Dallas, Texas
3 March 1972
"Boy, Ewing Oil looks like it will be all yours someday."
The news was good news for him but bad news for JR.
There was a separation between father and son, which Bobby knew his older brother was serious about, however until now he hadn't realised just how seriously his daddy was taking the situation.
His daddy had always assumed JR would come crawling back with his tail between his legs but it seemed that now he'd finally come to terms with the fact that JR was happy to be his own man, running his own company and his own life.
He'd always had the opportunity to do what he was being directed to do now but never before had it had such potential to take him somewhere. When JR was at Ewing Oil, his place had been in the vice president's office but now that he'd vacated the office there was space for a new Mr Ewing, him.
4 March 1972
"She intends to do what?"
"Marry Clayton Farlow."
Hearing the news from his youngest son, Jock didn't know what to think.
Technically Ellie was free to do as she wished, they'd been divorced for more than a year, but still, it was a shock to hear that she'd moved on from him.
"I don't believe it."
"Believe it. They're serious."
"Ellie loved me."
"Daddy."
"I know, I had Julie."
He'd tried and failed to get Julie to marry him, their relationship ultimately ending in tragedy. Ellie on the other hand had kept to herself and slowly built a relationship with their visitor from San Angelo, a relationship that was apparently serious enough now for marriage.
"Yes."
"Well, let's not dwell."
"All right."
"Tell me, what does everyone else think about this?"
Not wanting to stay thinking about his relationship with Julie for too long, he didn't feel the same way about the entire subject. This was news to him and he didn't like having only half a story.
"To be honest, JR and I aren't sure, it's quite a change."
Nodding, it pleased him to hear that his sons were still his sons.
"What does Sue Ellen think?"
Hearing the question, he was surprised in himself that he cared to ask. He'd always thought of Sue Ellen as a means to an end, the perfect wife for JR in theory, however her opinion wasn't something he'd ever concerned himself with before.
"She's happy for mama."
"I bet she is. That girl despises me."
Knowing JR's wife's opinion about John Ross Ewing III had heavily influenced JR's withdrawal from Ewing Oil, he couldn't say he had any great fondness for her anymore either.
"She's had a few bad experiences with you."
"Lucy?"
Moving on from talk of his daughter-in-law, he enquired about his granddaughter.
"I think she's on the same page as me and JR."
Satisfied that the wedding wasn't as popular as Ellie might want it to be, he asked a final question.
"You think there's a chance of it not going ahead?"
"No, and I don't want you to think so either. Mama is happy, leave her be."
It wasn't what he wanted to hear, then again, he didn't know what he wanted to hear.
He hadn't wanted Ellie towards the end of their marriage or following their divorce and in the months since losing Julie had hadn't even considered reconciling with his ex-wife, so had he heard that he might have a chance with her still he wasn't sure he'd actually want to take it.
13 March 1972
He was just as qualified academically as JR, both having completed four years at UT, however JR had far more real world experience than he did and Bobby was beginning to realise he might also have far more natural aptitude for the oil business than he did.
His daddy was a difficult man to work for and as each day passed it was becoming clearer to him that such a life wasn't what he wanted.
Unfortunately, he'd never been very good at hiding his feelings and his daddy was beginning to notice that the opportunity he was providing him with wasn't necessarily something he thrived on.
He'd continue to do as he was, to give it a chance, however he wasn't sure how much more he could take. He'd never worked well under pressure and that had never been more obvious to him.
18 March 1972
"Stop."
Touching his hand to the dark-haired woman's head, pushing her away, Jock sighed resignedly as she did as he said and created a space between them.
"Are you sure? I can keep…"
Completely limp, he wanted to blame her lack of skill or unattractiveness for his state but he knew such accusations would be a lie.
"No. Go."
Taking his words more seriously this time, she slid off the bed and began to dress.
Watching, frustrated and angry, he snapped at her when he noticed the direction of her gaze.
"Take the money and go. I don't care. Get out. Now!"
Raising his voice, he got what he asked for although the minute he heard the door close he regretted it.
He was alone. He had Ewing Oil but even that didn't really mean much. He had no wife, no girlfriend, no women that truly interested him; his sons were becoming increasingly exasperating, Ellie was about to remarry, and while he hadn't heard from his second son in years he figured that with how his life currently was, even Gary probably had it better than him right now.
Topping off the misery of his life circumstances was the issue he was currently experiencing. It wasn't Julie's problem any more than it was Penny, Valerie or Tammy's problem. The problem was his. It wasn't quite fifty-fifty but it felt like it was, the incredible irritation and annoyance he felt overshadowing any shame that had initially been present. Nowadays he was using relations mostly as stress relief, so when he couldn't perform that only added to the tension inside him.
He was angry, and the path away from that anger was becoming less clear by the day.
