All eyes were on the Ewing family as they entered the ballroom. Sue-Ellen's gown was the immediate topic of discussion amongst many of the ladies. Most of them were complimentary about it but there were a few who, obviously jealous, couldn't help but make pointed and catty remarks. Jock led the way over to the Ewing table shaking hands and slapping the backs of his fellow oilmen as he went. Miss Ellie was stopped by Mavis Anderson for a few moments. They chatted animatedly about the new addition to the Ewing family and admired each other's gowns. JR and Sue-Ellen followed Jock. On their way people took the opportunity to congratulate them on the birth of their daughter. "I bet JR was less than thrilled to have a girl as his first born" Marilee Stone remarked to one of her guests. She had always felt hostility towards the young Mrs. Ewing. The fact that she was younger and more beautiful than her irked her.
Bobby's entrance was noted by Mr. and Mrs. Kay. They glared at him as he unfortunately had no choice but to make his way right past their table. John Kay muttered something under his breath but exactly what was said was imperceptible. However, it had the desired effect of making Bobby feel uneasy. As JR and Sue-Ellen went to take their seats JR spotted Cliff. He was conversing with Mrs. Kay. "Good God, who in their right mind would invite that idiot Barnes to this event?" JR remarked rhetorically. "It's obviously an attempt to irritate or embarrass us that the Kays have invited him" Jock replied. "It won't work though. Just don't rise to anything boys" he warned JR and Bobby. Sue-Ellen looked over to the Kay table. As she did so she made eye contact briefly with Cliff. Did he just wink at me? she mused as she took a sip of her champagne.
Cliff had indeed winked at her. He was strongly attracted to the beautiful young woman but there was also a part of him that wanted to annoy the Ewings and by pursuing Sue-Ellen he would surely achieve just that. Once the initial nervousness had subsided Sue-Ellen began to enjoy herself. Dinner was quite delicious and Jock made sure that the wine kept flowing. Sue-Ellen's body was no longer accustomed to alcohol. She took tiny sips and alternated with mineral water however, by the time the meal had ended, she felt a little giddy.
JR made an attentive companion to his wife during dinner and Sue-Ellen was most appreciative of his efforts. By paying so much attention to her JR was oblivious to the fact that Cliff had been unable to take his eyes off her. However, Sue-Ellen was aware of it. A small part of her was flattered. It was good to know that she was still attractive to the opposite sex. Cliff smiled at her and she shyly returned the smile. It wouldn't do any harm to make JR just a tad jealous, she thought.
Meanwhile Bobby was attracting a different and much more negative kind of attention. Mrs. Kay was gradually working herself up to say something to the love-rat who almost ruined her beloved daughter's life. The fact was that even though Grace had returned to her studies her experience with Bobby had changed her. She was no longer the vibrant girl she used to be. Instead, she had become more serious and subdued. Graduating from law school at the top of her class had become almost an obsession these days and it worried her parents. Bobby couldn't help but notice that Mr. and Mrs. Kay were staring at him. He shifted nervously in his seat as he tried to avert their gaze.
As the band began to play JR nervously invited Sue-Ellen to dance. He was pleased when she accepted. Their dancing started out very formal and somewhat at arms' length but after several songs Sue-Ellen began to relax in her husband's arms. It felt so good to have her back in his arms, JR thought. It was Jock who interrupted them. "Time to get down to business, JR." JR realised instantly what his father meant. Socialising and networking were necessary at such an event but at that point JR couldn't help but feel a little irritated. "It's fine, JR" Sue-Ellen commented as they left the dance floor "I understand." JR touched her hand. "I'll be back soon, I promise. Will you dance with me again?" Sue-Ellen nodded.
Thereafter, Sue-Ellen got caught up in a conversation with Miss Ellie and some of the other women. However, she soon became bored and decided to excuse herself to visit the ladies' room. She wanted to check her hair and make-up. As she returned to the ballroom she encountered Cliff. "Mrs. Ewing, you do look lovely tonight. Are you enjoying yourself?" he asked obsequiously as he backed her into a corner. Sue-Ellen felt nervous but managed to respond that she was indeed enjoying herself. "If you were with me I wouldn't leave your side for one second" Cliff teased. "Oh wouldn't you Barnes? She's my wife and you have no right talking to her." JR's voice was raised as he flew across the room to confront his enemy. "We were just talking JR. Can't your wife talk to who she likes?" Cliff replied. "Are you afraid that I will take her away from you like your daddy took all those oil fields from my father?"
JR had had enough. Before Cliff could take avoidant action he punched him hard on the chin, knocking him to the floor. "Did you all see that?" Cliff shouted as he made to get up. "JR Ewing can't control his temper. Are you like that with your wife as well?" he laughed. The latter insult was all that was needed to cause Jock and Bobby to fly to JR's defence. This time it was Bobby who punched Cliff. "You're scum Barnes just like your daddy, get out of here!" Jock shouted. The room came to a standstill as people stared, enjoying the confrontation. Whilst the vast majority of people present wouldn't have dreamed of getting involved one person did- John Kay.
"He's the one that needs to get out, Jock. Your precious son, Bobby. He shouldn't even be here. Hang your head in shame boy." As his wife looked on John took the opportunity to punch Bobby. It was a clean blow to the jaw. Sue-Ellen and Miss Ellie looked helplessly on as all hell broke loose. The five men were now engaged in a full-on fight. The spectacle was not only unnerving but mortifying to Sue-Ellen. What would her mother say when she reads of the Ewings brawling at the ball in the society columns? she thought worriedly.
She decided to leave before she could be captured in any of the press photographs. "This will make such great copy" she heard a journalist remark. In total panic she got into the Ewing limo and instructed the driver to take her home. She felt jittery and tearful. She was also very angry with her husband. How dare he make such a spectacle of himself and me? she thought.
By the time she got back to the house she was feeling calmer. Being back with her baby and away from all the mess that JR had created was all she wanted.
It was another hour before the rest of the family returned home. The fight had been broken up and a call to the police averted. Sue-Ellen wasn't the only one to be angry though. Miss Ellie was fuming with her husband and sons. The drive home accordingly took place in silence, the three men anxious not to set her off. When JR entered the bedroom nursing a split lip and a very sore hand Sue-Ellen was finishing getting ready for bed. She studiously ignored her husband, preferring to glare at him silently instead.
"Well say something darlin even if it's only to tell me off." JR broke the silence. "I am sorry, Sue-Ellen." "Sorry? It seems these days that you are always sorry for something, JR. I'm sick of it!" Sue-Ellen shrieked in reply. "Please sugar, don't shout. I don't want mama to be upset again" JR pleaded. However, it was no use. Sue-Ellen was becoming hysterical. "Do you know what JR? You made a mess of our marriage and I hate you!" Finding strength that she didn't know she had she began pushing JR backwards. "Get away from me!" As she pushed him one more time JR fell on his back on the bed and Sue-Ellen fell on top of him. Taking the back of her hair JR pulled her face to his and began kissing her. "Get off me! I hate you!" "Well I love you, Sue-Ellen. Enough now!"
She tried to but she couldn't resist him. His passion was contagious. Sue-Ellen suddenly began kissing JR back, deep and hard. "I love you" he repeated. "I love you" she replied between kisses. JR giggled. She belonged to him once more.
tbc