to run."
Patricia nodded, waving goodbye.
"I'll walk you out," Kristin said. "I'm sorry about what I said earlier," Kristin said. "I'm really proud of you for not drinking anymore. For a while there I was really worried about you."
"How sweet," Sue Ellen said as she headed for her car. "I hope you find what you're looking for in Dallas."
"I'm sure I will," Kristin said mischievously as Sue Ellen drove away. "I plan to get everything that I want, and this time, you won't be able to stop me."
Sue Ellen sped off onto the Dallas Freeway. "Maybe I should keep an eye on Kristin, find out what she's up to." Try as she might, she couldn't shake the image of J.R. and Kristin together. Who was the guilty party? They both knew exactly what they were doing? Sue Ellen kept her hands placed firmly on the steering wheel. But can I really hold J.R. accountable for his past mistakes? A cold realization dawned on her as she drove into the Ewing driveway. He doesn't know that I know about him and Kristin.
Sue Ellen entered the house in a daze, unable to shake her meeting with her sister. Sue Ellen knew that there was something up with Kristin, that she had a reason for returning to Dallas after all this time. I can't let her out of my sight until I find out what she wants.
The phone rang and Sue Ellen picked it up. "Hello?"
"Hi, Sugar."
Sue Ellen froze, the sound of her husband's voice sending her an array of emotions. Pleasure, pain, concern, relief.
"Are you there, Sue Ellen?"
Sue Ellen opened her eyes. "Of course, J.R. How's the capitol?"
"It isn't Dallas." He paused for a moment. "I miss you, Honey."
Sue Ellen began to get choked up. "I miss you too."
"I tried to call you last night. The phone was off the hook."
"We had a power outage. How's the trial?"
"Long. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry has come to testify."
Sue Ellen sighed. He wouldn't be coming home soon.
"Did anything happen while I was gone?"
"I saw Kristin today."
J.R. became silent at the mention of her name. He was none too fond of Sue Ellen's devilish little sister. He had a very sordid past with her that he wanted to keep a secret from his wife as long as possible. "Is that a fact, Darlin'? How is she doing?"
Sue Ellen tested his tone to see if he was hiding anything. J.R. if you knew what I knew about you and Kristin… "She's doing very well. She's staying with mamma temporarily."
"And California?"
"I think she'll be staying in Dallas for a while."
"Oh." J.R. tried to mask his disappointment. "We'll be seeing her soon?"
"Her and mamma want to see the new baby."
"How's my boy?"
Sue Ellen brightened at the mention of little John Ross. "He says that he loves you very much."
"How's my other boy?"
He did it again. "Your daughter is just fine, my Darling."
J.R. laughed at his wife. "Any morning sickness?"
"A little. Miss Ellie was there."
"I wish it could have been me, Honey."
Sue Ellen smiled, knowing he was telling the truth. He had done such a wonderful job of being there for her during the pregnancy. Everyone in the family noticed the change in his behavior. "I know you do. Just make sure you're home for the delivery."
"Sue Ellen, nothing is going to keep me from seeing my child being born. This is one of the last major things I'll be doing with Ewing Oil. The rest will be paperwork from the home."
We'll see if he means it, Sue Ellen said quietly. "I love you."
"I love you too, Darlin'."
Sue Ellen gently placed the phone back in the cradle and headed upstairs. Taking a book out of her drawer she began to write.
June 11, 1982,
Well the inevitable happened, I saw Kristin again. She looks surprising healthy, but then again, she was always naturally beautiful. It's a shame that she never saw herself that way. Part of me still thinks that she resents me for stealing the spotlight when we were younger. I never asked to be the center of attention, or a beauty queen, the role was placed upon me by Mamma, and I didn't have the courage to say no.
Pam and Lucy are still fighting quietly. As much as I hate to say this, I'm siding with Lucy on the argument. She should be able to date whoever she chooses. And she really is brighter than everyone is giving her credit for. She isn't the same bratty little girl hell-bent on getting her own way, though it may seem that way sometimes. I keep forgetting about the hard upbringing that Lucy has had – growing up without her parents. As much as I resent Mamma for everything she's done to me, I can't imagine growing up without her. It still hurts to think that Daddy left us, only to die a little while later.
I don't know what to make of Kristin's return. Mamma can't be any happier if she tried. She sees this as another chance to mold her 'precious daughter'. She may never realize that Kristin does whatever she wants.
That's what bothers me. Kristin never considers other people's feelings when she commits her actions. I still can't believe that she went after J.R. – or was he the one who pursued her? Either way, they were both wrong, and they both hurt me.
Try as hard as I can, I can never forget what J.R. did to me with Kristin. Proper husband's don't sleep with their wife's sister; the thought never even enters their mind. I tell myself that J.R. is different, but does that really mean that he is?
-----
The women of Southfork gathered in the living room for an after dinner drink. Miss Ellie had requested that they continue the ritual, even though the men were not present.
"How's Kristin?" Miss Ellie asked.
"She's fine, Miss Ellie, my mother is doing well as well. She loved her trip to Greece."
"It must be nice to travel all of the time," Lucy noted. "Maybe that's what I'll do."
"Become a professional traveler?" Sue Ellen asked.
"I want to see the world."
Lucy, Miss Ellie, and Sue Ellen continued to talk about the benefits of traveling while Pam remained in a corner. She had had a bad day at The Store today. She had overheard female customers talking about her brother Cliff, and once again her thoughts were consumed by him. He hadn't called since the argument, and she was dying to know how he was doing. He never did very well on his own; he always needed to rely on someone.
Sue Ellen said goodnight to everyone as she tucked John Ross in the bed and tucked herself under the covers, snuggling under the confines of the blanket. She missed her husband very much. She carefully picked up the wedding photo on her side of the bed, holding it close to her chest. She had been so hopeful when she agreed to marry him, never imagining the trials that would befall her. Nowhere in the fairytales did the handsome prince bed the princess's wicked sister. The prince and princess never strayed from their sacred marriage vows.
"Oh, J.R., I hope you're safe, and that you come home soon," Sue Ellen whispered. The baby kicked in agreement, knowing that the father was missing. Sue Ellen rested a hand on her belly. "Don't worry, young one, Daddy will be home soon. A few more days." Tears began to form in her eyes as she kissed J.R.'s face in the picture. Eventually, Sue Ellen was able to close her eyes, fighting off the worries that were plaguing her.
Her happiness had blind sighted her; she found herself able to rewrite history, forgetting the past and looking ahead. It wasn't until she heard from her mother and was reminded of the past, that she realized the disservice she had done to herself in forgetting J.R.'s misdeeds.
J.R. slowly entered the ranch house. He was fortunate enough to testify right away and be done with the ordeal. He didn't want to stay in Washington D.C. any longer than he had to. He had a beautiful wife at home that needed him.
He took great pains to tread lightly, allowing the ladies of Southfork to sleep. It was a stroke of luck that he was able to get a late flight to Dallas – evidence that the Ewing name carried a great deal of power in Washington.
The door creaked open as J.R. turned on a night light. His glance fell to his wife, deep in slumber. Walking over to her, he noticed the wedding photo attached to her chest. J.R. gently brushed her hair away from her eyes.
Sue Ellen's eyes fluttered open at the touch on her forehead. "J.R.?" Sue Ellen asked hoarsely, still half-asleep.
"Hello, Darlin'," J.R. grinned, holding her hand. "Did you miss me?"
"J.R.!" Sue Ellen squealed in happiness, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him into a strong kiss. "Does that answer your question?" she smiled.
"If that's the kind of greeting I get when I come home, maybe I should go on business trips more often," J.R. teased.
"Don't you dare." Sue Ellen sat up. "How did you and the others get home so quickly?"
"Well, I was one of the first to testify so I said my peace, and then I told daddy that someone needs to be watching over the company and that I should go home."
Sue Ellen frowned at J.R.'s response, lowering her eyes. "You came back early for Ewing Oil?"
J.R. lifted her chin with his thumb and index finger. "You know that's not true, Sugar." He gently kissed her mouth. "I had a terrible time in Washington; you were all I could think about."
Sue Ellen ran her fingers through J.R.'s rich, dark hair. "And you were all I could think about."
Sue Ellen removed J.R.'s tie, "Just think about the wonderful time that we are going to have together when the baby is born."
"The crying, the late night feedings… you're going to be tired really quickly."
"J.R.!" Sue Ellen slugged her husband's arm. "I think I am going to enjoy motherhood the second time around. I missed out on so much with John Ross – I want this baby to know that there are two loving parents."
"I was only teasing, Honey. I got you a little something."
"J.R., you coming home early was more than enough."
"Now I don't want to hear any complaints, Darlin', because I don't think I'll be able to return it." Sue Ellen nodded as J.R. instructed her to close her eyes. He gently placed a box in her hand. "A little token of my affection."
Sue Ellen opened the box, revealing a dazzling sterling silver locket. "Oh, J.R.," Sue Ellen cried, "I love it."
"Don't stop now, Sugar, that's only half the surprise. Open the locket."
Sue Ellen carefully flipped the corner. On one heart was a picture of John Ross, the other heart remained empty.
"That's where the new baby picture can go," J.R. smiled, kissing Sue Ellen's forehead.
Sue Ellen couldn't speak. "It's perfect," Sue Ellen murmured, tears streaming from her cheeks.
J.R. gently cupped his hand around Sue Ellen's face, brushing away a tear. "I love you, Sue Ellen Ewing."
Sue Ellen froze at J.R.'s declaration, 'I love you'. She had not heard those words very often in the beginning of their marriage. J.R. had been tight with his emotions, never once letting anyone know how he truly felt. She took her husband's hand in hers. "Do you mean it, J.R.?"
J.R. caressed her cheek, gently kissing her mouth. "Sugar, I love you more than life itself." He pulled her against his chest, running his fingers through her hair. She seemed very afraid of something, preoccupied. J.R. wanted to know what was bothering Sue Ellen, but he thought it would be best left unsaid right now. "Whatever happened to us in the past, and whatever happens in the future, does not change my love for you," he assured her.
Sue Ellen looked into his eyes. She wanted to believe him, she needed to believe him. "J.R.," Sue Ellen moaned, "will you come to bed with me please."
"I can't think of anything else I'd rather do." J.R. gently guided his wife to the bed, sending a trail of kisses down her arm.
"J.R.," Sue Ellen cried in pleasure. "J.R, ah." Sue Ellen closed her eyes, allowing J.R. to temporarily wash away her fears and woes. She turned on her stomach, reciprocating J.R.'s amorous gesture. J.R. laughed in pleasure and Sue Ellen joined him as the two traveled to a world of pure ecstasy.
Pamela Ewing covered her head with a pillow, trying in vain to block out the passionate cries of her sister-in-law and her husband. She was miffed to know that J.R. had tried to come home early and Bobby didn't. She knew that she shouldn't be wishing any ill will for Sue Ellen – who had waited her entire marriage for J.R. to come around – but it bothered her that they were becoming so close while she was still having difficulty being with Bobby. There was somewhat of a distance between the married couple. Bobby was slowly spending more time at Ewing Oil, and he had told Pam that with J.R. wanting to step back when the baby came, he would need to be working longer hours at the company. Though he had promised to spend more time at home when they were able to get their baby from the adoption agency, Bobby showed no qualms about working harder until then.
Pam remembered that it was her idea for Bobby to fight for an executive position within Ewing Oil. She didn't know that he would be signing away their marriage to do it. She had seen J.R.'s previous attitude towards Sue Ellen and had written it off as a character flaw rather than a result of the company. Now Bobby was suffering from J.R.'s previous ailment, and he wasn't showing any sign of stopping.
Pam angrily pressed the pillow against her ears. Those two will be having a slew of children at the rate their going. Pam chided herself for her attitude, attributing it to her fallout with Cliff and Lucy. Everything will be better when I have the new baby. Bobby will come around and spend more time at home, and I will finally be able to experience motherhood.