Out behind the garage of South Fork, Bo and J. T. play skins against two other young guys in muscle shirts at basketball, the hot Texas sun leaving them sweating profusely, the hard play leaving them bent over breathing deeply.
Ellie walks up to Lucy by the pool reading a book and says, “What’s with the rainbow tribe?”
“What?”
“Aaron is supposed to be working on investing his money, not playing games. Every time I turn around he’s got a gang of friends over playing ball or something.”
“Well actually, if you really want to know, the boy in the orange shorts, that’s J. T. Rosemont, Jake Rosemont’s youngest son, so I’d say that he’s doing a bit of both, working him into his friends group. And the other two boys are Dia-Li Chi and George Lockwood, connections to two other friends of John Ross’s.”
“Why, I’ll be damned.”
“Probably, but not for underestimating your brother.”
In an enormous corner office overlooking the Dallas skyline out floor to ceiling windows, Jake welcomes Bo. “You’ve been filled in on the explosion?”
“From the news and what you send me, but I’ve still got a lot of questions.”
“So do I but at the moment no answers beyond what I sent you. But, I want you to be the point man. The face of the company.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“I want you to go down there, talk to families and that people that got hurt. I’m sending you a team to take care of anything and everything. No budget. You’ll also have to talk to the media.”
“Why me?”
“You’re a Ewing. You’re likable.”
“Yeah but I don’t really know anything about what’s going on and I don’t work for Ewing Industries.”
“No but again you’re a Ewing and this just might be more impressive to John Ross than any portfolio development you can show off. Show him that you can handle a crisis.”
“Oh I see.”
Lucy sits in the living room of South Fork talking to a reporter with note pad and recorder on the table between them. “Thank you Betsy for taking the time to speak to me.”
“Of course Lucy. I appreciate the opportunity to be able to exclusively write about the Clayton Farlow Foundation. The size of it’s endowment makes it a significant player in Dallas.”
“It does. Yes. And, I want to assure you that we are sending down a team to Galveston to help with the Ewing Industries off shore explosion. We’re not affiliated with Ewing Industries in anyway, but both the foundation and the company are affiliated with various members of the Ewing family and we want to first and foremost make sure the people hurt in this tragedy are taken care of and also that any environmental damage is mitigated.”
“Yes this has been horrific news. Do you have anything you can tell me about the explosion?”
“Nothing at all, nothing the media hasn’t reported. Like I said the foundation is not affiliated with the company and I don’t play any role in the company or own any piece of it. That does bring me to the second reason for asking you here. The foundation was set up by my grandmother’s second husband, Clayton Farlow, but the largest single contributor has been the oil from the South Fork Ranch, which is Ewing oil. And since my grandmother’s passing, I’ve been sort of on my own, though we have a very competent advisory board. My grandmother, Eleanor Ewing, did have three children and I thought each of the three should be represented on the board, so joining me will be my cousin Christopher, he’s my Uncle Bobby’s only son, and my cousin Aaron, he’s my Uncle J. R.’s youngest son. As such, I thought it better to also change the name of the foundation to the Ewing Foundation and part of that be the Clayton Farlow Fund focused on children as he intended.”
“So starting?”
“Today actually.”
“OK, so the Ewing Foundation retains the original mission you set up, that is supporting economic improvement, education equality, democratic expansion, world peace and environmental health?”
"Yes.”
“Doesn’t it seem a bit odd that a family enriched by oil and a foundation still filling it’s endowment with oil revenue, be so concerned with environmental health, especially given the recent events in the Gulf of Mexico?”
“It does. But I assure you, no family is working harder to replace oil and all fossil fuels than the Ewing Family. John Ross has pushed Ewing Industries into the development of the world’s most advanced batteries. And like all technologies, batteries have issues as well, regarding waste and mining, but again electric cars are a marked improvement over internal combustion engine. My cousin Christopher’s Ewing Process for extracting methane, again, lots of issues, but a marked improvement. We’re not sitting back and championing big oil, or the lies of big oil, we’re fighting for a sustainable future while living with the realities of today. My cousin Bo has got himself involved in electric cars. He’s a huge advocate of mass transit too. You know he moved in here recently, South Fork being the family home, and you know his complaint is we’re too rural here to do anything but drive. And frankly he’s not a fan of driving. We’re making a difference with a realistic view of things. Years ago my father jumped into harnessing tidal energy. It wasn’t realistic at the time. We have to be realistic as we push forward for change. But we must push forward. The renaming of the foundation helps make that point, I believe. One day the Ewing Foundation won’t be making any money off of oil rights and that day can’t come soon enough for me.”
The back door of a Rolls Royce is held open by a driver and Ellie steps out walking up to a film crew. She says, “What’s everyone standing around for?”
“Waiting for that cloud to move on,” the man in the director’s chair says.”
“Well that’s annoying. So you just have to stand around and wait?”
“Pretty much. Listen, I wanted to talk to you about the changes to the ending.”
“You should probably direct your questions to the producers.”
“OK cut the crap. I know the changes came from you, and that you don’t want your name in the credits but you’re the only producer that matters. You changed the villain to look like a hero in order to justify your father and his business types, a sort of end justifying the means. It ruins the story.”
“I beg to differ. People like a guy makes good story. They love the tough guy who does whatever he has to, to succeed. In fact, most of them wish they could be that guy.”
“That guy is morally bankrupt. A lot of people get hurt between here and your contrived ending.”
“What’s the saying about egg shells getting broken?”
“These are people we’re talking about. The original story, he gets his comeuppance. It’s the whole lesson the author was trying to get across.”
“I didn’t see it that way.”
“Of course you did.”
Ellie smiles. “You know you’re cute when you’re trying to be strong. Just do what you’re paid to do. Make that cloud move, make the movie, and get Ian an Oscar.”
“Or I can walk away.”
“Or you can walk away. Just don’t forget, our actions have consequences. Don’t go whining later on when yours come to you, OK?”
Bo attempts to talk to a gathering of journalists in front of a hospital in Galveston. He seems very nervous and keeps tripping over his words and painfully obvious in trying not to say too much when asked about the cause of the explosion. Aaron steps up and says, “What my cousin is trying to say is that we’re here for the families. The people inside this hospital are suffering and they’re part of our family. As for what happened, we will get to the bottom of it, but I assure you that no one here is the cause. Safety is Ewing Industries number one concern.”
The crowd in front of them calmer to ask the next question talking over each other, waving about, shoving their microphones forward.
Aaron says, “I’m sorry, unless you have something not relate to the cause, I think we’re done here. We don’t have anything we can say and we’ve got a lot to do inside.”
“Is there oil coming up from the sea floor?”
Bo says, “We don’t know. There’s a team working on that right now and as soon as they know, you’ll know. We’re ready either way to address the results.”
Aaron says, “And the Ewing Foundation has people out on the shore to jump on what happens. One of the missions of the Ewing Foundation is environmental health. We’ll take care of whatever we need to, to make this right.”
Again they calmer again.
Aaron says, “I’m sorry. Bo has been trying to get back to the families inside. As soon as we know more, we’ll be back out to talk to tell you, but right now our place is with them.”
Bo and Aaron walk back into the hospital, across the lobby and to the elevator. Inside the elevator Bo says, “Thank you. How did you know that there’s people looking into oil leaking out?”
“I didn’t. So you better get ahold of Jake and tell him right now to send them down, if he hasn’t already.”
“Oh yeah sure. You’re right.” Bo begins to text while saying, “And the Ewing Foundation?”
“Lucy changed the name of the Farlow Foundation to Ewing. First thing she sent monitors out to watch the shore line.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“This isn’t about building a company, or running one either, this is about appeasement. That’s all we really have to worry about right now.”
In a family waiting room of the hospital, families cry while other’s waiting patiently. Bo and Aaron walk in to find J. T. holding an older woman in hysterics over losing her husband and not being able to go on.
Ellie meets Jake in his office. “Just give me answers,” she says walking in, in a huff.
“I assume you mean the explosion,” he says standing up from his desk.
“Drop the crap Rosemont. What the hell is going on?”
“We haven’t ascertained the cause of the explosion but my son and your brothers are down there trying to help the families. Five have died so far and we’re arranging the funerals.”
“Bo and Aaron?”
“Yes.”
“They don’t work for Ewing Industries.”
“No they don’t but Aaron can handle this. People like him. And that’s what I need down there right now. And Bo needs to watch. Sometimes a manager forgets how important an appeaser is in times of crisis. They need to learn to work together.”
“I would agree. My father use to say that to me all the time, no fighting, just get along, appreciate each other’s role.”
“And you have a role too, much like John Ross your thoroughly unlikeable, but your two brothers do seem to like you, and they trust you. Let’s hope you live up to their faith in you.”
A helicopter lands in the pasture behind South Fork.
Bo and Aaron walk in the back of the house, thoroughly exhausted, into the entry hall where Lucy says from the living room, “I wasn’t sure when or if you’d be home, but I can get Sophia to make you dinner, if you’re hungry.”
The two step into the living room archway. Bo says, “No I’m going to head up to bed. I need to see Amy. Thank you though,” and he turns around and leaves up the stairs.
“Aaron?”
“Yeah, I’m starving.”
Lucy picks up here phone and texts while talking to Bo. “I heard about this idea of you moving into the cottage.”
“Oh, yeah, something Ellie brought up. I told her I’d think about it. I mean, would be nice to have my own space.”
“The cottage wasn’t John Ross’s rule. Besides, when and if Bo needs the room for his children, I’ll move out and you can have my room, our grandmother’s room.”
“Oh. Oh I see.”
“Besides, Amy’s already talking about the sort of house she wants to build on the property. So that’ll leave this house all to you.”
“Or Ellie.”
“To you and your children.”
“I don’t know if I’ll have children.”
“Well, we’ll see.”
The housekeeper walks in with a TV tray and a plate of food. Aaron sits down and she places it in front of him.
“Thank you.”
Lucy watches.
In their bedroom, Bo leans on the bed and over to kiss Amy who smiles and turns over, waking up, “Is everything OK?”
“No. No it’s not. We’ll head back first thing tomorrow morning . . . Oh damn.”
“What?”
“I forgot, I’ve got a meeting tomorrow morning. I’ll talk to Aaron. Are you OK?”
“I’m OK. Lucy and I worked on wedding plans today. I want to get this done before I start to show.”
“You’ll be fine.”
“John Ross called me today,” Amy says.
“And?”
“He’s excited. Pamela is too. I asked them, if it’s a boy, could we name him John Ross the forth.”
“And?”
“They both agreed. They seemed very happy about the idea. Pamela was saying they’ll be back for the birth and maybe they’ll stick around and help out.”
“Help out?”
“Well when I go back to work. Lucy’s offered me a job with the foundation. Part time advisory regarding education grants.”
“But you work in an art museum.”
“Well I also have my teaching certificate.”
“Just seems like a lot to take on, two jobs, a baby.”
“It’ll be fine. I don’t have to take care of the house. Lucy has that covered and honestly, I kind of like it, at least until we build our own place, but I’m in no hurry. And Pamela’s willing to help with the baby. It won’t be a problem. Not like you’re gonna quit working, are you?”
“No. And I don’t’ expect you to either.”
“So, I think it would be great having Pamela to help. She’s always wanted children.”
guess if you think it’s a good idea.”
A sign next to a driveway cut into a forest off a major highway reads ‘Trident.’ The camera rising up above the threes, a massive office complex sprawls across several red roofed, four to five story buildings, surrounded by woods.
In an office Lucas is introduced to J. Paul Wendell and vice versa. They shake hands. “Please take a seat,” Paul says as he sits behind the desk. “Thank you for meeting with me.”
“Well your invite was intriguing.”
“I bet it was. I hope your flight was enjoyable.”
“Uneventful. Can we cut to the chase?”
“Did you verify my revelation with your parents?”
“I did. Though we’re all curious as to why you would know anything about it.”
“Let’s just say I’m digging really deep all around the Ewing family. As you’re here, I’m assuming you have some interest in my proposal.”
“I’m not sure what you want me for. You don’t seem to lack resources, at least not as to where I can help.”
“Have you heard your cousin, John Ross, is dividing up his empire?”
“I’ve heard John Ross Ewing is doing something like that, among his siblings. As to being cousins, I don’t really know them, nor do I want to.”
“He built a fortune leaving your father bankrupt.”
“My father is far from bankrupt. If you’re referring to Bobby Ewing, I don’t know him either and I really don’t want to now.”
“He’s your father.”
“He’s my father’s step brother, a very big and wide step. He lives in California. We live in Europe. My father never spoke very highly about J. R. Ewing, but as he’s dead, I’m not sure what that has to do with John Ross or Bobby or me for that matter.”
“Don’t you think John Ross would want to know he has another cousin out there? He’s found three siblings, which he has taken fully into his family. Don’t you think he’d welcome you? You’re here. You must have some interest.”
“John Ross Ewing is worth thirty-five billion dollars.”
“And he’s in search of an heir. On the one hand he has his sister, Ellie, I’d put nothing past her. On the other, his brothers, Bo, he’s just a good guy, too good, too weak, and Aaron, Lucy’s favorite. Then there could be you.”
“Why would John Ross consider me over his brothers and sister?”
“He actually knows you better, doesn’t he?”
“He knows Chris better than me, he’s not in the running.”
“True, but they have a past.”
“You know way too much about my family.”
“I know that everything Jock Ewing lived and died for is in the hands of John Ross Ewing the third and you were cut out. I know Bo’s successful at investing and Aaron’s wet under the ears.”
“And Ellie?”
“I know how she makes her money.”
“Which is?”
“She attended a private boarding school in Switzerland and then the Sorbonne, majoring in networking. She makes arrangements for people trying to buy things.”
“Keep going.”
“Weapons.”
“Are you serious? Ellie Ewing is an arms dealer?”
“I’ve spent a very long time collecting information on the Ewing clan. I’m a very patient man. You’re very smart yourself, acting as a perfunctory middle man who one day will inherit a share of an impressive chunk of change that you’ll share with the rest of the Krebs clan, but isn’t something missing? Christopher’s share of Ewing Alternative Energy is making him a billionaire several times over.”
“I thought he was a Cal Tech professor.”
“He is. Nice little life on the West Fork Ranch with his parents and his son, but he owns a substantial share of Ewing Alternative, and you heard about that off shore rig explosion.”
“Oh course.”
“There’s no oil leaking into the Gulf. That’s methane gas. The Ewing’s are finally putting the Ewing Process into play, and pissing off some very powerful people.”
“Why would anyone care about the Ewing Process?”
“You raise the supply of natural gas significantly and you lower the price significantly. That explosion was no accident. Once the Ewing’s get that up and going, Chris will have more money coming in then he’ll know what to do with. J. R.’s kids have Ewing Industries. Gary’s kids are even worth billions, well married, in the case of Lucy several times, and she runs that foundation with more billions in it. And you? You’re not just one of Ray Kreb’s sons. You’re Bobby Ewing’s son. Discarded to the illegitimate side of the family so poor Pam isn’t upset by Bobby’s little bastard. So that’s why you’re here. Why I invited you. And why you accepted. I want to put you into play, to bring down the Ewing’s, once and for all, from the inside out.”
Bo watches a single car race around a track with several engineers by his side. He says, “Almost twenty-four hours?”
“And at top speeds.”
“I’ve got a meeting next week with the event planners. We’re looking at a Michigan LeMans, a twenty-four-hour race up the center of Michigan to the Keweenaw Peninsula. We’ll get the attention of the world and show off how our electric car can compete in a mixed race, over a long-haul trip.”
They continue to watch the laps without the sound of a roaring engine but the wisp of a two hundred miles per hour electric motor.
Bo says, “We need faster. We can average one fifty, one sixty, but we need faster top speeds.”
“We’ve got to two ten.”
“I want it over two fifty.”
Amy walks into her room, stumbling, flinging the door closed behind her, unable to keep her eyes open, stretching to grab the shades, pulling then down, stumbling to the next window to do the same, before falling into bed, face here, holding her head.
The family gathers for cocktails in the living room where Lucy is joined by Jake Rosemont. She hands him a scotch on the rocks. “I remember John Ross kept this tucked away for you.”
“Thank you Lucy.”
“Of course.
“Everyone should be here soon. I’ll give you cocktails to talk business, but that’s it.”
“I understand. How is the planning for wedding going?”
“Very good. Amy’s not been feeling well, so I’ve done most of the work, but all the decisions are hers. Of course Ellie’s been too busy to but in.”
Jake chuckles. “That’s probably for the best. And preparing for the baby?”
“We’ve been turning John Ross’s room into a nursery. Imagine that, J. R.’s old room for his grandchild. I hate to think how happy it would make him.”
“I heard he’s got an architect building a cottage for him on one of the lots you set aside.”
“Yes. Something else keeping me busy. He turned over the whole project to me. It’s on the old Kreb’s property, where the big fire a few years ago took out all the buildings. He likes the idea because it created sort of a blank canvas. He’s hired a landscape architect too. It should be very nice when it’s all done.”
“And the vineyards?”
“My sister and her husband come out next week to look things over. I’m hoping to get her to build a house herself sometime in the near future.”
“Everything’s coming along nicely.”
“I think so,” Lucy says just as Ellie walks in from the front.
“What’s coming along nicely?” Ellie asks.
“The work on John Ross’s cottage.”
“Oh good. It’ll be nice to have him and Pamela here with us. I hear you’re moving out into the cottage outback.”
“If Bo needs it for another nursery, but no plans any time soon.”
“Well you might like it. It’s more private.”
“Oh I don’t mind the lack of privacy.”
“It’s just I saw some stuff being moved in there this morning before I left and I thought.”
“I’m turning it into an art studio. I’m taking up painting. Amy’s going to work with me.”
“Oh how nice. Look at that, how well you’re getting along. So Jake, you needed to talk to us.”
“As soon as Bo and Aaron are here. It’s about the explosion. We’ve got evidence that is was arson.”
“Evidence. Like a terrorist group?”
“I don’t know, but it is our first rig to use the Ewing Process.”
“Chris’s methane extraction process?”
“That’s right. There are some that don’t want to see it go on line.”
“Like who?”
“That’d just be guess work at this point.”
“What, the Russians, the Saudi’s, the Venezuelans? Not hard to come up with a list. Trident?”
“Good list,” Jake says as Aaron walks in from the back with J.T.
Aaron says, “Hey Jake, I didn’t know you were gonna be with us. Look who I brought with me.”
J.T. says, “Dad.”
Jake says, “J.T.,” neither sounding too friendly.
Lucy says, “Oh J.T. what a pleasant surprise. Your dad and I were talking about the Oil Barron’s Ball earlier, and I mentioned how you’re putting together a private train up from Houston you believe you can get down to two and half hours with cocktails on board.”
“I’m working on it. Once the high speed rail is up, we’ll be down to an hour and half, but the private cars I’m looking at will be a lot more comfortable than any plane. They’re like living rooms. And, they’ll be pulled by their own engine, nothing getting it it’s way and non-stopped, I’m hoping it will be something special.”
At that point, Bo walks in from the back with Lucas, “Look who I ran into today.”
“Lucas,” Lucy says with excitement and makes her way over to hug him. “I didn’t know you were in town. How are you?”
“I’m doing well. I was in the states on business and thought I’d swing down to Dallas. I was at the Cattleman’s Club with Bo walked in celebrating some new car of his.”
“Well you should have called and planned to stay at South Fork for a visit. You are staying now aren’t you?”
“I hadn’t planned on it. I’ve got a room in the city.”
“Oh no. We’ll have your stuff brought out here. John Ross’s room is empty. You’ll stay there. Jake this is my cousin Lucas Krebs. Lucas, Jake Rosemont, he sort of runs everything for John Ross. And This is Jake’s son J.T. And, I don’t think you’ve meet Aaron. I don’t think you’ve ever meet Ellie, J.R.’s daughter, either. Ellie this is Lucas, Ray’s oldest son.”
“Ray?” Ellie says.
“Your Uncle Ray.”
“Oh Maggie’s brother. I’ve meet your sister in D.C. on several occasions. She does some lobbying work for Ewing Industries and others. Now I’ve meet her mother, a former Secretary of Energy and current Pennsylvania Senator, but I haven’t meet the second Mrs. Krebs and any of you all.”
Lucy says, “Well there’s Ray and Jenna, they live in Switzerland, and their daughter Charlie, and Lucas here, and their youngest, Alex. Oh Lucas, you look well. You’ll have to tell us all about yourself. What you’ve been up to. You know the South Fork Cattle Company recently bought the old Wade property. They’re in the process of turning over the land to the Ewing Foundation to protect it. It’s an arrangement we have with the company, they run cattle operations, we least them the land for a dollar a year. It works out well for everyone.”
“I’ve heard the Ewing’s have gone green. At least that’s what Margret tells me.”
“Well not entirely,” Bo says, “But we’re getting there.”
“Yes. You should have seen Bo celebrating his electric car today. They were all excited to have hit a 24 hour run without having to stop and recharge.”
“It’s a lot of batteries and I wouldn’t call that very green, but it’s not fossil fuels.”
Lucy says, “Well congratulations. Sounds like something to celebrate.”
Then they hear a fall in the entry hall and all rush in to find Amy having fallen down the stairs, laying lifeless on the hard floor. Bo rushes to her and Lucy yells to Aaron to call 911. Bo picks her up, “Never mind them.”
Lucy says, “Aaron, run out there and get the helicopter started. He’ll need you to fly them in. Ellie . . .”
“I’m calling the hospital to tell them they’re on their way,” Ellie says as she dials her phone.
Jake helps Bo get Amy out the back.
Out back Aaron is in the pilot seat ready to fly the helicopter as Bo gets up inside and Jake hands Amy up to him. J.T. jumps in next to Aaron. The family looks on in horror as the helicopter lifts off.
The family gathers at the hospital in a private waiting room. Lucy sits next to Jake with her head on his shoulder and her eyes closed. Bo and Ellie are missing from the room while everyone else sits quietly. Ellie walks in and says, “I’ve got an expert in pregnancy migraines coming in from the Mayo Clinic to consult. She just stopped taking her medications all together.”
Lucy says, “Is she OK?”
“Both her and the baby are fine, but I guess she’s been getting these migraines since she was a teenager.”
Aaron asks, “What causes them?”
“I guess they’ve never figured that out, but we’re going to figure it out now. We’ll get the best neuroscientists on this. But for right now, no stress. She’s agreed to a low key wedding, just family.”
“The Anderson’s?” Lucy asks.
“Just her father. I mean her mother passed away. And her sister. And us. Will John Ross be showing up?” Ellie asks looking straight at Lucy.
“I doubt it. I did call him. He wants me to keep him posted, but I doubt he’ll be returning for a wedding or if he does, I’d guess he’d be alone. I’ll go call him.” Lucy walks away while taking out her phone.
Ellie says to Jake, “This going through you and Lucy to contact our brother is ridiculous. She could have died tonight. Bo needs his brother here.”
“He’s got you and he’s got Aaron. He’ll be fine. If he truly needs John Ross, I’m sure he’ll show up.”
“You can tell my brother for me I’m pissed. Family comes first. He needs to be here.” Ellie walks back from where she came.
Aaron says, “She’s right.”
Jake replies, “I know she’s right. But you get that through to your brother. Last time I saw him Pamela was in a psych ward and he was in a waiting room just like this, drunk out of his mind. I don’t know that kid’s demons . . .”
“I do,” Lucy says returning. “He’s spent his whole life fighting or being fought over or just plain beat up. Ain’t no one ever had his back. Not even me or you,” looking at Aaron.
“What? I was a kid, I just lost my parents, I was angry.”
“I’m not saying there’s not a reason for it, but he took you in when you had no one and you took it out on him. Bo and Ellie were never there. Hell he didn’t even know they existed until after his father was dead. And J.R., one fight after another, stay in school, marry the girl he picks out, run the company just the way he tells you to and Uncle Bobby sided with Christopher no matter what he did. Goes off and screw’s his fiancé who later turns out to be such a crazy bitch she nearly kills Christopher but Uncle Bobby stood right there when Christopher was with her and John Ross was hurting. And Sue Ellen. Don’t get me started on her. And the world. Oil’s bad so he’s a bastard for drilling for it, but we need oil. Pamela marries him for a business deal, and all of a sudden Pamela loves him. Pamela tries to kill herself and lays the blame on John Ross. Pamela throws in his face about sleeping with some guy. So you want to know why he’s not coming home, because this isn’t home to him. This is my home. Yours. Even Christopher’s. I hope even Bo and Ellie’s. And my brother and sister, maybe one day. But not John Ross’s.”
“You said Grandma left him half of South Fork.”
“He didn’t know that until after J.R. died. As far as he knew she left him nothing. Bobby never bothered to tell him, even tried to sell it out from under him once. He didn’t even know about the trust fund Grandpa left him until after J.R. died . . .” Lucy stops and thinks. “Clayton.”
“What about Clayton?”
“Clayton left him a box of stuff after he died. All his personal things and an allowance the Foundation use to pay out to him every three months, until John Ross declined it, once he had made a success out of Ewing Industries. I one saw him beat the hell out of a guy who badmouthed Clayton. He didn’t really, but that’s how John Ross took it. I’ll never forget, it was probably six months after J.R. died and John Ross was crying that he was all he ever had whoever cared about him. I thought he meant J.R. He meant Clayton.”
“Wow.”
“So no, before you go judging a man, you better size him up right. ‘Make sure you done taken into account what hills and valleys he come through before he got to wherever he is,’ Lucy quotes from ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ before sitting down to take it all in. “So many people are gone. So much has happened.” Jake offers her his hand and she takes it. “I miss him. I really miss him, but I think I finally understand. I get it. I get it now.”
J.T. steps up behind Aaron and puts his hand on his shoulder.