Austin, Texas

"You know, I really thought you'd have different news when we returned. Look at all these girls with rings on their fingers. Where is yours? A diamond bracelet, necklace and earrings are nice, but a ring is really what I expected you to be showing me" Paula joked but Sue Ellen didn't laugh, she'd actually half expected the same thing. With JR's insistence that they would be engaged when it was the right time and his increased interest in doing romantic things for her, she had assumed that he was leading up to ask the question, but he hadn't, Christmas and New Year had passed and hadn't moved any further than they were before the holiday break. Her logical mind knew that it was probably too soon anyway, but her emotions clouded her thoughts, she couldn't wait to be his wife; everyone kept mentioning it, but JR never made any moves towards making it happen. The words echoed in her mind, 'when the time is right', she just hoped that that time was soon. "Paula, you know JR, he always has a plan, but he doesn't always let people know of his plan. I'm sure he knows what he's doing. Now, tell me all about your Christmas, that bracelet doesn't look like something either of your parents would purchase", Paula smiled, Sue Ellen knew her well, "well remember how I told you about Roger, my boyfriend in high school, I was a sophomore and he was a senior…"

Sue Ellen returned from a late cheerleading practice, as she walked back from the gymnasium back to the sorority house she thought about the next few months. She'd be graduating in May and the Miss America pageant was in June, there were a few modelling jobs she already had booked and some remaining Miss Texas duties to complete before the crowning of the new Miss Texas, but after June, she would be free to do whatever she wanted with her life. She and JR were under pressure from both of their families to get married soon, but somehow it seemed too soon, though she wouldn't say no if he did ask her. She was at a crossroads, not necessarily right this minute, but coming very soon, if JR didn't ask her to marry him, she had no idea what she wanted to do, should do or would do. Her whole life, she had been raised to marry a wealthy man, there was never another option or even the possibility that it wouldn't happen, modelling was good for when she was young, but it wasn't a career for life. She had a college education, but no real skills and no real desire to have a career as a teacher or secretary, the two jobs that would be open to her as an English major and a woman, times were changing, but not that quickly. Patricia wouldn't be happy with her daughter having to work at all, come May, JR would be under a lot of pressure to propose. Patricia wouldn't have her daughter working to support herself when she had a wealthy boyfriend that she couldn't get to commit, she'd definitely interfere in their relationship and cause problems, whether it be with good intentions or not. She thought about calling and warning JR, but it was January, they still had months until this was a real problem.

"Sue Ellen, your mom is on the phone" a knock at the door snapped her out of her daydream, talking to her mother was the last thing she wanted to do right now. She walked into the common room and answered the phone, glad that there weren't too many other girls in the room, she didn't imagine this would be a pleasant conversation. "Hello mama" she cautiously answered, not sure what to expect, "Sue Ellen, how are you?" Patricia was uncharacteristically excited about how her daughter felt; something was going on. "I'm fine mama, just busy with school and cheerleading. Did you have a special reason for calling?" she waited, there was always an angle, "actually, I did. Do you remember a man named Robert Collins?" she didn't, but she was sure that her mother would remind her. "No, should I?" Patricia sighed, Sue Ellen was so forgetful when it came to important people, "yes, he owns 'Her Style' magazine; you met him a few years ago at a modelling test shoot. Do you remember?" the vague memories were coming back, but Sue Ellen couldn't believe that her mother even remembered this man, he'd barely spoken to either of them. "Yes mama, I remember. What does he have to do with the story?" she was impatient now and just wanted answers, "well, I was with Kristin at the studio, getting a few pictures taken and he was there again, his magazine is mostly for younger girls, but they also have a section for teens and young ladies. They don't sell very well to the older demographic though and are revamping their approach, they're looking for a new girl to be the face of the new and improved magazine. I happened to mention that you were Miss Texas and the future Mrs JR Ewing and he jumped at the chance to meet you. I've organized a lunch for us to attend on Thursday; I will pick you up at 11.30am". Sue Ellen was surprised, for once, her mother going behind her back did actually not upset her, this could turn out to be a good thing. "Fine mama, thank you" they said the goodbyes and Sue Ellen was relieved, it wasn't a bad conversation after all.

Dallas, Texas

"Very fine choice Mr Ewing" JR listened to the jeweller, but still wasn't sure about his choice, he wanted something bigger, more expensive, something that was more possessive and would ward off any potential suitors. He was planning on asking Sue Ellen to marry him, he wasn't sure when or where, but a ring seemed like the first thing to have, making it more real. He knew that he wanted to ask her sometime soon, but not too soon, he really didn't want to rush into anything; the pressure of their families was beginning to get to him but he was fairly sure he could at least wait until July, their one year anniversary, that would be sentimental and appropriate timing. "Can I put this one on hold? I'll think about it and get back to you in the morning" he had to make sure that his choice was right, in both jewellery and lifelong commitment, he needed to sleep on it and return with a clear mind, no good long-term choice was ever made in haste.

To be continued…