Dallas, Texas
April 1979
JR downed his drink in one gulp and waved at the stewardess for another. A drink might not calm his nerves, but it couldn't hurt.
"I'll go, but I want your assurance you'll stay away from my wife while I'm gone."
"You're paranoid, JR."
"Maybe so, but I want to hear it."
"You don't trust me?"
"Frankly, no."
"Perhaps you should look at why that is."
"I know why it is. Your past behaviour has made me wary."
"My past behaviour saved your wife's sanity and life."
"Stay away from Sue Ellen."
"Go and do your job, JR."
JR didn't trust his daddy as far as he could throw him when it came to Sue Ellen, but he could only push him so far. His daddy was president of Ewing Oil, and he was just vice president, there was a hierarchy, and he wasn't at the top. The risk of refusing one too many requests or challenging authority was very real, especially now with Bobby taking a more active role in the boardroom.
At home, he had a bit more leeway to make demands, though even then, he, Sue Ellen, and little John were living under his parents' roof. His mama's attempt to give Southfork back to Garrison had only reinforced the fact that their presence wasn't guaranteed. Sure, he could afford a suitable home a thousand times over, but he believed it was his right to raise his family on Southfork, so unless forced, he wasn't leaving.
Sometimes, though, he wondered if leaving might be the better option, if Sue Ellen would be more comfortable and if his daddy might finally understand boundaries if they led more separate lives. For now, he relied on Southfork being a generational property to keep his daddy from acting on his impulses, but even that wasn't something he could count on.
Touching Sue Ellen when invited was one thing, but continuing to do so when it was uninvited and unwelcome was another matter entirely. Living in the same house increased the opportunities for that, and his upcoming absence for the next couple of weeks had the potential to escalate things in a way he didn't want to imagine, and he knew Sue Ellen wouldn't want to endure.
If his daddy could just be the man he was supposed to be, they'd have no problems. But it seemed his daddy had shaped his entire life around being the boss, and he wasn't prepared to answer to anyone about his intentions.
Pamela had said she came to check on her after the hospital admission, but now that she had little John in her arms, the real reason for her visit was clear.
Pamela might not be a happy Ewing wife, but she had grown quite attached to the Ewing baby and seemed to miss him, perhaps more than she missed her own husband. At one point, it had upset Sue Ellen to think Pamela might have a Ewing baby of her own, but now she realised how selfish that thought was. Pamela adored children, even Lucy, who, admittedly, was a young woman now. Pamela deserved a baby of her own; she'd make a wonderful mother.
For now, Pamela would have to settle for being an aunt, since a baby didn't seem to be on the horizon for her. She and Bobby weren't exactly sharing a bed or a life anymore. But whether it was as an aunt or a mother, it didn't seem to matter to Pamela, the love she had for John Ross wasn't limited by their lack of biological connection.
Pamela was a good friend, too. She genuinely asked how Sue Ellen was doing and listened to her answer, showing she cared about how things had been and how they were now.
Sue Ellen wasn't going to meddle in Bobby's marriage, but her opinion was firm: Bobby would be foolish to let Pamela go.
Sending JR off to audit a selection of wells across the state and Bobby to investigate delays in Houston, Southfork was immediately quieter at night.
Pamela's surprise visit threw a wrench into part of his plan. Her appearance at the dinner table was a genuine surprise, especially with her husband nowhere in sight. Still, it was pleasant to see Sue Ellen happy, and little John was in good spirits around the Barnes woman. It made Jock realise that his wariness of her was likely more influenced by who her family was than by who she was.
Even Miss Ellie seemed to be in a good mood, her usual fussing redirected to Pamela and little John. Although she stayed up later than usual, she still retired to bed before him, as she often did now, likely to avoid the intimacy they'd once shared.
Tonight, it was easier to observe Sue Ellen, she was entertained, amused, and distracted. She looked happy, and that made him happy. Soon enough, she'd be even happier, but for now, Pamela's presence was brightening her day just fine.