Dallas, Texas
June 1979
'Patient indicates she feels helpless, tired, sick, and guilty. Patient denies genuinely wishing to die but does not deny previously admitting to ideations.
Patient acknowledges feeling guilty about infidelity, believes the behaviour to be unintentional on her part. Patient indicates non-consensual contact occurred, was able to identify who this was with, what physically took place, where it happened, when it happened, and how she felt. Patient was unable to identify why she was targeted. Patient quick to blame herself, not easily dissuaded from this line of thought. Patient asked about seeing her husband four times during the conversation; permission for phone call granted.
Full report of alleged abuse detailed separately.
Assessment: Medium-high risk if discharged home, low risk of harm while inpatient. Continue to hold. Intensive follow-up with psychologist recommended.'
Jock read through the report, frowning. He didn't understand. It looked like Sue Ellen was telling the staff at Brooktree Psychiatric that what had happened between them wasn't something she'd wanted, which he knew wasn't true.
Sue Ellen was a woman, and he knew women. They didn't look, feel, or sound the way she had during their time together if they weren't having a good time. She'd had every opportunity to say no, to put a stop to things, but she hadn't. She'd opened herself to him and seemed to enjoy their connection. He figured she probably did feel guilty about committing adultery, but that was all he understood of her current feelings.
"How is she?"
Handing a sleeping John Ross over to him, Pamela asked about their other mutual concern, Sue Ellen.
"She sounds better than she was when she was admitted, but I don't know what to believe. They won't let me in to see her because it might interfere with her treatment," JR replied.
"How does Sue Ellen feel about that?" Pam asked.
"She's not thrilled."
Sue Ellen had cried over the phone, saying how much she missed him. Yet she hadn't made a fuss about the other restrictive measures in place, making him think she found it beneficial, even if it was hard on her.
"I suppose it's the best place for her, but I truly hope she isn't there too long," Pam said.
"It seems you and I agree on a lot recently," JR remarked.
"In this case, it's difficult not to," Pam replied.
Nodding, he controlled his response, not wanting to jeopardise the good rapport they'd built lately, especially when he needed her support. It was tough to admit, but with only Pamela and his mama aware of Sue Ellen's whereabouts and reasons for being there, he had few people to confide in and even fewer to ask for help. Mrs Reeves was paid to care for John Ross and knew better than to ask questions, but Pamela genuinely cared for the boy and empathised with him.
He wanted to rely more on his mama, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He was afraid her love for and loyalty to his daddy might resurface, making her act irrationally. His daddy had ruined a lot of things, and JR couldn't see an easy way forward.
"Daddy, I have to know, what happened?" Bobby asked.
Jock was cornered in his office again. Bobby showing up first thing in the morning was a surprise, and not a pleasant one.
"Now, Bob, that's personal. I don't know if I should say," Jock replied.
"I deserve to know why my family is breaking apart. It's not fair for me to live at Southfork while my wife, mama, brother, and daddy all whisper things I'm not supposed to hear. Tell me, why do you have that scar? Why have you been staying elsewhere? Why has JR taken little John? Why is mama upset? Where is Sue Ellen? And why does my wife not want to talk to me?"
Bobby always felt entitled to what he wanted, and that included information. His curiosity wasn't surprising.
"Pamela won't talk to you?" Jock asked, trying to deflect.
"That's not the most important question I had," Bobby shot back.
Bobby stared at him expectantly, so reluctantly, Jock gave in.
"You have to promise you won't judge. You know how you get," Jock warned.
"Daddy."
"Sue Ellen and I were lovers. JR and Miss Ellie are having a harder time with the news than I expected."
Infidelity always led to anger and heartbreak, but usually, those involved had each other to lean on. Unfortunately, Sue Ellen had been whisked away to Brooktree Psychiatric by JR, pressured into covering up what had really happened between them.
"Lovers?" Bobby's voice dripped with disbelief.
"I hear judgement," Jock said pointedly.
"I'm trying to keep an open mind," Bobby replied, shaking his head. He was as transparent as ever, he didn't approve. His body language said what he didn't say aloud.
"You should keep an open mind. I remember not long ago when Jenna Wade was back in your life," Jock retorted.
"That wasn't what it seemed," Bobby snapped, defensive. He could judge others, but didn't like being judged himself.
"Then you understand."
"Sue Ellen is JR's wife," Bobby reminded him.
"Sue Ellen was lonely and tense. I helped her."
In the short term, they'd helped each other, enjoying their moments together. Long term, Jock hoped they'd both have something to remember it by.
"Once?" Bobby asked.
"Let's not get into details," Jock said, brushing off the question.
"So, more than once," Bobby concluded.
It hadn't lasted long, Jock would have liked it to continue, but he had the memories, although it was unclear if anyone would allow him to enjoy them.
"I don't think this is a fair conversation to have with you," Jock said.
"I've heard enough."
Bobby held up his hand, ending the conversation. That worked just fine for him.