Dallas, Texas

Lying in her bed in the guest room, Sue Ellen found herself analysing and questioning the state of her marriage and JR's attitude toward everything, and the more she thought about it, the more confused she got. He was up and down and she didn't understand it. It made sense that he was making an effort to show that he could be a good husband and father, because she was still upset with him and it really was the least he could do. What didn't make much sense though was his oddly distant attitude when they were alone as husband and wife, his quietness and lack of argument or deep answers in their marriage counselling sessions and the argument she had overheard between he and Jock earlier in the evening. It wasn't at all strange for JR and Jock to get together and discuss business after dinner, however, it did strike her as odd that her name was mentioned as she walked past the office door and that both JR and Jock were speaking in harsh tones, as if they were in a heated debate. She knew that Jock wasn't happy about their physical separation as husband and wife, he made that perfectly clear to both of them, dropping it into conversation wherever it would fit, however, she really didn't understand what extra things he could have to say to JR, especially now. She and JR had been separated for weeks and in that time, not that much had changed, at least not publicly; yes, they had started marriage counselling and JR's moods had been a little odd, however, those things were more private than public and she didn't believe JR was giving anyone enough details to justify an argument like she'd overheard.

It was all very confusing and she didn't understand it; something inside JR had changed, but she didn't know what it was or why it had happened; he was definitely acting differently though and she couldn't help but feel both worried and annoyed by that change. All she truly wanted was to be a happy woman, wife and mother, but having such a hard marriage made it difficult for her to enjoy her life as an individual and as a wife, though as a mother, she couldn't have been happier, she truly did love motherhood and seeing JR as a father was equally delightful. Simply being a good father wasn't enough though and it certainly didn't provide her with any of the answers she was currently looking for. What had caused JR to become distant lately? What were he and Jock arguing about and how did it relate to her? Why did he seem to be so docile in their marriage counselling sessions? Especially when he'd originally been so uncomfortable with the idea of a stranger hearing his secrets and making comments about his life in order to make them think and reconsider things. It was so unlike JR to just sit back and allow Doctor Williams to make comments and direct the conversation without argument or question. Something was wrong, she knew it, but what that something was, she had no idea, and that irritated and concerned her.

Sitting up as a horrible thought hit her, she quickly reached over to her nightstand, turned on her lamp and then grabbed her robe, putting it on and tying it as she got out of bed. Opening the door, she strode out of the guest room, across the hallway and not stopping to knock, she opened the door to their bedroom and entered; she had a purpose and there was no time or need for politeness. "Is it happening again? Are you cheating on me? Is that why you and your daddy were arguing? Does he know?" surprising JR as he buttoned his pajamas for bed, she closed the door behind her and moved further into the room, closer to him. "You're hiding something and I want to know what it is. Now".

Slightly flustered by her presence, her anger and her physical appearance, a sight he'd sorely missed seeing during the past few weeks, JR was silent for a moment as he processed her words and then when he did comprehend her questions, he was lost for an answer. No, he wasn't cheating on her and no, that's not what he and his father had been arguing about, not really, however, he couldn't deny that he was hiding something, but he also couldn't just admit it, it wasn't the right time, or was it? Taking a deep breath and walking over to her, he looked her in the eye and spoke, "no, I am not cheating on you and I have not been unfaithful in any way since the last time we had and then resolved this argument. I promise, that is the truth; I love you and I do not intend to make a mistake like that again. As for my conversation with daddy, I don't know what you heard, but I'm sorry you had to hear any of it. Daddy and I are currently in a disagreement about a few things, and I won't lie and say that none of them concern you or my fidelity, because they do, however, none of the things he was voicing his concern about are actually real issues…" Pausing for a moment as he considered how deeply he needed to explain the discussion, especially since he didn't know how much or what exactly she had heard, he found Doctor Williams' words echoing though his mind and he knew that he had to be completely honest with her, no matter how humiliating or angering it was. Being honest was the right thing to do, and from the glare Sue Ellen was giving him, honesty was also the only answer she was going to accept. "Hm, well, I'm pleased to hear that, but you didn't answer my question, so please, finish speaking. What were you and your daddy arguing about? What is your daddy concerned about that's supposedly not an issue? And what are you hiding from me? Because I get the feeling that your daddy's concerns are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to information I'm being kept in the dark about, and that's not good enough. I want to know JR, and I want to know now".

To be continued…