Reunion
Part 14
Sue Ellen and J.R. took John Ross' out for a post-birthday breakfast at his favorite restaurant, the San Francisco Rose on Greenville Avenue. The restaurant offered one of the finest Sunday brunch menus in Dallas. John Ross asked, "Daddy, may I drive my new car?" J.R. laughed at his son's enthusiasm, and Sue Ellen said, "No, you may not, at least not until you have your learner's permit." John Ross said, "Okay, Mamma, but when I do get my license, I'll take you both out for breakfast. "J.R. said, "That sounds wonderful, son. We can hardly wait." J.R. held open the passengers' door for Sue Ellen and kissed her neck as she climbed into the car. John Ross smiled, when he saw the exchange. He could get used to seeing his parents getting along so well. J.R. drove his Cadillac Allante'. He lowered the convertible top, because the breeze felt cool against his face and he enjoyed watching Sue Ellen try, in vain, to keep her hair from blowing in her eyes. J.R. rested his hand on Sue Ellen's knee. It felt so natural to him. He didn't think twice about it. Sue Ellen didn't seem to mind. She ran her fingers through his hair at the nape of his neck. John Ross sat in the back seat, grinning from ear to ear. He asked his Daddy if he would change the radio station. J.R. said, "I will, after I hear the news, and the stock market report, all right?" Sue Ellen glanced at J.R. He winked at her and tightened his grip on her knee. She leaned over in her seat to get closer to him. J.R.'s primary reason for listening to the news and the stock report had very little to do with Ewing Oil, and a great deal to do with the weather in the Gulf of Mexico, where J.R.'s new offshore rig was preparing for their initial drill. J.R. had told Sue Ellen all the details involved in his business venture a couple of weeks earlier, and she knew exactly where his interests lie. J.R. changed the radio station to one of John Ross' favorite stations. J.R. was glad for the wind flapping against his Stetson, because it drowned out the sound of the music John Ross enjoyed. Sue Ellen was more familiar with John Ross' likes and dislikes, she knew the names of the bands, and singers he liked to listen to. Sue Ellen looked over her shoulder at John Ross, and he was singing along with the radio at the top of his lungs. Sue Ellen shook her head from side to side, and smiled at J.R. J.R. had a disgusted look on his face and muttered, "Damn rock and roll. It's not music. It's noise."
J.R. parked the car at the restaurant and walked around the car to the passenger's side to open the door for Sue Ellen. She took his outstretched hand and said, "Thank you, Darlin'." John Ross stepped out of the car and hurried to open the door to the restaurant. He held the door open for his Daddy and Mamma. J.R. said, "Thank you, son." The hostess asked them how many people would be dining today, and John Ross told her that it would just be the three of them. The hostess asked if they wished to dine inside or out on the patio. John Ross looked at his parents and asked, "Well, inside or outside?" Sue Ellen said, "You're the birthday boy, you decide." John Ross decided that they would eat outside, underneath one of the table umbrellas. The hostess showed them to their table, and handed them their menus. She told them that their waitress would be with them shortly. J.R. opened a menu and asked, "What are you in the mood for, Sugar?' Sue Ellen stretched one of her legs under the table and touched his leg with her foot. J.R. shifted in his chair. He knew what she was hinting at, and he grinned. Sue Ellen glanced at the menu and said, "I think I'll have the fresh fruit platter and some coffee." J.R. said, "I'm starvin', I think I'll have the steak and egg platter." John Ross said, "Yeah, that's what I want, too." The waitress approached their table and greeted them. She asked them if they would care for something to drink. J.R. said, "This lovely lady to my right would like coffee, and I think I'll take coffee, as well." He looked at John Ross and asked, "What would you like to drink, son?" John Ross said, "I'd like a glass of orange juice, please?" The waitress told them that she would return promptly with their drinks. Sue Ellen reached for J.R.'s hand, while they waited for their waitress' return. The waitress delivered their drinks and asked if they were ready to order. The waitress filled their food orders and left their table to wait on the restaurant's other patrons. J.R. left a tip at the table, and paid for their meals at the cashier's desk. They left the restaurant and drove back to the ranch.
J.R. stopped the car in the driveway, removed the ignition key, and walked around the car to open the door for Sue Ellen. John Ross noticed Christopher sitting outside, and ran over to him to ask him if he wanted to swim in the pool. Christopher said, "Yeah, let's go put on our swim trunks." The two boys raced into the house and upstairs. J.R. and Sue Ellen followed the boys into the house. Miss Ellie was walking downstairs, as they entered the foyer. Miss Ellie said, "I'm glad you're back, I've been trying to reach you all morning. Dr. Carroll has been calling for you from London, Sue Ellen. He says that it's imperative that he speaks with you. He asked if I would have you return his call as soon as you arrived back home. I wrote down the telephone number where he could be reached. It's there on the notepad, next to the phone." Sue Ellen said, "Thank you, Miss Ellie," and reached for the phone. J.R. said, "I wonder what he wants to talk to you about." Sue Ellen glanced at him and shrugged her shoulders and said, "I suppose we'll find out soon enough." Sue Ellen dialed the number Miss Ellie jotted down. She heard a voice say, "Dr. Carroll, Neurology, how may I help you?" Sue Ellen was surprised that he left her his office telephone number. She said, "Dr. Carroll, this is Sue Ellen Lockwood. You left a message for me to return your call." The doctor said, "Yes, Mrs. Lockwood, I have some news about your husband's condition." Sue Ellen smiled at J.R., hoping that he hadn't heard the reference to Don as her 'husband'. The doctor continued to speak, "Don is alert and cogent. Er, - he's talking. He wanted to know if you were aware of his condition, and if you had visited him while he was unconscious. I told him that you had been here, but that you had to leave to be with your son." Sue Ellen didn't say anything, and the doctor wondered if she was still on the line. He said, "Mrs. Lockwood?" Sue Ellen said, "Yes, I'm here. Has he asked about anyone else?" She wondered if Don had been informed about Miranda, and the sleeping pills she had intentionally given to him, to kill him. Dr. Carroll said, "Don would like to speak to you, if that's possible?" Sue Ellen covered the mouthpiece of the phone and whispered to J.R., "Don wants to talk to me, J.R. What should I say?" J.R. wanted to tell her to tell Don that he and his crazy sister could both go straight to Hell, but he said, "Have him call Harv Smithfield, unless you feel it's necessary to talk with him?" Sue Ellen whispered, "Thanks, you're not helping me at all." The doctor was waiting for a response when she said, "Dr. Carroll, would it be all right if I call you back in an hour, or so?" The doctor agreed, and hung up the phone.
J.R. stood by the banister with his arms folded across his chest. He said, "What does the good doctor want from you, Sugar?" Sue Ellen hesitated to tell him. She didn't want to upset him, nor did she want to say anything until they were in the confines of their bedroom. They walked upstairs. J.R. closed their bedroom door behind them, as they entered the room. J.R. said, "I got the feelin' that there was more to the conversation that you had with Dr. Carroll than you're tellin' me, Sugar?" Sue Ellen breathed in deep, then exhaled, and said, "Dr. Carroll told me that Don was asking if I had been to see him when he was unconscious." J.R.'s smile changed to a frown. J.R. said, "Good Lord, Sue Ellen, why in the world would that imbecile care whether you saw him, or not? You've been divorced for over a year." Sue Ellen stiffened, as the tone of J.R.'s voice sounded more like a growl than a conversational tone. She didn't want to fight with J.R. She merely answered his question. She stood tall and said, "That's precisely why I'm tellin' you this here and now. I wanted to know how you felt about this whole mess." J.R. looked at her and said, "How do you think I feel? The last person in the world I give a damn about is your ex-husband. What more does Don want from you?" Sue Ellen said, "He wants to talk to me, but, I wanted to . . . Never mind. You're in one of your stubborn moods, and I can't even talk to you when you're like that." J.R. relaxed his rigid posture, he didn't want to fight, either, but Don had his chance and he blew it. Sue Ellen turned to walk out of the bedroom, and go back downstairs, but J.R. reached for her arm. Sue Ellen stopped and lowered her head. J.R. realized that he had gone too far. He turned Sue Ellen around and saw the look in her eyes. She was hurt and angry. She cleared her throat to stifle the tears she knew were forming in her eyes and said, "I'm so tired of this entire mess, J.R. I can't take it any more." J.R. said, "If you think talkin' to Don would help you feel better, go right ahead. I just don't want you to get hurt, Sugar." Sue Ellen said, "No, you're probably right, Don would be better off if he communicated with me through Harv Smithfield, especially considerin' the situation with Miranda. He knows that she and I never did get along. He's likely to blame me for her incarceration.' J.R said, "Sue Ellen, listen to me. You've got to stop blamin' yourself for other people's problems. Miranda got herself thrown in jail. Hell, she tried to kill her own brother. You know there's no love lost between Bobby and me, but I'd never try to kill him."
Sue Ellen stood motionless, gazing out the bedroom window at the view of the ranch. She felt numb. She wanted J.R. to hold her, and tell her that everything would be fine. He sensed her isolation, and walked over to her. He put his arms around her and rested his chin on her shoulder. He said, "Sue Ellen, we've come so far, please, don't let this come between us?" Sue Ellen reached up and rubbed his arms with her hands. She said, "I don't want anything to come between us, J.R. I just don't know what to do." J.R. said, "I can't tell you what to do, Sue Ellen, but I can offer a suggestion." Sue Ellen leaned her head back against his shoulder and asked, "What? What is your suggestion?" He said, Turn around, and I'll show you." Sue Ellen turned her head as J.R. kissed her lips. He dropped his arms and rested them against her hips, then he pulled her deeper into his kiss. She managed a thin smile, and he said, "You can do better than that." He pulled her to him again, and kissed her deeper than before. She lifted her arms and placed them around his neck. J.R. walked her back toward the bed while he continued to kiss her. She asked, "Is this your suggestion?" He said, "It's a good start, don't ya think?" Sue Ellen said, "Give me just a minute, please?" She reached for the phone, to tell Dr. Carroll that if Don needed to contact her, he would do well to speak with her lawyer, first. She finished her phone conversation and grinned at J.R. He lifted his eyebrow and said, "Feel better?" She said, "No, but, I will when you finish what you started, Darlin'." J.R. smiled and reached for her hand.
The family had dinner on the veranda, by the pool. Clayton and Miss Ellie's anniversary was approaching, and Clayton asked Miss Ellie if she'd like a celebration party, or just dinner for two. Miss Ellie said, "What would you like to do? It's your anniversary, too." Clayton said, "Fine, then we'll have a celebration at the Oil Baron's. I'll call them in the morning and make dinner reservations." Miss Ellie leaned over and kissed Clayton's cheek. Sue Ellen quietly sat across from them at the table. J.R. watched her, wondering how he could help improve her mood. He spoke up, and said, "Clayton, how would you feel if we had a double celebration?" Clayton asked, "What do you mean, J.R.?" J.R. replied, "Well, we could have an anniversary dinner, and a pre-wedding dinner at the same time?" Sue Ellen looked at J.R., it was the first time he had mentioned their impending wedding for a couple of days. She was glad that he had brought it up. The morning had been such an emotional drain, and she needed something to elevate her mood. J.R. took Sue Ellen's hand and lifted it to his lips. He kissed her engagement ring, as he winked at her. Sue Ellen flashed him a surprised look. She whispered, "Thank you, J.R." He squeezed her hand and said, "It's settled then, we'll make a night of it." We can have dinner at the Oil Baron's, then we can go dancin' at that club we went to the other night, remember, Sugar?" Sue Ellen smiled and said. "I think you'll like the club. The atmosphere was wonderful."
Later, that evening, after everyone had gone into the house, J.R. and Sue Ellen stayed outside. He took Sue Ellen's hand and led her to the other side of the veranda. He put his arm around her waist, and started leading her in a dance. Sue Ellen said, "There's no music, J.R." J.R. started humming a song, causing her to loosen up, and laugh. He said, "That's more like the Sue Ellen I know and love." They danced to whatever tune J.R. hummed as the night progressed. Eventually, the two of them were standing arm in arm, under the stars. Sue Ellen said, "J.R., thank you, for everything." J.R. said, "Sue Ellen, the pleasure's all mine." She smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder. J.R. kissed the back of her head, as he put his other hand at the back of her neck and said, "Let's go upstairs and finish this last dance in our room." Sue Ellen lifted her head and looked into his eyes and tenderly kissed his lips. She quietly said, "I could get used to this." J.R. grinned, and said, "There's plenty more where that came from, Sugar," as they stopped dancing, and walked back inside the house . . .
