Midland, Texas
"Pleasure doing business with you boys", JR nodded and shook hands with each of the men, his little trip had been a success and he'd managed to make agreements with all of the companies involved. Ewing Oil would have a busy few weeks coming up with contract negations and he had guaranteed them business for at least the next two years. "Pleasure doing business with Ewing Oil, your daddy taught you well junior. Say hi to him for me and tell him I'll be seeing him real soon", Mr Williams, a refinery owner, slapped him on the back and shook his hand again; he was very pleased with their agreement; Mr Williams was the oldest of the men and he knew Jock well, but he liked how JR did business. JR went all out to wine, dine and especially entertain potential business partners and he was a no-nonsense negotiator; his company would have signed contracts with Ewing Oil anyway, but he held out, he liked JR's style and he knew that JR wouldn't disappoint in his 'persuasive techniques'. The rest of the men followed suit and left; JR grinned to himself, once again he had proven himself as completely capable, he would make his father proud when he returned home. He took a limousine to the airport and boarded the Ewing jet back to Dallas, finally able to enjoy a moment alone to bask in his success. He looked out the window as he congratulated himself and he grinned as he remembered the way he had celebrated at the end of the night; he didn't feel guilty, he felt relaxed and rejuvenated, it was good for him and his marriage, or so he reasoned. Sue Ellen never had to know, and she never had to experience the side of him that was demanding and domineering; he tried to be gentle, kind and romantic with her, but that behaviour wasn't what came naturally to him all the time and he didn't like treating her any other way. He reasoned that he could preserve her fragile being and true ladylike nature if he occasionally used other women to release his darker desires on; it was ok for him to act on those desires, but as a man, not as a husband.
Dallas, Texas
"JR should be home this morning", Jock casually commented to the family over breakfast, in his mind he was just concerned about the business deals that he would be bringing home with him, he didn't even notice the look that crossed Sue Ellen's face, first joy and then confusion. JR hadn't called her once since he'd been away and she didn't know what was wrong, he was busy, but there had to be time when he could spare a few minutes to call and say hello, it wasn't like she needed a long conversation, just something to show that he cared. "Good, and Bobby's coming home for the weekend in a few days, we'll have a nice big family dinner", Miss Ellie optimistically continued the conversation; the mention of big family dinners triggered the question in Jock's mind again, "speaking of family dinners, Sue Ellen, any news you'd like to share with us?" Sue Ellen blushed as he asked the question again, "no sir, not yet anyway", she didn't want to go into a whole conversation; although they were only talking about the future heir as a concept, she felt like everyone was picturing the actual process that went into making an heir, it was embarrassing now that it was real. "Oh, well, you two have only been married for a couple of months I suppose there's still plenty of time for that, I don't doubt you're having fun practicing", he grinned as he stood from the table and excused himself to leave for work and Sue Ellen was thankful when he didn't take the conversation any further. She would love to have a child, but she didn't enjoy constantly talking about it, especially not with her father-in-law, he was quite demanding and she felt like it was a constant pressured waiting game whenever he asked the question, he wanted a grandson and he would keep asking until he got one. It didn't help when he made small references to the act, she was still quite shy about their married status and it felt strange to know that everyone knew she wasn't the pure, innocent virgin anymore. Those qualities and characteristics had been part of her identity for so long and she was still getting used to the idea that no one assumed it of her anymore; it sometimes shocked her that people would make it known that opposite was now true. They didn't necessarily mean to embarrass her, but her mother had raised her to be closed about anything intimate and she wasn't used to people acting so freely, she was beginning to realise that the sexual revolution was a very real thing and not everyone felt the same way she did.
Miss Ellie went to lunch with Mavis and Lucy went to school, but Sue Ellen elected to stay home for the day, she didn't really have any friends in Dallas, and she was hoping that JR would come home to Southfork when his flight landed, not straight to the office. She lay by the pool sunbathing and soon fell asleep, not even rousing when a car parked in the driveway and the driver approached her. JR watched his sleeping wife as she lay outside in the sun, she was so young and beautiful, he felt things for her that he had never felt for anyone else, and seeing her like that just confirmed his previous justifications for his actions. To be a good husband, he needed to treat her like the lady she was, he couldn't cheapen her with his dirty habits, he really was just doing what was best for them, she would never find out and they would both be happy. He sat down next to her and watched her sleeping, time apart had been good for them, he had gotten everything out of his system and he felt good about their marriage; it wasn't as confining and limited as he'd been worried about. She stirred as a hand brushed over her face, gently moving her hair out of her eyes, "JR" she whispered sleepily, still not fully awake or comprehending that he was home; "good morning" he smiled down at her and she smiled back, quickly forgetting that she was upset with him for not calling. "How was your trip?" she sat up and listened as he told her about his successes, it was obvious how pleased he was and she was happy to listen, she only wanted the best for her husband and it gave her great joy to see him so excited.
JR entered the Ewing Oil offices and greeted the secretaries before walking to his father's office; Jock already knew about his successes, but they still had to go over the paperwork and have their customary celebratory drinks. This was a big deal, they'd secured consistent business for at least the next two years and their company would grow substantially with the new dealings; the family business was quickly becoming exactly what he'd always dreamed it would be. Jock was pleased about the timing of everything; JR was married and it wouldn't be long before he had a son and heir; and Bobby was graduating from college next month and would be coming to work for Ewing Oil; together, the three Ewing men would make Ewing Oil great. Jock's intercom buzzed and Julie informed him that JR had arrived and was coming to see him, he stood and poured two drinks, ready to start the afternoon the right way.
To be continued…