"It's Christmas Eve, JR, for God's sake!" she shouted as he left the room, slamming the door behind him. She sighed, fighting back the tears before she succumbed and threw herself on the bed, weeping uncontrollably. She hated her life. But for little John Ross there would be no point in going on any longer. His words had been cruel and cutting. He didn't want her, she was boring, just a drunk and a cheap slut, and the fact that it was almost Christmas changed nothing between them. The temptation to reach for the bottle that she had stashed in her underwear drawer nagged at her as her sobs subsided. Suddenly, the lights on the baby monitor flashed and her maternal instinct kicked in. Her baby needed her more than she needed the vodka, she decided. She rose, put on her robe and made her way to the nursery.
Driving away from Southfork in the direction of the city, JR exhaled. He hadn't meant to react towards his wife in the way he had, not at Christmas, but, as ever, she had pushed his buttons, provoked him and driven him to it, he rationalised. After a jovial enough family dinner, he had gone into the bedroom to find her in what he had perceived to be full- on seduction mode. Standing there, at the window, in the warmth of the candlelight, looking at him expectantly, she had been most definitely alluring but part of him also suspected an ulterior motive. Too much had happened between them and a night together wouldn't undo all the damage that had been done, he had decided. Pushing her away as she approached him, keen to escape, he had said the first thing that had entered his head. He appreciated how harsh his words had been but, at the time, he hadn't been able to stop himself.
At the start of his journey, he had no idea where he was going or what he was going to do. Deciding that the Oil Barons' Club was a safe bet for several drinks and the possibility of picking up a pretty lady, he turned into the underground car park and took the nearest space. He glanced at his watch. The party upstairs would still be in full swing notwithstanding that it was already 11pm, he thought as he exited the vehicle, making sure to lock the driver's door. Something told him that, by the time the night was over, he would be taking a cab back to Southfork.
As he walked to the elevator, he noted how unusually still and quiet it was. He looked around him suspiciously. No Christmas revellers returning to or leaving their cars or specially commissioned chauffeured transport, he realised. It was just him and it felt weirdly surreal, as if time was standing still. He looked up, about to press the ascend button on the elevator panel, when he saw her. "Hello, JR" she greeted him. He gasped quietly in surprise and stepped back. The woman held her hand up to demonstrate that she meant him no harm.
"Who are you?" he asked, attempting to compose himself. "A friend" she answered simply. He stared at her intently, trying to figure out how she could know him when he was certain he had never met her before. She was tall and thin, much older than him although her face had an ethereal quality the like of which he had never seen before. Her long, white hair blew in the chill breeze behind her causing a shiver to run down his spine. "I asked you a question?" he demanded. "I've been sent to show you" she replied. "Show me what?" Irritated by her calm yet mysterious demeanour, he took a step closer to take a better look at her. Despite her other worldly appearance, her countenance appeared friendly, he told himself. If she were to try to attack him, he knew that he would have the upper hand, given her age and slight build.
"Life at home is problematic for you, JR, isn't it?" she began. He paused before responding, intrigued. If this was another set up by Sue Ellen he wouldn't be impressed, he thought. "And what business is that of yours?" he enquired eventually. "It's my job" she replied flatly. "Take my hand, I have something to show you" she commanded. "Why should I?" he asked reticently. "Because there's much that you need to know, before it's too lateā¦" He didn't want to, but he took her hand anyway, almost powerless to resist. "I'm going to let you see what life would have been like had you and Sue Ellen never met. Now, close your eyes" she told him as she wrapped her icy cold fingers around his.
He obeyed her for a split second before curiosity got the better of him. Opening his eyes, he took a sharp intake of breath as he looked around him. "What the?" he questioned. She smiled benignly. "Just look" she answered. They were standing in the grounds of a quaint looking church. The doorway was surrounded by thick festoons of holly and ivy held in place by sturdy branches of the greenest fir. A light covering of snow illuminated the ground, daylight fading, telling him that it was mid to late afternoon.
A vintage Rolls Royce, decorated with deep red ribbon, drew up outside. The chauffeur got out first, walked to the rear passenger door, opened it and held out his hand. JR looked at his companion quizzically. "Watch" she commanded firmly.
Delicate white satin heeled shoes were planted elegantly on the sidewalk, followed by billows of white satin, indicating the arrival of a bride. JR stared carefully as the woman emerged. "It's Sue Ellen!" he gasped. "She's so young!" he commented, struck by the radiance of her beauty, just as he had been when they first met. "She's 22" his companion responded. "She can't be" he retorted. "When she was 22, she was already engaged to me?"
"You weren't listening, JR. I told you that I was going to show you how it would have been had you never met Sue Ellen. Well, this is how it starts, right from here." He shook his head, perplexed. "I don't understand?" "You will."
Waiting for the young bride to enter the church, the woman took his hand once more and made to follow. "We can't" JR protested. "They can't see us" she replied firmly. They took their places, standing at the back of the crowded chapel, as the bridesmaids proceeded first, followed by Sue Ellen, all alone, to walk up the aisle. For a split second, before beginning her walk, she turned, as if she had seen him. His stomach lurched as he caught sight of her face properly but she did not make eye contact with him. Instead, she adjusted the bow slightly at the back of her wedding gown before taking her first step.
"She's stunning" he remarked. His companion nodded. "She certainly is, just like she was on your wedding day, JR." "She looks really happy too" he noted, a wave of sadness suddenly washing over him. "She is, at least for now."
He strained to see who was waiting for her at the altar. "That's Clint Ogden, her college boyfriend" the woman told him. "He proposed to her at their graduation ball and she accepted." JR shook his head. "No!" he protested. "Sue Ellen is mine! Always has been."
As Clint lifted her veil, they greeted each other with the widest of smiles. "You are so beautiful" Clint mouthed to her, making her blush shyly. "No, this isn't happening. It's a bad dream" JR muttered under his breath, suddenly feeling quite sick. "Her mother would never have allowed it."
"Her mother is over there, right at the front of the congregation, on the bride's side. Oh, and you're right. Her mama doesn't approve but Sue Ellen couldn't care less. She and Clint are determined to make a life for themselves, a good and happy family life."
"Where does that leave me then?" JR asked, highly irritated. "Do you want me to show you?"
TBC
Thanks for continuing to read my stories even though I haven't posted for ages. I'm getting a proper break this Christmas and hope to continue those that I have already started. Just done this to get back in the swing of writing and because a little bit (or a lot) of plagiarism can't harm anyone at this time of year. Hope it's okay? : )
