Dallas, Texas

"Sue Ellen? What are your thoughts on all of this?" considering Doctor Williams' question, Sue Ellen stayed silent for a moment before answering, speaking in a confident voice as she did. "I feel good about it. I'm happy to see JR happy at work and I'm pleased that he realises how our home life benefits from the role he has now and how it would suffer if he were to try to absorb Bobby's tasks. Regarding the actual business decisions, to be quite honest I don't have too many strong thoughts or feelings there; as long as JR isn't the one travelling often and living a lifestyle that's unsuitable for his life now, and as long as he's happy to live that way, I'm happy. Somebody has to do the job, but I don't really care who that actually is, and my opinion on that topic really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things either. I have nothing to do with Ewing Oil in any aspect other than being a Ewing, a Ewing married to the vice president and future president; I'm not qualified to make business decisions or judgements. I do sympathise with JR though, neither Jock nor Bobby gave him forewarning about Bobby's resignation, so he is having to move quickly to find a replacement, and I know how difficult it can be to talk with Jock, especially when you disagree with him. As I said before, I can't make business decisions, I'm not qualified to do that and I don't think anyone really wants me to do that, but I do care about JR and I'm here to support him throughout this period of uncertainty. From what he tells me, hiring new staff isn't easy or particularly enjoyable, so I suppose I'll be glad when it's all over, not for my sake, but for his". Answering Doctor Williams specifically, because he had asked her a direct question and it seemed only natural to answer him, she then remembered what he had said many times in the past and turned toward JR to tell him personally how she felt.

"I mean it, I'm happy when you're happy and I know that the thought of one day having the company to yourself is what makes you happy, and every little step you take closer to that eventual outcome is a step closer to a new level of happiness for you. You are in a challenging time at work right now, but as you have told me many times before, it's not forever, and you're JR Ewing, you can do anything. I love your attitude toward life…" not quite going as far as to verbally tell him how attractive she found him when he took charge of things and did exactly as he said he would, she hoped he knew, but if he didn't, he would later, when they were alone. "I am also very secure in the knowledge that you love me and John Ross and you love our home life, so secure that I don't think your business aspirations are a threat to our happiness, as long as you maintain a balance of course. I think we're well past the point where things were too far one way or the other though; I'm proud of you and I'm here to support you". She genuinely believed they had come a long way and it would take more than a little bit of work stress to cause issues in their relationship again and she hoped JR felt the same way.

"I know darlin', I'm happy, you're happy, we're happy, and everything is going to be just fine. You're right, it isn't enjoyable to have to scramble and organize things in a hurry because my little brother just couldn't wait to get away from Ewing Oil, but it's not worth worrying about and it's certainly not worth allowing to affect our personal lives. I take this opportunity to thank you for your support though; from the very beginning of our relationship you have always been my biggest supporter and that means a lot to me; it's nice to have someone who is on my side and it's nice to have someone in my life who will just listen to me". Briefly changing the direction he was looking in, he turned toward Doctor Williams and finished speaking, "believe it or not doc, before Sue Ellen I didn't really have a whole lot of people to talk to". Going quiet as he immediately regretted verbalising his last thought, he then cleared his throat and looked at his wife again, "anyway, uh, thank you, and please, don't even bother starting to worry about me. I have everything figured out and with the amount of work daddy and I are doing to get everything set for when Bobby leaves, this will all be over soon enough, then we can get back to having normal conversations about my day again, you know, the ones where I proudly tell you about how I'm singlehandedly running the company". Quickly eliminating any vulnerability from his tone, he grinned as he jokingly talked himself up; Sue Ellen knew how deeply he felt about certain things, and he loved that she empathised with him, but there was no reason for her to worry, and he had no desire to start dissecting his feelings with Doctor Williams.

Listening to and observing the conversation between husband and wife, Doctor Williams jotted down a few thoughts, nodded and made a few sounds to indicate he had heard the comments directed toward him. It didn't surprise him one bit that prior to Sue Ellen, JR hadn't had many people in his life he could talk to; he was close but distant with his family, he'd never been in a serious relationship, and he seemed to lack real friends, people he spent time with simply because he enjoyed their company. It also didn't surprise him that JR had only shown a deeper side of his vulnerability for a brief moment before covering it up again. JR Ewing was a strong man, there was no doubt about that, but he wasn't made of stone, he had emotions and insecurities just like everyone else, he just didn't seem to enjoy letting anyone but Sue Ellen and his son see that part of him. Regarding the majority of the conversation between JR and Sue Ellen though, he was pleased with the progress that they had made. He was sure they were just verbally reiterating things now, things each of them already knew and had heard from the other, but it pleased him that they were becoming increasingly more comfortable just talking, without having to think too much about how to phrase their feelings.

A few minutes later, after congratulating them on their increased communication and strengthened emotional connection, Doctor Williams briefly scanned his notes to check they had covered most of what he had planned to before he began to bring their appointment to a close in the way he liked to when meetings ended on a positive note. "I think we're making a lot of progress here, you're clearly communicating with each other and that communication isn't just on the surface, there is a deeper understanding of each other's motivations and reasons for requests. With that in mind, before our next appointment, I want you to both consider how you can begin to use the skills you have developed with each other to communicate your feelings more clearly toward other people. Sue Ellen, I want you to think about actually verbalising your disapproval to your father-in-law the next time he says something you don't agree with. I don't mean be rude, just firm, so he remembers what you've already told him. JR, I want you to do the same, but I also want you to think about what you were saying earlier about not having too many people you can talk with. As wonderful as it is that you have Sue Ellen, I do believe it would be beneficial for you to have a peer to speak with, someone you consider a friend, or even just an acquaintance, but a personal acquaintance, not a business one. That person could even be your brother, or not; just someone, anyone, I think having a friend would be something positive for you. As a couple, I can only encourage you to keep doing as you are; I think you're on the right path now. With that in mind, I wish you all the best on your upcoming anniversary trip; take the time to enjoy yourselves and each other".

When they ended their meetings in a positive manner, he liked to set his patients a challenge or give them something to think about before their next appointment, it was intended to help them stay focused on their progress during the time between appointments and at any point where they started to doubt themselves. The Ewings had come a long way from where they'd been when he'd first met them, and he had a feeling that if they chose to stop seeing him now, they would remain a strong couple, but in his professional opinion, they still had a bit further to go before they were well-rounded individuals as well as an unbreakable couple. He was there to help them for as long as they wanted his help and as long as he continued to see areas where he could assist them.

To be continued…