Dallas, Texas

Resisting raising an eyebrow in response to his patients' avoidance of a difficult situation, Doctor Williams couldn't resist saying something, he had to, to earn his worth and because he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "I'm pleased to see you two are able to deescalate an argument like this, however, I don't believe you've really resolved anything. Sue Ellen, you in particular, I have to ask whether you genuinely trust your husband or whether you're just saying that to avoid feeling ill and alone like you would if this argument lasted past this appointment". Saying exactly what was on his mind, he knew he was risking alienating Sue Ellen by pointing out her change of mind and lack of push for real answers from JR, who was clearly benefitting and probably enjoying her recently rediscovered passive attitude. Somebody had to say something though, pretending everything was fine when it wasn't was part of what had caused a lot of problems in their marriage in the past, she knew that, and yet she was choosing to ignore circumstances repeating themselves.

Giving him a cold stare, one he hadn't seen from her in a while, he wasn't surprised when she responded in an almost robotic manner, as if she was detached from her real emotions and solely focused now on what would make JR happy and in turn create peace in her marriage when they returned home later that day. "No, JR's right, we did discuss this prior to coming here today and I had accepted his actions were based around my request that he assist me. I get too much into my head sometimes, I need to meet with Jenna as we planned and not worry so much about everything else. I'm not doing this for Bobby and neither is JR, this is for me, and I trust that JR thinks that way too".

Observing Sue Ellen with concern, Doctor Williams simply nodded, Sue Ellen was not in a mental space to see that her husband was manipulating her emotions, which was a concern, because they were supposed to be in an open, honest environment where expressing her feelings like she had earlier didn't result in regression. If she was choosing to act like she was and it wasn't simply regression, then that worried him too; she had the ability to hold her own and be strong, but sometimes she just didn't and in the long run that wouldn't benefit her, he couldn't help her if she wouldn't help herself first though.

"Hm, ok, and you JR?" addressing Sue Ellen's response, he then turned his attention toward JR, "you've got Sue Ellen exactly where you want her, some might even say you've scared her into submission to suit your own interests. I'd hope that anything of that nature was unintentional and that your genuine intentions here are to assist your wife with making friends, not using her vulnerability as a convenient fix to a perceived problem in your life". Calling it as he saw it, he was prepared for JR to stand up and threaten to walk out again, however, after making eye contact with him, he knew that wasn't going to happen. JR had changed tack and was going to do what he could to keep his wife on his side, which in this case meant playing the innocent role, even if he was far from that.

"Now doc, that's not fair. I love my wife and I'll do whatever I can to help her. I won't take any blame or responsibility for whatever happens as a result of her happiness though, what my little brother chooses to do or not to is nothing to do with me, I said that to begin with and I'll say it again. In my opinion, which Sue Ellen asked for, Jenna Wade would make a good friend, a better friend than that Pamela Barnes, and if Bobby thinks a better girlfriend then I won't complain either, but like I said, I'm not doing this for Bobby, or Jenna, I'm doing it for Sue Ellen. Now, as you would have heard, Sue Ellen is uncomfortable with the tone of this conversation and wants to move on, so let's do just that".

Saying what he had to say, some of JR's comments appeared believable to Doctor Williams, it was no secret that Sue Ellen was lonely and had asked for her husband's assistance in meeting people, however, he didn't believe for one second that there was no ulterior motive behind introducing her to this particular woman, Jenna Wade, whoever she was. Admittedly, he didn't know the details, but everything he could piece together pointed toward it being a little bit more complicated than introducing a stranger to their lives. JR was right in that what he brother did in his personal life wasn't really any of his business, however, he couldn't really play innocent if something did happen and he was a big part of the reason why this Jenna woman was in any of their lives again to begin with. It was well known that JR didn't like Pamela, he'd agreed to tolerate her for his wife's sake though, but if she was suddenly out of the picture and replaced by a woman he did like, a woman like Jenna, he probably figured everyone would be happy, eventually, and the damage that occurred in pursuit of that happiness was unimportant.

Glancing at Sue Ellen, he noticed that she did look distressed, and with her in that state plus her earlier denial of any real problem with their communication or the situation in general, he decided against pushing the topic, though he scribbled down a few notes to put on his file indicating the extent of the problem. "As you wish. I'd like to remind you both though that you come here to talk things through with each other while I mediate and attempt to guide the conversation toward a more positive outcome than what you could achieve alone, which is why I ask you hard or uncomfortable questions. With that in mind, please, if you do have grievances, now is the time to air them, unless you're positive they're not going to create friction as soon as you get home". Giving them a final chance to say something, he knew things were unlikely to change today, but a final opportunity was always good to offer anyway before closing a conversation.

"JR, I trust you and I hope that your love for me and wish for me to be happy extends to any decisions I make, including ones you disapprove of". Looking straight at her husband as she spoke, Sue Ellen seemed to regain a bit of fight back, though not much as she didn't really ask anything of him except to tell her what she wanted to hear, which he was happy to do, because it suited him to have her think that. "It does, be friends with Pamela Barnes if it's that important to you, just don't say no to other, better opportunities because you're afraid of the consequences, that's all I ask", replying, JR appeared sincere, though that was probably only because technically what he was saying was what he wanted for her in a roundabout way. He could push Jenna on her and let Bobby do the rest for him, he seemed confident that that would happen and in the process Pamela would go away, which was what he really wanted.

"Ok", agreeing to his request to keep an open mind, Sue Ellen seemed to relax, she could have more than one friend, no one was saying she couldn't and getting confirmation of that obviously pleased her. What worried him though was that JR said one thing and did another, and there was no doubt in his mind that whatever motive he had in introducing her to Jenna was not exactly as pure and selfless as he made it sound, which would hurt Sue Ellen when she inevitably realised that her initial instincts regarding that were right.

"Good, now I think we're done here for today, don't you darlin'?" taking Sue Ellen's comments as closure JR was quick to try to end things. "Whatever you wanted to discuss at the beginning of this appointment can wait until next time, I'm thoroughly talked out now", turning to him as he said the rest of what he had to say, JR's words appeared final, which was fine by him, because with the way JR was acting today progress probably wasn't likely to occur. Nodding, he looked both of his patients in the eye before speaking, "fair enough, these sessions are for you, both of you, and I'm just here to assist you, so if you're content with what we've discussed today then we can end things here for now". Ideally, he Sue Ellen would have a moment of clarity where her husband's manipulations became obvious, however, he wasn't holding his breath for that to happen, so in the meantime he would let them leave and next time they came back he would do what he always did, listen and try to help them, it's all he could do.

"I am, and we will", nodding, JR stood in anticipation of leaving, holding out his hand to his wife, probably eager to make sure she followed his lead. It really was strange, the Ewings had made so much progress in some areas of their marriage, but in others, it was as if they were still brand new to communication and respect. "Thank you", smiling politely, Sue Ellen was much less aggressive than her husband, however, she didn't put up much of a fight when leaving was discussed, and before he knew what was happening they were all walking toward the door, saying their goodbyes and hurrying out of the office. Shaking his head as he watched his patients leaving, Doctor Williams returned to his desk, there were a lot of notes for him to make following their meeting today and they were not particularly positive as far as progress was concerned.

To be continued…