Dallas, Texas
"What do you say, one more store then lunch?" turning to Jenna as one store clerk folded, wrapped and bagged her final purchases and the other processed her purchases to her charge account, Sue Ellen asked a question and made a suggestion, pleased when Jenna responded positively with a, "sounds good". They were still very new to each other, but from what she'd experienced so far, she liked Jenna and could see them becoming friends. JR's motives for choosing to introduce her to Jenna were still murky, she had her suspicions that his investment was more than her happiness and that he would be more than a little pleased if something did happen with Jenna and Bobby at the expense of Bobby and Pamela, however, she was beginning to feel less bothered by that possibility. JR had assured her that he wasn't actively interfering in Bobby and Pamela's relationship and had told her she should really worry less about Bobby's life and focus more on their own, which she was working on doing, one friend at a time. It was actually turning out to be easier to not interfere in Jenna's relationship with Bobby than she thought it would be, because although he'd been mentioned in passing the first time they'd met, Bobby had yet to actually come up in conversation again. For Sue Ellen, as he was out of sight, he was out of mind, because Jenna had enough of a personality herself to prevent wandering thoughts, especially ones of her brother-in-law and his relationships.
Leaving the store, with no less than three bags in each hand between them, they made a quick trip to the parking lot to free up their hands for browsing and carrying more purchases before returning to their chosen activity, shopping. Passing through a less populated area of stores as they headed back to the main shopping area through a side street, Sue Ellen was quick to notice that for as frequently as she shopped, she rarely veered from the department store circuit.
"Oh look, perfect. Let's shop here before we eat, that way we'll know everything fits as it should, if you know what I mean", gesturing toward a boutique Sue Ellen had never shopped in, Jenna's words didn't need explaining as she looked inside. Neither one of them would likely choose to eat a meal at lunch that would dramatically bloat them, but when shopping for intimate apparel, a lady wanted to look her best, especially if she wasn't shopping alone, because friends or not, women tended to judge each other just as much as they helped each other.
Following Jenna's lead, Sue Ellen made conversation as they did their initial walkthrough of the store, "I could use a few things, I haven't been over to Fort Worth in a while", noting Jenna's slight confused expression as she mentioned their neighbouring city, she clarified her comment, "Dallas can be a small town and I like my privacy". Considering her point, Jenna looked away before making eye contact again and nodding, "now that I can understand. I'm surprised we haven't bumped into anyone I know yet, not that I'm complaining, I don't much feel like explaining myself this morning".
Browsing the racks, running her hand over the fabric of a few pieces, stopping to examine something occasionally, she then spoke again, changing the topic slightly, "it is nice being back in Dallas though, it's nice to shop at a leisurely pace and have a real selection to choose from. I make do with what we have in Tyler most of the time, but gifts and overnight trips are what really make my wardrobe". Listening as she too pulled various items from the racks to inspect, though not finding much she liked, Sue Ellen was curious about Jenna's relationship situation, "overnight trips?" She got the impression sometimes that Jenna was single, but other times it seemed she had a man to warm her bed at night. "Mm, you know how it is, can't be away from the office for too long", answering with ease, as if work explained everything, Sue Ellen just smiled and nodded, "right". She had questions, though she knew better than to ask them aloud; Jenna would explain the details of her situation if and when she felt comfortable doing so and until that point she needed to respect her privacy.
Despite not knowing the details, she had a fair idea of how Jenna lived her life; she didn't have a traditional job, her open schedule told her that much, despite that though, she had money. From what JR had said, she wasn't living off many, if any, inherited funds, so with that in mind, plus the cash payments for her purchases and vague references to a man in her life, it wasn't hard to work out what her circumstances were. There were plenty of men around who'd be willing to support a pretty woman so long as she supported him, what that support meant varied from man to man, but in general, she had a fair idea what was going on and she really didn't think much of it. It would be hypocritical of her to think it scandalous that Jenna accepted monetary support from a man considering she herself did exactly the same thing, though she and JR were married, but even before that, it wasn't like he hadn't been generous toward her, especially when it came to gifts, his biggest being an apartment for her graduation. Jenna wasn't ashamed of her lifestyle, she had no need to be, she knew what she wanted and what she deserved and she did what she could to ensure she had that.
"Oh, now that is interesting, perhaps a little too challenging though", cackling as she held up what looked like a teddy but appeared to be constructed out of several smaller tie up pieces, enough to frustrate any man, Jenna's attitude amused Sue Ellen, it had been a long time since she'd been shopping with anyone quite as open-minded as Jenna. "I think it unties from the bottom", pointing out the delicately tied bow, she couldn't help giggling herself; she had quite the collection of lingerie in her own wardrobe, but this was something else completely. "Well, I am a gift to men, but that might be a little blunt", raising an eyebrow, Jenna's mischievous smile was hard to miss and hard to not appreciate after a long period of time without much interaction with other women in such a casual, open manner. She missed Paula, she missed her sorority sisters, and although she was building a relationship with Pamela, somehow what they had with each other was different to what she and Jenna were finding they shared.
"Speaking of interesting", continuing on through the store, getting further away from the street front window and entrance, it soon became clear to both women that the store they'd walked into wasn't quite the same as the stores they were used to frequenting. "You know, I have to agree, but perhaps it's not for us", passing a look between them, they both giggled quietly as they turned and exited, erupting into a fit of laughter as they walked back out onto the street. "Perhaps we need to go somewhere a little less outrageous and a little more mainstream. I've got far too good of an arrangement going to look cheap or classless. No need to remind a man he could have what he really wants without all the strings if he looked in other places", raising an eyebrow, Jenna gave her the biggest clue about her relationship yet. For Sue Ellen, she didn't quite agree, she and JR worked on a more communicative level, where if either of them wanted to try something different, they could suggest it and have it be about them, not other temptations, however, she and JR were married, Jenna was not, and she was smart enough to know to not rock the boat.
"I suppose it depends on the man", defensive of her own relationship, Sue Ellen was quick to respond. "So, you're saying you'd willingly put it into JR's head that there are women who'd do anything for him, anytime, anyplace if he wants them?" raising an eyebrow in response, Jenna turned to look at her, intrigued, clearly their relationships were quite different from each other. "Not quite. I'm saying, if JR wanted that sort of thing, I'd expect him to tell me, and we'd work on it from there". Hoping that was what JR would actually do, expecting he would after all they'd been through together, she felt some sense of doubt as she looked at Jenna's expression, however, she had to believe that she knew her own marriage better than anyone.
"Meaning what exactly?" continuing to question her, Jenna was genuinely interested in what Sue Ellen had to say, because the JR she had known wasn't the sort of man she would willingly put temptation in front of. "Meaning, he knows that he'd lose me forever if he strayed and that it's better to suggest something and have me say no than to go ahead and do it, hoping I won't find out". Listening to Sue Ellen's response, she sensed that her comments were based firmly in past experience, past painful experience that had been a lesson to everyone involved, and surprisingly, for once, she had to believe that maybe, just maybe, people could change, and Sue Ellen's influence had done just that to JR.
"You know, if someone had told me that JR Ewing respects his wife like that before I saw you two together, I'd say they were crazy, but after seeing what I've seen, I'm actually inclined to believe you". Smiling slyly, she complimented Sue Ellen's marriage but didn't pry, hoping to find out more details about what had gone on later, when they knew each other a bit better. "You should, I'm not making things up. JR is a very happy, satisfied man and I take at least some responsibility for that", replying, Sue Ellen seemed quite certain of herself, which Jenna couldn't argue with, because JR did seem satisfied and happy with just one woman which was a change from the man she had known him to be in the past.
"That's actually very nice. If only all wives were that receptive to their husband's needs", turning back onto the main street they'd been shopping on earlier, Jenna was surprised when Sue Ellen stopped to look at her, seeming to process her comment before replying, "I'd hope they are". Sue Ellen seemed like a nice lady, but in some respects she was terribly naïve, not all relationships were like hers.
"You'd think they would be, but you'd be shocked at how many men look outside their relationships for the affection they crave", most men like JR didn't expect their wives to do much more than stand at their side looking pretty and supporting them, in all aspects of their lives, which really wasn't that hard to do in her opinion. In her experience with men, what they often found after a few years was that when their relationships were well past the courting stage, a pretty, cardboard wife just couldn't make them feel the same way as they had in the beginning though. When a wife took her role as an adornment too seriously and her role as a supportive wife not seriously enough, that was when things started to go downhill, at least that's what she had heard enough complaints of. Soon enough, dull social engagements weren't just something to endure before the real fun of the night began, before long they were the fun and upon returning home, little more happened in the bedroom than sleep. She knew the pattern and how often it happened, she had been there before, not as a wife, but as the woman men turned to when their wife just didn't appeal the same way anymore.
"Shocked isn't the word I'd use", replying dryly, it became clear that Sue Ellen had experience with infidelity, though surprisingly from her earlier comments and current relationship status, she and JR had managed to salvage what they'd had together rather than the alternative. "Well, whatever it is, it's not exactly uncommon", shrugging, Jenna replied and began to walk again, attempting to move their conversation out of the middle of the pedestrian area.
"I think it's more complicated than that. Marriage can be hard and there are times where just like any human, you don't both feel the same way about something. I don't think disagreeing is an excuse to seek outside affection though", feeling strongly about the topic, Sue Ellen's tone of voice conveyed that, though Jenna wasn't convinced that it was that simple. "Sue Ellen, I think you're blinded by what is clearly a good relationship for you, but some men aren't as lucky as JR, and some women aren't as lucky as you, trust me", hinting at her own experience, Jenna wasn't upset by their conversation, just equally as certain about her opinion, one that opposed Sue Ellen's.
"Jenna, are you telling me this man you're seeing is married?" asking her directly, Sue Ellen's question came as a surprise to Jenna as although she was making no secret of her past, she hadn't actually said anything about her current situation. "Actually, no, Richard isn't, he'd be married to his work if he could though, I'm really more of a convenience than anything, but the arrangement suits us; a nice roof over my head, a sweet little old lady to babysit when needed, and the freedom to do what I wish with my time outside of our regular meetings". Being honest, she surprised herself as she heard how shallow she sounded as she described her life; she was Richard's girlfriend, but what she'd described didn't sound particularly romantic, not like what Sue Ellen probably thought a relationship should be.
"I'm glad to hear that. I take it you have been the other woman though?" responding to her honesty with another question that required honesty, Sue Ellen took her by surprise again, still not offending her, more challenging her perspective on things, though not necessarily changing it. "'Other woman' is such a negative term to use, but for the purpose of answering your question, yes, and before you judge, like I said before, you're blinded by a good relationship, not everyone has that, and sometimes men just need an understanding woman". Responding, she gave Sue Ellen the respect she deserved and answered her honestly, however, she knew her answer wasn't what she actually wanted to hear.
"Jenna, I like you, but I have to disagree with you on that. I don't support infidelity, someone always gets hurt, even if it's unintentional, and as a wife, I'd rather my husband was honest with me about what he saw our marriage as and ended it rather than going behind my back and making a fool out of me". Listening to Sue Ellen's passionate reply, she could understand where she was coming from, she was a wife and the thought, or memory, of her husband doing something outside of their marriage was distressing, however, clearly she had no experience on the other side of things and in that respect, they weren't ever really going to agree. She didn't really know where they were to go from there though, because they could argue the point back and forth all day, but she didn't really want to do that.
"How about we agree to disagree? I promise, I'll never sleep with JR, and seeing as I'm not doing anything wrong at present, there's nothing for us to argue about now is there?" Offering Sue Ellen a chance to end the conversation before they got carried away, she grinned slyly as she made her comment about JR, she liked Sue Ellen and she sensed that perhaps offering a white flag and a promise to stay away from her husband might ease her mind.
"I can't quite agree that we have nothing to argue about, but sure, I'll agree to disagree, and I'd hope there was never a need for that promise", replying quickly, Sue Ellen's spoke in a clipped tone, though she seemed to soften slightly as she agreed to move away from that topic of conversation, and that was enough for Jenna. "Don't worry, Bobby's more my type", grinning as she responded, Jenna attempted to reassure Sue Ellen that she wasn't after her husband, a fact which she had no problem stating, because it was true. She might not have married Bobby all those years ago, but that didn't mean she didn't sometimes regret it and that she didn't still think of him as exactly her type.
"Good", smiling shyly, Sue Ellen seemed to accept her offer of a truce, and taking that as a sign to move on, Jenna smiled back, waving her hand in the direction of a nearby department store before responding, "good. Now, shall we?" and heading off in the direction of the door, Sue Ellen quickly nodding and joining her.
To be continued…