Dallas, Texas

Winding the telephone cord around her finger, Sue Ellen couldn't exactly identify which one thing was making her nervous, just that she was nervous and it wasn't pleasant. She had all the best intentions, Jock was always talking about the importance of family, but he could be unpredictable too and while she thought her idea was a good one, she couldn't guarantee he would agree.

"Sue Ellen?" picking up the call, greeting her by name, she was grateful that at least his new secretary, Judy, had passed on the message of who was calling, although what he thought of it was unclear from his tone of voice.

"Good morning Jock, I hope this isn't a bad time, I can call back if it is", cautious, she offered a chance to reschedule their conversation if he wished.

"It's not, but JR isn't with me, he's in his own office if that's who you're looking for", answering her, his confusion about her intentions was obvious.

She never called him, she rarely even spoke to him at family gatherings if they weren't included in conversations by other people, so it made sense that he didn't have a clue why she'd start now.

"Actually I was phoning for you. I just spoke to JR."

"Oh. What can I help you with?"

"I was wondering whether you'd planned anything for thanksgiving?" Knowing Miss Ellie had always been the party planner, she suspected the answer was no, but she didn't feel right making plans for their family without clearing it with him first.

Sighing, he answered her question succinctly. "No."

"Well, it's next week and…"

Interrupting her, he explained where his head was. "I can't say I'm exactly in the mood to celebrate considering."

Understanding exactly where he was coming from, she empathised, but still pressed forward with what she and JR had discussed. It probably didn't feel like it now but she was sure that in future they'd regret not celebrating this thanksgiving if that's what they chose to do.

"I know, but it's going to be difficult to avoid whether we want to or not, the same goes for Christmas. I know that Miss Ellie would want us to go ahead with a family event, we did it for the barbecue despite none of us feeling particularly up to it. You wouldn't have to do anything, Francisca and I can arrange everything."

Making a "mm" sound to advise he was listening, it was a good few seconds before he replied in full. "You're offering to host?"

"Yes, we'll do it at our home; it'll be a different experience, not so many memories."

"I guess that could do."

Pleased he sounded at least a little receptive, she confirmed her idea, "I'll get onto it. All you need to do is drive over."

"Thank you", accepting her offer, he paused for a second and then surprisingly, complimented her, "JR chose a good wife."

"Thank you Jock. We'll see you soon."

Satisfied with their plans, she ended their conversation and hung up. Hesitating for a few seconds, she then picked up the phone again and dialled 512, the Austin area code, then a series of familiar numbers.

Reaching her mother, their initial conversation felt stilted. They hadn't seen each other in months, for good reason, and even phone contact between them had been infrequent. Losing Miss Ellie had brought home to her that anything could happen any time though and even if she didn't wish to include her mother in her life more than once or twice a year, she should at least make that effort.

"Sue Ellen, are you aware that thanksgiving is a week away?"

Her mother had never been a woman who'd seen an opportunity to critique her and not taken it and this time appeared to be no different.

"Yes, I apologise for the late notice", acknowledging that it wasn't a lot of notice to make arrangements, she also didn't think it was truly an issue for her mother or Kristin, they'd be guests, no one was asking them to organise anything.

"Your sister's flying down tomorrow and then we're going to Florida for the break."

"Florida?" genuinely surprised, she asked for a little clarification. She didn't think her mother knew anyone in Florida or had ever expressed a desire to visit, but then again she didn't know even half of what her mother did or thought anymore.

"Yes, we didn't think you liked us very much anymore."

Rolling her eyes, she was glad they were separated by 200+ miles and didn't have to see each other on a daily basis anymore. "Mother, you're being dramatic."

They had a strained relationship but the way her mother spoke was just preposterous.

"I don't think so. I hadn't heard from you, nor had Kristin, I had to go ahead and make plans", snippy, she didn't take any responsibility for her own lack of communication.

"You'll understand it hasn't exactly been a topic of discussion around here", reminding her mother of the recent upheaval in the Ewing family, she appreciated that she likely didn't mean to be insensitive, after all, she'd shown appropriate condolences at the time of Miss Ellie's passing, it was just that day-to-day, she was self-centred.

"No, I suppose not", changing her tone, her words weren't an apology but they were about as close as they were going to get to one.

"So, will you come?"

"We'd love to but I don't think we can, I've already booked everything and it's non-refundable", letting her down gently, the fact that she was refusing at all was honestly a little unexpected. She couldn't remember her mother ever turning down an invitation to Southfork before, but there was a first time for everything.

"Perhaps Christmas then?" making the effort her mother had taught her to but refused to practice herself, she offered a different plan, one that was surely far enough out to not clash with existing arrangements.

Listening, this time her mother seemed open to the invitation. "Yes, that sounds nice."

Satisfied, she brought their conversation to a close, "we'll see you in December then."

To be continued…