Dallas, Texas
August 1979
JR was exhausted and probably looked terrible, but as he picked at his tasteless breakfast, it struck him that his mama didn't look too good either.
His daddy had never really left their lives, not entirely, but the distance he'd been keeping had been closing for some time now. Surely, that had something to do with how his mama seemed lately.
It disgusted him, and he couldn't imagine she felt any differently, though they'd never talked about it in plain terms. The very thought was disturbing, but even worse were the consequences, real, looming, and damning. He hadn't told anyone about them, partly because it was humiliating, partly because it was shameful.
But mostly, he hadn't said anything because if Sue Ellen's appointment in Houston later today went as planned, those consequences might be eliminated soon enough.
If he ever confided in anyone, it'd be Pamela. She'd been a real friend to Sue Ellen during her recent crisis. But Sue Ellen hadn't seemed eager to lean on Pamela this time. Mostly, JR suspected, because she couldn't trust she'd get the support she needed, not considering Pamela's history of loss and Sue Ellen's own role in inducing one.
No, Sue Ellen wanted rid of her problem, and JR would do everything in his power to make it happen.
"We'll take it," Jock said.
He had decided the moment the leasing agent showed him inside but waited until he'd seen the master bedroom and the nursery before confirming his interest.
"Yes, sir. Six or nine months?" the leasing agent asked, pen hovering over his clipboard.
"Six to start," Jock replied.
He'd have preferred to buy, of course, but he couldn't afford the kind of paper trail a purchase would leave, not at this point in time. Once Sue Ellen gave birth to his son, they could make their re-entrance into society. Back to Southfork. But until then, a rental property would have to do.
"Welcome home," the agent said with a smile. "We'll arrange the lease and get it to you by the end of business tomorrow. You can move in any time after that."
Jock didn't bother with the paperwork. Pulling an envelope from his pocket, he handed it to the man. "I don't have time for all that. This should cover the duration... and this," he added, sliding a smaller envelope on top, "is for your time."
The usual effect applied. Problems disappeared like smoke on the wind.
"We'll have the keys ready this afternoon," the agent said, his smile widening as he pocketed the envelopes. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you."
Jock shook his hand, sealing the deal. Another task checked off his list, and his confidence surged. If this had gone so smoothly, he figured, the next task would too.
Houston, Texas
September 1979
He'd never had a strong opinion on hospitals or clinics, at least, not until he and Sue Ellen started attending regular appointments with Doctor Carter and his colleagues. It was there that his general dislike for places like this one began. Later came Sue Ellen's self-induced miscarriage, her other admissions, and his daddy's hospital stay, back before he'd lost all respect for him. Those experiences had cemented his feelings for good.
"Mr Ewing?"
JR looked up, his stomach twisting in anxious knots. He'd been waiting for news, hoping it was all over, that the ordeal was done. But the way the doctor approached him, something about the stiff, careful posture, sent chills down his spine.
"Is it done?" he asked, his voice tight.
The doctor hesitated. "I'm sorry, sir. We lost them."
The words hung in the air, heavy and incomprehensible.
"Excuse me?" JR's brows furrowed. The meaning didn't quite register.
"The procedure was successful," the doctor began, his tone flat and clinical. "But Mrs Ewing bled. She haemorrhaged."
JR shook his head, his chest tightening. "No. You're lying." His voice cracked as he stared at the man in front of him. This couldn't be real. It wasn't possible. Sue Ellen couldn't be dead. She just couldn't.
"I'm afraid not," the doctor said softly. "I'm very sorry for your loss."
JR's throat felt dry. He struggled to swallow. "I want to see my wife," he demanded, his tone sharper now, desperate. Breathing or not, he needed to see her. Sue Ellen hated being alone, especially lately. If she was left by herself for too long, she'd be scared, confused.
"That won't be possible at this time," the doctor replied, his voice calm but firm.
"Why not?" JR's eyes narrowed.
"It wouldn't be appropriate to bring family in at this point. You'll see her in time."
JR's instincts kicked in, and alarm bells began to ring in his head. The doctor's words were detached, distant. Something wasn't right.
For one, Sue Ellen was supposed to be seen by a female doctor today, he was sure of it. For another, the man standing before him was still masked, his face obscured as though he'd just come out of surgery. Normally, the doctors here would remove their masks to speak with grieving families. This wasn't standard, not even close.
Something was very, very wrong, and JR knew it wasn't just the claim that his wife was gone.
Dallas, Texas
Jock stood in the doorway, watching her sleep. The change in her state came gradually. She stirred, rolled over, and slowly opened her eyes, squinting against the light.
"Mmm," she murmured, her hand moving to her head.
Seeing her awake, he crossed the room to sit on the edge of the bed, holding out a glass of water.
"Welcome back," Jock said, his voice low but firm.
She'd been asleep for hours, and while she needed more rest to fully recover, he couldn't resist the chance to talk. He'd missed talking to her.
Her eyes fluttered open fully, recognition dawning as she heard his voice. Warily, she sat up and accepted the glass he was offering.
"Jock? Where am I? Where's JR?" Sue Ellen asked, her tone tinged with confusion and concern.
"JR isn't here," he replied, his jaw tightening. "JR isn't good for you or our boy. He's a negative influence. What you need is fresh air, and my care."
"Care?" She stared at him, her voice rising slightly. "Jock, I want to go home."
Her reaction was exactly what he'd predicted. She was beginning to piece things together, but it didn't matter. He had planned for this.
"To Southfork?" he asked calmly.
"Sure," she said, her tone urgent. "Southfork, Brooktree, anywhere. Just take me home."
"We'll go back soon enough," Jock assured her. He meant it. They would return in time, but not until he was certain she was free from the negative influences of the rest of the family.
"When?" she pressed.
"In a little while," he replied simply.
"I don't understand any of this." She put her hand to her forehead again, her distress evident. That was the last thing he wanted.
"You're tired," he said gently. "Why don't you sleep a little longer?"
"I'm not tired," she snapped, her voice sharper now. "I'm confused, and my head hurts."
Jock reached over to the nightstand, retrieving a small pill he'd prepared for exactly this scenario. He held it out to her, his expression unyielding.
"Take this," he instructed firmly, "and lie down. Everything will be better after you rest."
Sue Ellen hesitated, her gaze flicking between the pill and his face. But eventually, she obeyed, swallowing it with a sip of water. He guided her gently back down onto the pillow, pulling the sheet up over her.
"There now," he murmured, brushing a kiss against her cheek. Then, satisfied she would rest, he rose and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
Houston, Texas
"This isn't for me."
"Yes, sir. Your wife was cremated."
The man, a completely different staff member from the one JR had dealt with earlier, extended an urn toward him. The situation was bizarre, and the insistence in the man's voice only added to JR's growing disbelief.
"You're lying. This isn't my wife."
JR's mind raced. Firstly, he was confident they couldn't cremate Sue Ellen without his permission. Secondly, he was certain this hospital didn't even handle cremations, it was a women's facility, not set up for such a thing. And thirdly, there had never been a need for cremation, because Sue Ellen wasn't dead.
"I assure you, sir, this is Mrs Sue Ellen Ewing. I'm sorry for your loss."
The man set the urn down on the magazine table beside them. Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away briskly, clearly trying to avoid confrontation. His attempt was successful, but it wouldn't be for anyone else.
JR's gaze followed the retreating figure.
"My wife is not dead! These are not her ashes!" JR's voice thundered down the corridor, sharp and commanding. His hands clenched at his sides, his chest heaving with fury. "This hospital is hiding something, and I will find out what the hell is going on!"
Though he restrained himself from chasing after the man, JR had no intention of holding back in any other sense. Whatever this was, it wouldn't end here.