Dallas, Texas

"How do I feel about it?" repeating her daughter-in-law's question as they sat together for tea and a chat after lunch, Miss Ellie took a few seconds to consider it before answering. "I'll be honest; I'm not completely sold either way. I think Jack's a nice boy, perhaps a little eager to get away from whatever it is he's running from back home, and a little too eager too to find his place in our family, but I don't think he has ill intentions here in Dallas. I see where JR is coming from though, it's hard not to, he made it very clear during our session with Doctor Williams that he's not pleased Jack's decided to make Dallas his new home, partly because he doesn't like him, but I think it has more to do with his relationship with Jock. He related his feelings to Jock's relationship with John Ross and how that's now been put on hold because he's distracted with Jack, but he also related it to his feelings to how Jock treats him in comparison to Bobby".

"It's quite clear JR's afraid everything he told Jock about wanting to improve their father-son relationship will have gone in one ear and out the other now that Jack is around and Jock is distracted. He's afraid that everything he was set to gain when Bobby leaves Ewing Oil next month will now disappear before he even gets a chance to enjoy it. In that respect I understand his hesitation and I can't say I'd be disappointed if Jock did take a step back and look at how he's behaving. On the other hand though, I have sons and I'd hope that if any of them were ever in Jack's position, they'd be made to feel welcome and at home, so it would be hypocritical and bad taste to keep a distance from Jack before he even presents reason to".

"Jack's arrival has come at a time which is either very convenient or very inconvenient depending on who you ask. Jock seems to think he's brilliant, I can't say I'm convinced yet… JR seems to believe he's truly a swindler though, however, I'm not convinced that the situation is that bad either. If Jack had moved to Dallas at a different time, say a year ago, or a year from now, things may have been different; I think Bobby leaving Ewing Oil and JR and Jock not having found a replacement yet has created an interesting situation, one that is not good for everyone. Jock does treat his sons differently, as do I, I see that now, and I want to change that; I don't think blindly following one son's opinion, especially when it differs to my husband's opinion, is a good idea though. I cannot and will not treat Jack unkindly because I feel guilty for not defending JR when he was a boy; I cannot and will not simply follow Jock's lead and say nothing to him about his plans if he does choose to continue to integrate Jack into the family though".

Trying hard to explain her feelings in a way that didn't sound as if she were siding with Jock or JR, because she didn't want to give Sue Ellen the wrong idea, and because she really did have mixed feelings, Miss Ellie watched her daughter-in-law closely to get a sense of her real feelings and reactions. Surprisingly, as she finished speaking, Sue Ellen appeared much calmer and less emotionally invested than she had expected, in fact, she looked more contemplative than anything else; as Sue Ellen began to respond though, it became clear why that was.

"I respect what you're saying, neither of us really knows Jack well enough to form a complete opinion on him one way or the other yet. I'll be honest about it the situation though, I think you have a fair point, as does JR; Jack and Jock are getting too cosy for comfort and it's not fair, nor does it seem natural considering the short length of time this has developed over. I think you may benefit from having another conversation with JR though, this weekend seems to have changed his feelings slightly, and I am very pleased about that. I think JR and Jack would get along with each other a lot better if the situation wasn't as complicated as it is; if the job at Ewing Oil wasn't available, and if Jock wasn't so obvious when playing favourites, they might actually see each other less as adversaries and more as cousins, maybe even friends".

"JR is unlikely to admit it openly, but I think he had a good time with Bobby and Jack on Saturday night; that's something I want to see more of. I want JR to have people in his life that he trusts and can have fun with, people that aren't just me and John Ross, not that I mind it being the three of us, because I don't, but I think he deserves more. JR deserves his daddy's love and attention, and he deserves to have his opinion respected at Ewing Oil, he is after all the vice president. I think JR does have a responsibility in the situation though, as do Bobby, Jock, and the rest of us too. JR should make an effort to be friendly, not just cordial, he should give Jack a chance, he doesn't have to give him everything or even trust him completely, but not getting snippy so quickly might actually give him and Jack a chance to get to know each other".

"It's not just JR though, Jack has a responsibility to make more of an effort with the family outside of Jock, especially if that's what he came here for, and Bobby should be using his position of privilege to facilitate some situations, everyone likes Bobby, even JR likes him more now that he's leaving Ewing Oil. We can't forget Jock's part in all of this either, he likes the patriarch title, but he needs to learn how to truly lead the family; he shouldn't be playing favourites, he never should have played favourites, if he wants the Ewings to be a family people admire, he should lead by example. To a lesser extent than the men, you and I, as well as Lucy and John Ross also have a role to play; working to keep lines of communication open and positive is important. I think we're doing a good job though, you're not completely ignoring JR's feelings and defending Jock and neither am I, ignoring Jock and Jack's feelings and defending JR. We both see where things are going wrong and even if we only encourage our husbands to see that too, we're doing something to help the situation".

Listening as Sue Ellen spoke, Miss Ellie found herself nodding in agreement at parts and smiling at her daughter-in-law's surprisingly naïve positivity; Sue Ellen clearly loved JR, but she did wonder whether her love for him was clouding her judgement, JR had been very clear about his dislike of Jack, so them being friends seemed optimistic but unrealistic. She had to admit though, Bobby had seemed in good spirits the previous day, and while he hadn't really said why, perhaps it was possible he had had a good time with JR and Jack and things were just easier and more natural when Jock wasn't around and they were nowhere near the office. "Mm", only murmuring a sound to indicate she was thinking, she found herself doing just that; she didn't know whether it was as easy as Sue Ellen made it sound, but perhaps her daughter-in-law was right, perhaps she was doing enough. Perhaps it was her role to listen to and be empathetic toward JR's concerns, continue to maintain a relationship with Bobby, and challenge Jock when he clearly went against what was good for their family as a whole. She didn't need to get to know Jack specifically to provide guidance for the family, though there was no harm in her getting to know him either. If they all stopped treating Jack like something special, and instead started treating him like an equal, focusing on equal relationships, complete with equal give and take, then perhaps everyone would be happier. She didn't know, but Sue Ellen's comments did make her wonder.

To be continued…