Austin, Texas
It had been over three weeks and neither had called to apologise, they were both too stubborn to see the other's viewpoint. Sue Ellen thought her mother's plan worked, say nothing and act like it never happened and people will forget about it; and they did, no further articles had come of it and she was able to brush off the few people that did still ask her. It helped that Paula had announced her marriage and convinced everyone that she must have conceived on her wedding night. College girls were naïve in some respects, they couldn't tell the difference between a small fourteen week bump and a four week barely there bump, especially when wearing A-line dresses. Little did Sue Ellen know, the lack of negative press coverage was down to JR using his Ewing influence and questionable business ethics. Just because she had told him no did not mean that he would listen to her; he went ahead with his plan anyway, under the radar of course; striking a deal with the newspaper, no lawsuit as long as they dealt with the staff members the way he instructed. Friday was Sue Ellen's twenty first birthday and she didn't have many expectations; she was just planning on having dinner and drinks with a few of the other girls who were already twenty one. Though everyone at college already drank at parties, she didn't want a big party right now, she didn't feel right celebrating while part of her life was in turmoil.
Dallas, Texas
"Her schedule is fairly routine every week; college classes, photo sessions, cheerleading, sorority and fraternity mixers, spending time at her mother's house and occasionally meeting with the representatives for the Miss Texas pageant. Are you sure you want me to keep following Miss Shepard?" JR looked through the folder as the man spoke, just because he and Sue Ellen weren't talking, didn't mean he wasn't still interested in her activities. "Yes, keep following her until I tell you to stop. That will be all for today" he stood and showed the man out of his office. JR was stubborn, he was not going to apologise for something that he was ultimately right about; his way had fixed things, she was no longer in a precarious position thanks to him. If anyone was going to make the first move, it would have to be her.
As he undressed and changed clothes, JR opened the drawer where he kept his cufflinks and watch; a small box sat in the back of the drawer, out of sight but not out of mind. JR was reminded of the contents of the box every time he opened the drawer; originally planning to give it to Sue Ellen on her birthday, the plan had changed since he bought it. He was conflicted, her birthday was later in the week and he didn't want her to be upset in thinking that he didn't love her anymore, that's what the whole fight was about, how much he loved her and the lengths he would go to to make sure she didn't suffer. But he was also bull-headed and determined to not apologise for something that he didn't see as wrong. Maybe he should just send a token gift, something to show that he still cared, but not too showy, he didn't want it to be misinterpreted.
Austin, Texas
"Sue Ellen, I've been thinking", Sue Ellen sighed, she could almost guess what her mother was going to say next, "now, I don't know what is going on with you and JR, but it doesn't seem like you'll be getting a ring anytime soon. I hate to see my eldest daughter spend her twenty first birthday without a date, so Billy Frampton has kindly agreed to take you out on Friday night", Sue Ellen was annoyed, her mother was always interfering in her life. "Mama, did you not listen when I told you that I already have plans for Friday night? I'm going out with my friends", Patricia sighed, the kind of place she would be going was not at all suitable for a young lady like her daughter, "are you sure that dinner at a nice restaurant doesn't sound more fun? You can order a bottle of red wine; much classier than going to a dance club". Sue Ellen decided to play her mother's game, "you're right mama, I'll talk to Billy, maybe we could do both, he could chaperone me, make sure that I don't disgrace the Shepard name" she had started agreeable but ended up bitter; she hated people telling her what to do when she'd already made up her mind. "Oh Sue Ellen, you're just being silly now, he'll escort you, not chaperone you. Now, why don't you go and pick out a nice dress, something appropriate" she smiled though she was hostile and Sue Ellen knew better than to start a full argument now.
Dallas, Texas
"JR? Is Sue Ellen busy again this weekend?" Miss Ellie was suspicious, her son had covered their problems with the excuse that Sue Ellen had a full schedule, but she knew it had to be some kind of a fight or disagreement, Sue Ellen had to at eat and JR hadn't made one trip down to Austin for weeks, not even for a midweek dinner. "Yes mama" he didn't make eye contact, knowing that he was lying to his mother and not wanting to answer any questions about why he wasn't with her. "When does the semester end? I'd love for her to start coming back to Southfork more regularly when she's finished with college, I'd gotten used to her company", JR felt guilty as he listened to his mother speak, at this rate, Sue Ellen wouldn't even be back by the time the semester ended. "May seventeenth is her final exam, but mama, she's a busy lady, you know, preparing for the Miss America pageant and modelling for that magazine that Lucy likes. She may not be able to just drop everything and come out to Southfork because you miss her" he was unintentionally short with his mother; this subject wasn't something he wanted to talk about. "I'm sorry mama, I'm busy, she's busy, we're both just having scheduling problems. I'll be sure to send your regards next time I speak with her. I have to go to work now, but I'll see you later" he stood and left the table quickly. Miss Ellie wasn't sure what was really going on, but it wasn't something that JR was willing to discuss.
It was Friday morning and JR still hadn't received any sort of apology or request for forgiveness from Sue Ellen; it was almost as if she still believed that she was right in the argument. It hadn't occurred to him that she had no idea of his involvement in her fate, she didn't just get lucky, he made her lucky; but she had no way of knowing that, JR had acted discreetly. He had made a small gesture, but not enough for him to look weak, the one thing he was afraid of. Being the polite lady she was, she'd at least call and thank him, then he'd be able to talk her into apologising and admitting that she was wrong. He didn't even know why they were still arguing, the fight had been so small and was now pretty insignificant, but they were similar people, neither one liked to admit defeat, especially when they weren't wrong.
Austin, Texas
Sue Ellen received a few small gifts from her sorority sisters, gift giving wasn't something they usually participated in, given the amount of girls in the house, nearly every week there would be a birthday, it would be asking too much for everyone to give gifts for every birthday. Parties were more their style, it was collective and individual at the same time. There was a knock at the door of the sorority house and one of the girls signed for the delivery, a bouquet of yellow roses and a small gift-wrapped box. Sue Ellen was surprised when she saw the flowers, she hadn't expected JR to remember or acknowledge her birthday. There was no card with the flowers, but she knew they were from JR, yellow roses was their thing. She opened the box that was with the flowers, inside was a rose gold necklace in the shape of a flower, it was symbolic more than anything and it achieved its purpose. Sue Ellen smiled at the gesture; she'd have to call and thank him, she was beginning to soften toward him, no longer upset that he had tried to take control of her situation, he was only doing what he thought would be best.
Sue Ellen walked downstairs to use the telephone in the common room, "Good morning, Ewing Oil, how may I direct your call today?" Sue Ellen asked for JR Ewing but was informed that there was a problem at one of the oil fields and both Jock and JR Ewing were unavailable right now. Sue Ellen decided not to leave a message, she could always call back later; she would make the first move, she hated not speaking like they had been the past few weeks, she was ready to at least try to see things his way.
To be continued…