Dallas, Texas

"Hm", clearing her throat, Sue Ellen looked at her husband and then at her father-in-law and spoke, "JR, John Ross is getting tired, I think we'd better get going". Lunch had been normal and undramatic, and coffee in the living room afterwards had been pleasant and a nice opportunity to catch up, even though they had only been gone for a day and there wasn't really much to catch up on; what had triggered her to speak up now though was Jock's subtle, but obvious, wish for more. If she and JR wanted the boundaries they had agreed upon to actually become a reality, then they had to actually stick to them, and that meant saying 'no' when they were thinking 'no'. From the way Jock spoke about the stock market, it was clear that there were a number of things he, JR and Bobby had to discuss and decide to ensure Ewing Oil was not too negatively impacted; however, from years of living with Jock, she could also tell that the sense of urgency in his voice was exaggerated. JR worked hard for Ewing Oil and if there was a true need for him to remain at Southfork for an impromptu business meeting, then he would, however, there was nothing pressing happening at the moment and any problems or concerns Jock had could wait until Monday.

"Oh Sue Ellen, don't worry about John Ross, I'll take him upstairs and he can take his nap here. His nursery is still functional, even if it is a little bare now"; not quite understanding that Sue Ellen was being truthful, but was also using John Ross as an excuse to leave, Miss Ellie spoke as she walked toward her daughter-in-law and waited for her to hand over her grandson. Unfortunately, things weren't that easy and she was going to have to do as she had told Lucy to do, wait and give Sue Ellen a little time and space to adjust before attempting to reinsert herself into her and John Ross' lives. "Oh Miss Ellie, that's very kind, but I really think it would be better for him to take his nap in his new nursery, so he can get used to all the changes. He slept wonderfully last night, but I don't know if that was just because he was tired from all the activity yesterday or whether it was because he's adaptable and the new environment didn't bother him. I think a little consistency, just for the next few days, is probably what he needs. You do understand don't you?" Truthfully, she did understand, because Sue Ellen had a point; children needed some consistency and routine and while John Ross had that at Southfork, the fact was, Southfork wasn't his home anymore and it was best for everyone if they gave him a few days to adjust before possibly confusing him with a nap at Southfork. That being said though, she was a little hurt by Sue Ellen's response, because as much as she knew it wasn't meant in a mean or hostile way, the change from having her son, daughter-in-law and grandson around all the time to hardly at all, was difficult to get used to. She knew she was probably being dramatic though, because it had only been a day, so of course things were still new and a little difficult for everyone.

Unfortunately, although things were difficult and a little confusing for everyone, not everyone responded in the same way to the same situation, and while Miss Ellie's suggestion that John Ross sleep in his old nursery was offered out of kindness, Jock's agreement and concurring statement was more to do with authority and setting the tone than being benevolent. Hearing the discussion occurring between his wife and daughter-in-law, Jock turned his attention away from JR for a moment to respond. "Don't you think you're being a bit dramatic? The boy is a baby, he will sleep just about anywhere if he is tired, and he will adapt to any situation if he has to. All of this overprotective coddling will do more harm than good in the end; believe me. Remember, he came into our lives, not the other way around. That doesn't mean we love him any less, but it does mean he is subject to the norms and boundaries that were already in place before his birth, he's not supposed to set the boundaries. Run along upstairs, lay him down and if he's as tired as you think he is, then the location he sleeps in won't have any impact on his nap". He had observed enough of his daughter-in-law's cosseting behaviour to form an opinion and he had no problem making his opinion known. While he definitely wanted to give John Ross the world, because he was his first-born grandson, he was the Ewing heir, and he was a very sweet, adorable little boy, he also had an old-fashioned, experienced parent perspective on the situation. He had spoilt Bobby and he had turned into a fine young man, but his wife had spoilt Gary and he had turned into an uncommitted, cowardly, immature boy; things really could turn out either way, and to prevent things from going bad, one needed to ensure that with reward came expectation too. A lot of his thoughts and opinions were more suitable for a child or teenager, but he knew that before a person became a well-behaved, respectful child and a manageable, courteous teenager, they needed to learn how to be those things. A parent needed to be loving, there was no doubt about that, and there was no real problem with a parent giving their child everything either, but a child was just that, a child, ultimately they were not the one in control and to learn the boundaries and norms of life, there had to be some rules and guidance. Sue Ellen bending over backwards to make sure John Ross never felt any discomfort and always had everything he needed and wanted, exactly when he needed and wanted it didn't do too much when it came to building resilience, patience, adaptability or empathy. There was no reason why his parents, the adults, needed to drop everything they were doing and head home just so he could nap in what would arguably be a less comforting space. Jock saw no problem pointing out what seemed obvious to him, he was used to speaking his mind, especially since he had set the tone long ago; when he spoke, people listened and followed.

Unfortunately for Jock, Sue Ellen was not interested in following his opinion just because he voiced it. Shooting a glare at her father-in-law, she then looked at JR, raised an eyebrow as if to invite him to interject to tell his daddy off, and then looked back at Jock, "thank you for sharing your opinion. I hope you'll understand though when I say, I don't want to hear it, or at least, I don't want to hear it in the way it sounds right now. I don't want to get in an argument with you, not here and not now, but I would like to remind you of the discussion you had with me and JR months ago. We said and you agreed that John Ross is our son, we are his parents and we will make decisions about what is best for him as a person while he's young, and then we'll guide him as he gets older to make the best decisions for his personal development and his future. I don't mean to be dramatic and I certainly don't mean to harm him, but it is my belief that he needs to get used to his new home before we start trying to split his time between our home and Southfork. I don't appreciate the inference that we'll somehow ruin him by wanting him to be comfortable, I think most people could benefit from a little more comfort". Not wanting to get into a discussion about how JR could have used a little more love and attention as a child, and not wanting John Ross to fuss any more than he already was, she then looked at JR again before directing her attention back to Jock and also Miss Ellie, though Bobby interrupted before she could say anything.

"Now Sue Ellen, I don't think daddy meant any harm", not having heard Sue Ellen's serious, annoyed tone many times before, Bobby was shocked, and while he could see both sides of the 'argument', he somehow felt the need to defend his father. From the look Sue Ellen gave him as he spoke though, he knew he had probably overstepped a boundary; this wasn't his fight to fight. "Please Bobby, stay out of it", hearing his sister-in-law's tone of voice, he knew to do as she said. She wasn't being rude, but her patience and tolerance for the conversation that had ensued following a simple statement of intention, was beginning to run out.

Observing the whole situation unfolding, JR was shocked at how quickly things turned from a slight disagreement into a discussion about parenting and all the ways they were doing it wrong. Shaking his head, he looked at his father, "daddy, John Ross needs a nap and Sue Ellen and I would prefer if he had it in his new room for consistency sake. It's not about spoiling him or allowing him to control our lives, it's about making everyone's lives easier in the long run. Please respect the decisions Sue Ellen and I are making, even if they aren't the ones you personally would make, and if you really want to discuss it, can we do it in private?" Indicating that he was in no mood to continue a conversation about his and Sue Ellen's parenting decisions at the moment, especially not in front of the family, he then paused before changing topic. "Now, our meeting can wait until tomorrow morning can't it? I promise, I'll be there right on time, just as I always am". Turning his attention to his mother after he finished addressing his father, he knew it was definitely time for them to leave, because although he got the feeling Sue Ellen had exaggerated John Ross' tiredness just a tad earlier, he could tell now that the tension in the room was upsetting him. Even if he wasn't ready for his nap just yet, he was definitely ready to leave, as was Sue Ellen. "Mama, thank you for lunch and for your kind offer. Really, thank you, we appreciate it; we just have to do some things ourselves before we open ourselves up to taking suggestions from everyone else though. I hope you understand", looking at his mother sincerely as he spoke, he was relieved when she nodded and gave him a small smile. All was not well just yet, but he had hope that at some point, it would be. For now though, he had to focus on the present, which unfortunately for him, probably meant an annoyed wife, a fussy son and an angry father. He wasn't incapable, unloving or illogical though, he would be able to find a solution to all of his current problems, it would just take a little time, love and attention.

To be continued…