Dallas, Texas

Listening to his wife speaking, JR's mind moved back and forth between opinions. On one hand, he really did feel bad for her that she was still so insecure about making friends, because she really did have a lot to offer people and he did support her doing that if that's what she really wanted. On the other hand though, he found her attitude frustrating; she was friendlier and more appealing than she gave herself credit for, and for some reason she allowed her insecurity to overwhelm her and stall her progress. She wanted friends, that was fine, he didn't have a problem with that, what he did have a problem with was her constantly standing around describing what she wanted and dwelling on the what-ifs rather than just trying things and seeing whether they worked or not. He knew Sue Ellen was reserved and had lost some sense of self during their marriage, but he had thought she had turned over a new leaf and rediscovered the outgoing side of herself, the side that had brought her success as a cheerleader, sorority girl, and pageant queen. Being a mother was a new sense of self for her, or he'd thought it was, because she had wanted it for so long and taken to it straight away; she chose the wrong women to bond with over a common situation though and her old insecurities had returned. In his opinion, it seemed pointless to continue to do the same things as she was and expect a different outcome. His feelings about the Barnes family aside, Pamela's socioeconomic difference was obvious and he couldn't pretend he was overjoyed his wife was entering into another predictable situation, a situation of disappointment, a situation he'd have to deal with the aftermath of when it all went wrong.

"Darlin', I hear what you're saying and you know I support you having friends, I really do think the amount of stress this is causing you is something to think about though. As I said the last time we discussed this, I don't think it's right or good for you to drive yourself crazy trying to fit in with people you have nothing in common with. I'm pleased you're happy with how things are going with Pamela, but I still can't pretend that friendship is something I wholeheartedly support, because it's not. I think you're both skirting around your differences and one day it's all going to crumble and we're going to be right back here, with you wondering why it is your efforts at making friends don't seem to go anywhere. I know you want my support and I'm here to give you my support, I really am, it's just I really think you need to be realistic about what you want and what you can have. You don't have to re-join the DOA to meet people in our social and income bracket either, I'm sorry you think you do. I note your request for suggestions too, off the top of my head I can think of a few girls I know that are nice enough, whether they are people you want to be friends with is up to you, but I can make some suggestions when we're home later. I need you to do something for me too though, I need you to stop pretending shop girls and middle-income housewives are your peers, they aren't, and the sooner you realise that, the sooner you might begin to relax and make friends".

"JR…" hearing Sue Ellen interrupting, he knew he had to finish what he had to say, otherwise she'd completely misconstrue his point, even though he did mean everything he'd just said. "No, just hear me out; I know you know what I'm talking about, because we discussed this on Sunday. I understand that you are lonely and I don't blame you for trying to make friends, in fact, I applaud you, because you're clearly capable of it and you deserve to be happy. With that being said though, I still think you are approaching the situation wrong way. I'm sorry you haven't met anyone suitable to befriend in our world outside of the DOA ladies, I never intended for you to graduate college, marry me, and then become a recluse; I suppose I never really put much effort into helping you avoid that though either. Like I said, I know a few ladies who you might like, but I can't make any guarantees; I want you to understand though that I never intended for you to feel like an outsider here in Dallas and I'm sorry if you think I haven't introduced you to anyone you find yourself wanting to be friends with. I think the difference in our needs show in this situation too and that's something to consider. You know, I'm a busy man and I'll be honest, I don't like that many people, so I find my social needs are adequately met by the socialising I already participate in; clearly you don't though and like I said, I'll try to consider that more often now".

Trying hard to sound like he was being supportive, because he generally was, JR still carefully chose what he did and did not say, because he didn't want to be held to promises later on that he wasn't completely committed to. Unfortunately, Sue Ellen either knew him well or had been analysing every word he said as he said it because not long after he finished speaking, she responded back, "thank you", then paused for a moment and continued, "I appreciate your support of my intentions. I don't think you understand what I'm trying to tell you though. I'm trying to make friends and Pamela is the first person in a long time that I've felt really good about being friends with; I'm not going to give that up because it might crumble. I know if it does crumble it will be painful, but for now, it's nice. I know you have good intentions when you push that we are at a different stage in our lives to many other people, but until I actually meet people who are similar to me, I'm going to try with what I am offered, and at the moment, that's Pamela and her friends. I'm not ignoring your advice, or my own wants, I know I just specifically asked you to help me in that regard, I'm just saying, all options are on the table right now and I'm asking for your support across the board".

Listening, he knew what she meant, she was asking him to say he supported her and Pamela being friends rather than continuing his current silent disapproval of the situation. Doing that would be lying though, because he really didn't like the idea of his wife and Pamela Barnes becoming close friends. "Sue Ellen…" saying her name in a tone that indicated he didn't want to argue but she was pushing him toward an argument, he caught Doctor Williams' eye and frowned; the doctor was as he always was, listening and watching, calmly judging even though he didn't have all the facts. "Look darlin', you know how I feel about you and that Barnes woman pursuing a friendship, I don't really understand the appeal and I don't really have any interest in bringing her into our lives, but if that's what you want to do then go ahead. I think we're going around in circles here though; you have one opinion, I have another; can we simply agree that your main intention is something I support. I'm not going to stand in the way of you making friends, and I'll support you by helping you if you wish me to, but I don't think we'll ever completely agree on which way is best to make new friends or what exactly you're supposed to look for in a new friend. I don't think that matters though; I'm here to listen to you and as I said, I'll help you if you want me to; I'm simply asking that you consider my opinion too. That's not too much to ask is it?"

Aware of Doctor Williams presence, he tried to be extra fair in what he was proposing, he did not need the doctor in his ear about listening techniques again. More than being aware of Doctor Williams though, he was aware of Sue Ellen's fragility; she was strong, but in this situation she was vulnerable and she was simply looking for some support; he could give her that support, he just had some pride of his own that he couldn't let go of. He didn't really see the harm in holding onto his opinion and not completely agreeing with her though, it wasn't like he was actively doing anything to harm her situation. They could agree to disagree on one small part of the topic and then move on to agreeing on other parts, it really wasn't that difficult.

To be continued…