"You're being bull-headed, J.R. and there's no need for it," Bobby growled, apparently aggravated by his brother's decision to leave Southfork. In his wildest dreams, he didn't dare to imagine that he would be the only Ewing son left on the ranch; J.R. was too power-hungry to allow such an ending.
"Now, Bob, I don't have time to argue with you. We have a flight to catch," J.R. reprimanded his younger brother. "I thought this was what you wanted anyhow."
"You know damn well this isn't what I wanted," Bobby appealed his brother's sensibility. "Can't you see how devastated mama is?" J.R. nonchalantly searched his jacket pockets for passports and gate passes while Raoul faithfully transported the suitcases onto the drive where the family had gathered for the farewell. "Have you even given Sue Ellen the slightest thought, or how all of this will affect John Ross? You can't exile the family because you don't like the way things are! Cancel your flight, J.R., you and I can talk about this like adults."
"Bobby, I've made my feelings crystal clear on the matter," J.R. shrugged off his brother's attempted compromise and wandered outside.
"Kiss grandma goodbye!" Sue Ellen passed the hapless toddler to Miss Ellie, who hugged the little boy to her chest.
"I'll miss you so much, John Ross! Will you miss grandma, too?" His baby babbles responded and Miss Ellie laughed, enough to ward off the watery-eyes. Pam snuck her arms around John Ross and cradled him into the backseat while Miss Ellie guided Sue Ellen from the commotion. She pondered how deeply her son had considered Sue Ellen's welfare. Since John Ross' birth, their relationship had become a battlefield and it was painfully obvious that Sue Ellen wasn't emotionally equipped to match J.R. in the war. "Are you sure this is what you really want, Sue Ellen?"
"Of course it is!" Her tone was one of unbreakable confidence, though Sue Ellen was anything but. "Don't you worry, Miss Ellie, we'll be home before you know it." That promise warranted little merit for the family matriarch; J.R. had been immovable on the foundation that unless Bobby returned to the title of company president back to him, their 'trip' would be much more permanent.
"Just you remember to take care of yourself," Miss Ellie's concern for her daughter-in-law remained, "My grandbabies, too." The sadness of the farewell was multiplied by the additional announcement of Sue Ellen's condition and Miss Ellie prayed J.R. and Bobby would resolve their feud before Sue Ellen laboured another Ewing into the world. With Gary and Val in California, Miss Ellie's heart ached at the further division of their family.
Jock watched from a safe distance as Miss Ellie embraced Sue Ellen with a heavy heart and scowled. Temper tantrums weren't J.R.'s style and his sudden decision to uproot his wife and child from Southfork had certainly been unforeseen but Jock didn't doubt his namesake would return home, most likely with his tail between his legs. The impulsivity of the decision rendered it destined to fail, especially since his son characteristically strategized every move. Jock firmly patted his eldest son on the back, "I hope you know what you're doing, J.R.."
"Yes, sir." J.R nodded his head, in confirmation. "We'll call when we get there."
J.R. and Sue Ellen said their final goodbyes, though J.R. was noticeably disconnected from his father and brother. As the driver followed instruction to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Bobby sadly bowed his head. In spite of his external bravado, he wasn't sure he possessed the capability to run Ewing Oil solo. His brow furrowed, as his mother audibly cried, "They'll be home soon, mama. Besides, after all they've been through the past few months, some time away from Southfork might do them the world of good."
The family patriarch decided not to dwell and gruffly broke the silence, "Come on, Bobby, we've got business to discuss."
While father and son retreated inside, Pam cloaked an arm around her mother-in-law's shoulders and walked her to the patio. "Bobby's right, you know, J.R. and Sue Ellen have had a difficult time since John Ross was born." Ironically, Sue Ellen's affair with Cliff had been the least of their marital problems. "You know how people in Dallas like to talk. For once, I'm in agreement with J.R.; it'll be good for them to be away from the controversy this new pregnancy will bring."
"You're right, of course," Miss Ellie exhaled heavily, slightly disappointed that the situation had hit her so hard. "It's just... J.R. didn't even say where they were going."
"I wouldn't worry, Miss Ellie. If I know J.R., he has something up his sleeve." Pam would never underestimate the eldest Ewing son and the lengths he would strive to obtain more power and control. Like Sue Ellen's addiction to alcohol, J.R. was insatiable for both - the one individual Pam worried for was John Ross, caught in the midst of his parents' dysfunction. "Think of this as the calm before the storm, because you can bet that's what it'll be. When J.R. comes home, he'll want his position back at Ewing Oil and I'm not so sure Bobby will relinquish it that easily." The strain of the company on her marriage became evident and Miss Ellie shot Pam a sympathetic smile. If Bobby couldn't find an appropriate balance between his work and family life, a balance which seemed to come so natural to Jock, then Miss Ellie found it difficult to be so critical of J.R..
"Well, maybe you're right but I have a feeling J.R. will be preoccupied with the new baby." Miss Ellie ushered away the negative cloud of conversation, "Perhaps we should decorate a new nursery for them. I can't think of anything nicer for them to come home to!"
Pam mirrored her mother-in-law's smile, if not her enthusiasm, "I'm sure Sue Ellen would appreciate that, Miss Ellie. The Store has a whole floor dedicated to mothers and babies and Liz mentioned new stock arrives at the end of the month. I can hold some back before it goes on sale, if you'd like?"
"Alright! Thank you, Pam." Her previous sadness evaporated into mild excitement of the eventual future. At least, a new project would require her full attention and Miss Ellie could only assume the period of J.R. and Sue Ellen's absence would pass by quicker in doing so.