Dallas, Texas

"What about you JR? Did you play too?" listening to Bobby's personal experiences in the conversation they had started about sports, namely football, it didn't take Jack long to notice that JR seemed to have plenty to say, but not much to share. To be honest, he didn't have much to share about football either, his life back home had been so different to what life in Dallas looked like, but still, he found JR's lack of personal stories interesting. In the short time he had known JR it had become obvious to him that he was somewhat of a perfectionist and unless he was the absolute best at something, he generally didn't want to talk about his personal involvement with that subject. He found that interesting, JR was confident and could be friendly when he dropped his guard a bit, but still, dropping his guard never really meant completely letting go of whatever his insecurities were. Surprisingly though, the way JR responded to his questions was refreshingly honest and gave him an insight into what he suspected was true about his new family.

"Football? No, not really, that was always Bob's talent. I'm not too bad at squash and I can throw a football around on Thanksgiving, but other than that sport isn't something I really pursue. I never had the time or quite frankly the inclination, I'm the brains and Bob's the brawn of the family. Ewing Oil's not a sports team but it's the team I've always been on". From the tone JR used to answer his question, it was obvious to Jack that Ewing Oil was everything his father and Jock had made it out to be, it was more than just a company, it was something big, it was a lifestyle, it was something that had claimed a young JR and he'd never escaped from its clutches. "Not playing doesn't stop me from following the Cowboys though, and I've never turned away from a pretty cheerleader", laughing as he spoke again, brushing away any seriousness, it was obvious to Jack that JR's wall was coming up again.

"What man in his right mind would?" laughing along with JR, Jack agreed with his cousin's comment, remembering his own high school years fondly, though not forgetting JR's earlier comment about Ewing Oil either. "Maybe, if you can get away from the office, we could play squash together sometime? I can't say I've ever played, but that's probably a good thing for you, I know you like to be the best, and you clearly don't really like horses". Making an effort to be inclusive, because it was obvious JR had no real experience doing such things himself, he held off making a comment about Ewing Oil not being a substitute for a friend, because as cocky and tough as JR was, he seemed to have a sulky side too and he really didn't want to entertain that JR.

"Sure, I think I could find a couple of hours to show you a thing or two", grinning as he spoke, JR's appreciation of his gesture was apparent in his body language, though as had become clear recently, his verbal appreciation skills were somewhat lacking. Where he treated Sue Ellen and John Ross with absolute love and doting attention, everyone else was a few feet removed from his genuine emotions; that was ok though, they had at least made progress from their first couple of meetings where sarcastic, nasty JR had made his presence loud and clear. Jock was quick to put JR back in his place after his negativity showed, which he had always appreciated, but now that he was getting to know JR more personally himself, he was beginning to understand and appreciate where his cousin's attitude came from to begin with. It was telling that JR referred to Ewing Oil as the only team he'd ever been on, if he'd been around serious adults and business deals his entire life it was probably no wonder he had few friends, and it was understandable that he was protective of his stake in the company when 'outsiders' came sniffing around.

"Good, I'm a quick learner. How does this week sound? Maybe one night after work? Or next weekend? Provided I'm not out of town with Bobby that is". Not forgetting that he was now an employee of the great and powerful Ewing Oil and no longer had the complete freedom that he had enjoyed during his time in Dallas so far, he was keen to pencil something in before he became caught up in everything else he had going on. It wasn't that he was going to be so overwhelmed with commitments that he'd have no social life, that wasn't how the job had been described to him at all, it was just that he wanted to have a clear idea of what he could look forward to when he returned to Dallas. He had come to find and get to know his family and it seemed a waste not to actively try to actually do that. He was also keen to make the plans before JR could brush his requests off as something to think about later; JR was exactly the type of man to put work before friends, but things could be different if he made the plans before he got busy with work. Plus, if they had plans, he could let Jock know and Jock seemed the type to encourage the closeness between cousins, or at least he had so far.

"We'll be in Midland and Odessa on Monday and Tuesday but the rest of the week is just local; there are a few people I want to introduce you to but those are flexible". Having been quietly listening to him and JR talking, Bobby jumped into the conversation to clarify his availability before stepping out again, leaving the plans open for JR to consider. "Wednesday after work then?" offering an evening without making a fuss, JR actually looked happy as he responded; perhaps they did want the same thing and JR was just bad at making the first move in personal situations. It was an odd thought, because his eldest cousin was so confident in his business life and from the stories he'd heard, was no stranger to making acquaintance with beautiful women, it was really just friends and even his own brother he seemed to have trouble communicating with on a casual level.

"Wednesday it is. I'll meet you at the office and we can go from there. Bobby, maybe we could do something later too? I'm sure JR has to go home to his wife at some point, don't you JR?" seeing JR frown a bit, as if he didn't want anyone to think Sue Ellen dictated his life to him, even if that's not what he meant, he knew he had to clarify what he had meant by his comment. "I'm sure you both realise that I don't know many people here, I came here to find my family and I have, I want to spend time with all of you. Being alone is not something I'm used to, luckily I've found Dallas to be a very hospitable city so far, but I'm sure you know how it is, or maybe not since Southfork is rarely empty; sometimes you just want to talk to someone you know, not have to start from scratch all for the pleasure of one night. Sometimes you just want to have a beer, grill a steak and relax". Revealing some of his vulnerabilities, vulnerabilities he hadn't realised existed within him until he'd left his life in Alaska behind, he hoped his comments didn't make him sound like a wuss and instead just emphasised that he genuinely did want the friendships he was trying to build with his cousins.

"I think that can be arranged, don't you JR? We all have lives but there's always room for one more; maybe not on my date tonight, or JR's, but in general it's not a problem. I'll be sure to introduce you to some of the guys I went to college with too, the more people you meet the more choice you have". Listening to Bobby's inclusive, welcoming comments, he was pleased with the direction of the conversation, though he couldn't say he was surprised when JR silently listened and eventually muttered something about starting with Wednesday and seeing what he could do. Bobby was the open, friendly brother, whereas JR was the more cautious, wary brother, though when he opened up, he could be just as much fun as Bobby; he had to handle his relationship with each of them differently, but he wasn't planning on leaving Dallas any time soon, so he could do just that. "Good, thank you. Now, who wants another drink?" offering JR a chance to cheer up at the change of topic, he smiled happily to himself as he wandered into the kitchen, Dallas was proving to be everything he had hoped for and more.

To be continued…