Dallas, Texas

"Yes, I think I understand your predicament. Being a good person isn't always the easiest thing to do, especially when it feels like everyone is against you, so I want you to allow yourself to feel proud of the fact that you are trying and do believe you've made some progress, because change does take a lot of personal commitment and hard work". Understanding enough from what JR did say, although he hadn't specifically detailed what his 'contractual obligations' were, Doctor Williams nodded and then made a move to reassure JR that his concerns were valid; it was quite obvious from his helplessness that he was actually upset, not just acting that way to manipulate a certain outcome. He didn't personally agree with the situation JR was alluding to, but he understood it and was capable of remaining in a neutral position in order to help him work through his feelings. As far as he could tell, the agreement JR spoke of consisted of some sort of contract specifying that in exchange for his fidelity and good behaviour, he would receive a reward from his father, and if his assumptions were correct, that reward probably had a lot to do with Ewing Oil, the Ewing men's biggest strength and weakness.

"Well, that's all very nice to say, but it doesn't help me very much. Pride in my hard work is pointless when that hard work is brushed over in favour of old opinions". Even though he was looking for support, JR found himself annoyed by Doctor Williams' positive response; nice words didn't mean anything when there was no reality to match them. It was simple, his father didn't trust him and if he didn't trust him, then there was no way he was going to reverse the contract, and if the contract wasn't changed, then how was he supposed to prove himself to anyone? In the back of his mind, he was also a little concerned that perhaps the contract had had more of an effect on his behaviour than he wanted to give it credit for. In thinking that, he knew that to prove to himself and to everyone else that he really was a changed man, a good man, he needed to be able to act on his own, without promise of reward or consequences for his actions. His motivations for being a good husband needed to be pure, they needed to be because he loved his wife and wanted the best life for them, not because he was being promised big things for his future at Ewing Oil.

"Mhm, that's somewhat true, however, I believe you'd benefit from a more positive attitude toward yourself and other people; thinking so negatively isn't helping your situation right now. In addition to that, I also believe you'd benefit from taking a step back and viewing things from another perspective, because sometimes it pays to see things the way other people do. Yes, you know that what you did was wrong, however, I don't get the feeling that your father tricked you into anything and I don't get the feeling that his actions now are necessarily exactly as you're perceiving them. Have you ever considered his viewpoint? Perhaps he's tired of hearing broken promises, much like Sue Ellen has indicated that she is. Perhaps instead of just telling your father that your actions are motivated by only the best thoughts, perhaps you need to show him, really show him. You said it yourself, your marital situation with Sue Ellen right now is hardly indicative of a loving and faithful husband, so perhaps that's part of the reason why he's so leery about renegotiating whatever this contract says, perhaps he doesn't trust that now is a good time for you to be free of contractual consequences. Now, I know that you and Sue Ellen worked through the major issues that first separated your marriage, however, the latest situation has definitely been a reminder of that situation for Sue Ellen and if I'm guessing correctly, probably your father too. Do you see now why perhaps he doesn't believe you? Instead of simply telling everyone how much you've changed, you need to consistently show it; but by trying to make that point right now, with everything else so fresh in everyone's memory, your words are much less convincing. Now, I know that that probably doesn't help anything, because I do believe that you have been and are still trying to make things work, your participation in these sessions is evidence of that, as well as the fact that you actually appear to have had an honest conversation with your father, that's progress too. However, despite your present efforts, everything is still very recent and memorable, so it's not that farfetched to assume that other people are cautious about your behaviour and words", pausing as he waited for JR to think about what he was saying, Doctor Williams considered his next move; was it wise to challenge JR right now?

Grumbling at the way Doctor Williams flipped the situation on him, asking him to consider his actions as they appeared to everyone else, JR mumbled a few words and then sat silently, thinking. "So what am I supposed to do now? I've told you, I'm making an effort, an honest effort, but if I'm already doing all I can, how am I supposed to improve on that and show that my attitude and actions are real?" genuinely confused by what Doctor Williams thought he could do to make any difference, JR looked at him quizzically as he spoke. Staying quiet as JR spoke and then waited for him to respond, Doctor Williams evaluated the situation and decided to just say what he was thinking, "well, have you ever considered informing Sue Ellen of the details you're currently hiding from her? I don't believe you really need me to tell you this, because you're a smart man and deep down, you probably already know that it's the right thing to do, but I'll say it anyway. You cannot honestly participate in marriage counselling with your wife if you are withholding information that hugely influences the way you act, even if you don't believe it does. I know for a fact that Sue Ellen will be upset by this news, but I have a feeling that she'd much rather hear it from you now, as you're trying to rectify the situation, rather than days, weeks, months or years down the line when by some accident, it all comes out. Take the recent situation with Miss Moore and her child, yes, it was highly upsetting information for Sue Ellen to hear, but half of the reason why she was and still is upset about that information is related to the way it all came out. Lying, omitting information and bending the truth, those things never work out the way they're planned and they always end with someone getting hurt. Honesty really is the best policy, especially in marriage. If you want to rebuild trust with your wife, then you need to be honest, about everything. Sue Ellen has told you very clearly that in time, she can forgive mistakes, but lying is not something she wants to or should have to deal with and it's not something that's easy to forgive. To answer your question though, I cannot make you do anything, but I do highly recommend that you look at the situation holistically and try to see things from other people's perspectives. I have a feeling that your father will take your word more seriously if you're completely honest with your wife and even in the anger that's sure to follow this revelation, you continue to be a good husband, and as for Sue Ellen, as I said, she'll be angry, however, I do believe that she'll appreciate the honesty. Again though, I cannot make you do anything, but as you asked for my opinion, that's what I believe you should do", watching JR intently as he finished speaking, Doctor Williams was pleased by the contemplative and slightly worried look on JR's face; hopefully he was actually considering honesty as a plan.

"Do you really think that would work? What if she leaves me? She's done it before and it took everything to get her back, plus, it really damaged my relationship with daddy. What if I tell her and she gets so upset that she leaves Southfork, takes John Ross with her and then files for divorce? Then I'll have no wife, no son, no company and my family will all hate me". Having listened to Doctor Williams' words and thought about the situation he was describing, JR found himself feeling vulnerable and sad, he'd messed up, badly, and no amount of cockiness, self-confidence or force could guarantee that everything would work out in the end; this truly was a situation where he couldn't control anyone but himself and he hated it. "As I said, she's going to be hurt and angry, whatever way you try to spin the situation, because if you don't tell her, she will find out, you and I both know it. So, in knowing that she's going to one day be privy to that information, I honestly believe that you can mitigate the severity of the consequences by being as open and honest as possible in your explanation now; no more hiding things. In addition to that, you need to keep doing exactly as you have been doing, you need to remain the loving and faithful husband you want to be and have been; how you respond to her inevitable hurt and anger will also determine the outcome of the situation. What I mean by that is do not even think of using her reaction as an excuse to justify your own bad behaviour; she has reason to be upset, you need to understand and adapt your behaviour to that. She may leave and she may take John Ross, but that's not something you get to decide for her, and think about it, the chance of that happening only increases the longer you keep this a secret. It's going to hurt, but you have the ability to lessen the extent of the consequences. To answer your question in short though, do I think that telling Sue Ellen about all of this will help the situation? Yes, in the long run, I believe it can, as long as you're honest, apologetic, take the consequences as they are dealt to you and show that you really are committed to this new life. Does that make any sense?"

"Sure, it makes sense. I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't. Right?" looking straight at Doctor Williams, JR shook his head and then sighed, he really was in a precarious position and he honestly wasn't sure how he was going to get out of it.

To be continued…