Previously on DALLAS:
-----------------A hurt Tripp wanted nothing to do with his mother.
-----------------Bobby and Ann learned some shocking news from Bum: Ann's brother Mark is married to Tripp's mother.
-----------------After receiving some painful news from Erin Ward, a heartbroken Christopher turned to his secretary Courtney Wapner for comfort.
-----------------Marilee continued to let Brad believe she had suffered a heart attack, in order to keep him from probing her further about Cliff Barnes.
-----------------John Ross told Krystina that one day, he intends to have Ewing Oil for himself and his children.
-----------------Brad asked his private detective to dig into Cliff's past.
-----------------A stunned Tripp came face to face with the younger half-brother he never knew existed.
-----------------Bobby and Ann learned some shocking news from Bum: Ann's brother Mark is married to Tripp's mother.
-----------------After receiving some painful news from Erin Ward, a heartbroken Christopher turned to his secretary Courtney Wapner for comfort.
-----------------Marilee continued to let Brad believe she had suffered a heart attack, in order to keep him from probing her further about Cliff Barnes.
-----------------John Ross told Krystina that one day, he intends to have Ewing Oil for himself and his children.
-----------------Brad asked his private detective to dig into Cliff's past.
-----------------A stunned Tripp came face to face with the younger half-brother he never knew existed.
Motel 6 in Dallas.....late afternoon
"Your.......Sharon Rogers is your mother?" Asks as stunned Tripp, coming face to face with the half-brother he never knew existed.
"That's right. Well, she USE to be Sharon Rogers, a long time ago. She's Sharon Smith now. And you must be Tripp.......my Mom's other son."
"I.......Yeah. I'm Tripp."
"I'm Shawn. Shawn Smith. Mom isn't here right now. She had to run to the store. She should be back any time if you wanna come in and wait."
Tripp hesitates a moment as he looks at the boy. "No," he says. "No." He turns and starts to leave.
"You want me to tell her you came by?" Shawn asks.
Tripp stops and turns back to him. "I really don't care," he says, then walks back to his truck. Shawn watches as Tripp gets into his truck and drives off.
As Tripp speeds away, Sharon's car pulls into the motel parking lot and comes to a stop in the parking space in front of her room. Still standing in the doorway, Shawn walks out to his mother's car. Sharon gets out and hands her son a bag of groceries, and she takes out a six pack of Pepsi.
"What's goin' on?" Sharon asks.
"Did you see who that was who just took off outta here?" Shawn asks.
"You mean in that truck? No, but they sure took off like a bat outta hell. Why?"
"That was someone who came to see you, Mom. That was your other son, Tripp. And from the way he reacted when I told him who I was, he didn't even know I existed. How come you didn't tell him about me, Mom?"
A worried look comes over Sharon's face as she looks at her teenage son, and as she also worries about Tripp...
"I.......Yeah. I'm Tripp."
"I'm Shawn. Shawn Smith. Mom isn't here right now. She had to run to the store. She should be back any time if you wanna come in and wait."
Tripp hesitates a moment as he looks at the boy. "No," he says. "No." He turns and starts to leave.
"You want me to tell her you came by?" Shawn asks.
Tripp stops and turns back to him. "I really don't care," he says, then walks back to his truck. Shawn watches as Tripp gets into his truck and drives off.
As Tripp speeds away, Sharon's car pulls into the motel parking lot and comes to a stop in the parking space in front of her room. Still standing in the doorway, Shawn walks out to his mother's car. Sharon gets out and hands her son a bag of groceries, and she takes out a six pack of Pepsi.
"What's goin' on?" Sharon asks.
"Did you see who that was who just took off outta here?" Shawn asks.
"You mean in that truck? No, but they sure took off like a bat outta hell. Why?"
"That was someone who came to see you, Mom. That was your other son, Tripp. And from the way he reacted when I told him who I was, he didn't even know I existed. How come you didn't tell him about me, Mom?"
A worried look comes over Sharon's face as she looks at her teenage son, and as she also worries about Tripp...
Ewing Oil....
As Christopher signs some papers at his desk at Ewing Oil that evening, Courtney knocks at his door, then peaks in. "Christopher?" She says.
He leans back in his chair and smiles at her. "Come in," he says.
She walks into the office and closes the door behind her. "I was just wondering if you wanted to have dinner after work."
"Dinner sounds great. How about Perry's?"
He leans back in his chair and smiles at her. "Come in," he says.
She walks into the office and closes the door behind her. "I was just wondering if you wanted to have dinner after work."
"Dinner sounds great. How about Perry's?"
"Well actually, I was thinking......my place," Courtney says with a smile. "Since I didn't get to cook you breakfast this morning, I'd love to make dinner for you tonight."
"You sure it's no trouble?" Christopher asks. "I mean you've been at work all day."
"No trouble at all. I love to cook."
"Well then I can't very well say no, then, can I?" Christopher asks, taking her by the hand. Smiling, he pulls Courtney into his lap, then kisses her.
Their kiss is interrupted by a knock at the door. Courtney quickly gets out of Christopher's lap as Bobby walks in. "Christopher, I......" he stops short when he sees Courtney. "Oh, I'm sorry, am I interruptin' somethin'?"
"No, Dad, you're not," Christopher says, trying not to laugh at the awkward situation."
"I'd better get back to my desk," Courtney says, embarrassed. She quickly hurries past Bobby and out of the office, closing the door behind her.
"You sure it's no trouble?" Christopher asks. "I mean you've been at work all day."
"No trouble at all. I love to cook."
"Well then I can't very well say no, then, can I?" Christopher asks, taking her by the hand. Smiling, he pulls Courtney into his lap, then kisses her.
Their kiss is interrupted by a knock at the door. Courtney quickly gets out of Christopher's lap as Bobby walks in. "Christopher, I......" he stops short when he sees Courtney. "Oh, I'm sorry, am I interruptin' somethin'?"
"No, Dad, you're not," Christopher says, trying not to laugh at the awkward situation."
"I'd better get back to my desk," Courtney says, embarrassed. She quickly hurries past Bobby and out of the office, closing the door behind her.
"Well, is there somethin' you'd like to tell me?" Bobby asks.
Christopher smiles as he stands to his feet. "You wanna a drink?"
"Why, am I gonna need one?"
Christopher walks to his bar and pours two glasses of bourbon, then hands one to his father. "Dad, how do you like Courtney?"
"I like her just fine. She's a very nice girl, and a wonderful secretary. Reminds me a lot of her mother. Why did you ask?"
"Courtney and I have been seeing one another," Christopher says.
"Really?" Bobby asks with a smile. "Well when did that happen?"
"Just........last night, actually. I called Erin, and, she told me something that upset me. Her ex has come back into her life and she realized she's still in love with him and wants to give their relationship another chance. I was real upset last night, and hurt, and I'd had a couple drinks. Courtney took me home to her place, and we talked. She was really there for me last night when I needed a friend."
"And, because of that, you've started dating her?" Bobby asks.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Christopher, are you sure you know what you're doin'? I mean you said yourself that last night you were hurt and vulnerable after Erin told you about her ex-boyfriend. Aren't you moving a little fast with Courtney?"
Christopher smiles as he stands to his feet. "You wanna a drink?"
"Why, am I gonna need one?"
Christopher walks to his bar and pours two glasses of bourbon, then hands one to his father. "Dad, how do you like Courtney?"
"I like her just fine. She's a very nice girl, and a wonderful secretary. Reminds me a lot of her mother. Why did you ask?"
"Courtney and I have been seeing one another," Christopher says.
"Really?" Bobby asks with a smile. "Well when did that happen?"
"Just........last night, actually. I called Erin, and, she told me something that upset me. Her ex has come back into her life and she realized she's still in love with him and wants to give their relationship another chance. I was real upset last night, and hurt, and I'd had a couple drinks. Courtney took me home to her place, and we talked. She was really there for me last night when I needed a friend."
"And, because of that, you've started dating her?" Bobby asks.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Christopher, are you sure you know what you're doin'? I mean you said yourself that last night you were hurt and vulnerable after Erin told you about her ex-boyfriend. Aren't you moving a little fast with Courtney?"
"I don't think so," Christopher says. "Dad, it's not like she's a stranger. I've known Courtney for months, and I see her every day. I was attracted to her the first time I ever met her. Maybe she's what I need and who I need in my life. And all this time she's been right here under my nose."
"I understand all that, son, but, y'know, you've been hurt several times in the last couple years. All I'm saying is, don't move too fast with this. Make sure that it's Courtney you really care about and that you're not just on the rebound now. Last thing I wanna see is for either one of you to get hurt."
Christopher remains silent and nods.
"Well, I'm gonna head on home. See you at Southfork?"
"I'll be home later. I'm having dinner with Courtney."
"Okay. Have a good evening, son." Bobby smiles at Christopher, then walks out of the office.
"I understand all that, son, but, y'know, you've been hurt several times in the last couple years. All I'm saying is, don't move too fast with this. Make sure that it's Courtney you really care about and that you're not just on the rebound now. Last thing I wanna see is for either one of you to get hurt."
Christopher remains silent and nods.
"Well, I'm gonna head on home. See you at Southfork?"
"I'll be home later. I'm having dinner with Courtney."
"Okay. Have a good evening, son." Bobby smiles at Christopher, then walks out of the office.
Tripp and Pamela's apartment....
Pamela paces around her and Tripp's apartment just after dark that evening, worried because Tripp still hadn't come home. She walks over to the coffee table and picks up her phone. As she's about to dial Tripp's number, she hears the door open, and Tripp walks in. Pamela rushes over to him.
"Tripp, I've been worried sick," she says.
"I'm sorry," he says.
"Where've you been? Are you okay?"
"I went to the motel," Tripp replies. "I went to see my so called mother."
"Tripp, I've been worried sick," she says.
"I'm sorry," he says.
"Where've you been? Are you okay?"
"I went to the motel," Tripp replies. "I went to see my so called mother."
"So what happened?" Pamela asks. "Did you see her?"
"No, I didn't. I didn't see my mother. But I did see my brother."
"Your......your brother? Tripp, I don't understand."
"Sharon has another son," Tripp says. "Kid can't be more'n 16 or 17."
"Oh, wow. You have another brother."
"You know what this means, don't you?" Tripp asks bitterly. "It means that my mother dumped me and Hunter, but she had no problem raising another kid by another man......a man who WASN'T Tommy McKay. Could she have hated my father so much that she hated me and Hunter, too?"
"I don't believe she hated you," says Pamela.
"Then how else do you explain it, Pamela? She left two 7-year-old boys with their grandfather, and went off and a few years later, she has another kid. But that one, she decides to keep and raise.
Pamela puts both hands on Tripp's shoulders. "Sweetheart, I'm so sorry."
"I never should've gone there to see her, Pamela," Tripp says as he walks across the room. "I never wanna see her again."
"Tripp, I'm sure there has to be some explanation......some REASON."
"Pamela, you just don't get it, do you?" Tripp asks, looking at her. "My mother didn't want me. And she probably came back now to get her hands on some McKay money. But I've got news for her......it aint happening." Without another word, Tripp walks into the bedroom and closes the door.
Pamela sighs deeply.
"Oh, wow. You have another brother."
"You know what this means, don't you?" Tripp asks bitterly. "It means that my mother dumped me and Hunter, but she had no problem raising another kid by another man......a man who WASN'T Tommy McKay. Could she have hated my father so much that she hated me and Hunter, too?"
"I don't believe she hated you," says Pamela.
"Then how else do you explain it, Pamela? She left two 7-year-old boys with their grandfather, and went off and a few years later, she has another kid. But that one, she decides to keep and raise.
Pamela puts both hands on Tripp's shoulders. "Sweetheart, I'm so sorry."
"I never should've gone there to see her, Pamela," Tripp says as he walks across the room. "I never wanna see her again."
"Tripp, I'm sure there has to be some explanation......some REASON."
"Pamela, you just don't get it, do you?" Tripp asks, looking at her. "My mother didn't want me. And she probably came back now to get her hands on some McKay money. But I've got news for her......it aint happening." Without another word, Tripp walks into the bedroom and closes the door.
Pamela sighs deeply.
Justin and Amanda's home....
That night, Jimmy is having dinner with Justin and Amanda at their house.
"Jimmy, would you like another piece of pie?" Amanda asks.
"Oh, thanks, but no, two is my limit. I'm absolutely stuffed," Jimmy says. "That was the best supper I've had in I can't remember when, and probably the best blueberry pie I've ever put in my mouth."
"Well, thank you," Amanda says, getting up from the table.
"What do ya think, Jimmy?" Justin asks. "Did I marry a great girl, or what?"
"Of course."
"You guys had better stop, or you're gonna make me blush," Amanda says as she starts gathering the dishes from the table.
"You're cute when you blush," Justin says. "Darlin', leave the dishes."
"Jimmy, would you like another piece of pie?" Amanda asks.
"Oh, thanks, but no, two is my limit. I'm absolutely stuffed," Jimmy says. "That was the best supper I've had in I can't remember when, and probably the best blueberry pie I've ever put in my mouth."
"Well, thank you," Amanda says, getting up from the table.
"What do ya think, Jimmy?" Justin asks. "Did I marry a great girl, or what?"
"Of course."
"You guys had better stop, or you're gonna make me blush," Amanda says as she starts gathering the dishes from the table.
"You're cute when you blush," Justin says. "Darlin', leave the dishes."
"Yeah, Justin and I'll get the dishes," Jimmy says.
"Nothing doing," says Amanda. "You're our guest. I'm not gonna have you doing the dishes."
"Really, I don't mind," Jimmy says, getting up from the table. "It's the least I can do after that incredible supper."
"Jimmy, you and Justin go in the living room, sit down, relax, and talk. If I need help, I'll yell."
"May as well do as she says, bro," Justin says. "My wife is stubborn."
"Well, Justin and I always take turns doing the dishes anyway, and tonight's my turn," Amanda says.
Jimmy smiles. "Okay, I give in," he says.
"Good, because there's somethin' I wanna talk to you about."
"I'm all ears."
"Livin' room," Justin says.
Jimmy nods, then he and Justin get up from the table and walk into the living room, where they take seats. "So what's up?" Jimmy asks.
"Well, I wanted to ask a favor of you, bro," replies Justin.
"Sure. I'll do anything I can, you know that. What's the favor?"
"Well, this girl Amanda went to high school with, an old friend of hers just moved back to Dallas. Actually, she was at our weddin', you may remember her.......that cute little brunette, one of the bridesmaids?"
Jimmy thinks for a second. "Oh, yeah, ummmm........Katie or something, wasn't it?"
"Katelyn," Justin says.
"I was close," jokes Jimmy. "What about her?"
"Well, Katelyn just moved back to Dallas, like I said, and she duttin' know anybody yet. I was thinkin' maybe the four of us could go see a movie this weekend, or maybe dinner?"
Jimmy looks at him for a second, then sighs. "Justin, what are you doing, man?" Jimmy asks, annoyed.
"What do ya mean?"
"You know damn well what I mean. You asked me for a favor, and you're tryin' to set me up with this friend of Amanda's. Justin, we've been through all this....."
"Jimmy, dude, it aint like that. I mean, yeah, I'd love to see my best friend and favorite nephew datin' some nice girl. But I'm not gonna push. I really would like you to meet Katelyn. Like I said, she duttin' know anybody here but me and Amanda, and......"
"I thought you said she use to live in Dallas," Jimmy says.
"She did."
"Then how can she not know anyone?"
"Well, she's lost touch with most everybody she went to school with. But her and Amanda reconnected a few months ago on Facebook, and Katelyn told her she was movin' back."
Jimmy sighs again and stands to his feet. "Justin, look, I really appreciate you caring and wanting to hook me up with Amanda's friend, but.......you know how I feel about this."
Justin stands and walks over to him. "So what are you gonna do, Jimmy? Ya got hurt real bad a couple times, I understand that. But are you just gonna let that define the rest of your life? Are you just gonna become a hermit or somethin' and never even go out again? Dude, ya can't live like that. Look, I really am askin' this as a favor. Please, Jimmy? Just hang out with us this weekend. Who knows, ya might actually like Katelyn and find that ya have some things in common. If ya don't like her, then, fine." Justin puts his hand on Jimmy's shoulder. "Jimmy, you're my nephew and the best friend I have in this world. I just don't want you to go through life all alone, and if that makes me a bad person, then I plead guilty."
Jimmy looks at him and smiles, then shakes his head. "Oh, Justin. You're somethin' else, you know that?"
"Yeah, so I been told. So will ya do it? Just a movie and dinner? Or, we could even grill out over here."
"Yeah, I like that idea better," Jimmy says. "Okay, I know when I'm licked. I'll do it."
"Dude, you just made your old uncle one happy man."
Jimmy laughs. "My OLD uncle? Dude, you're two years younger than me."
"I know. Which is why you need to be thinkin' about gettin' your ass married too, so our kids can grow up together."
"Well, Justin and I always take turns doing the dishes anyway, and tonight's my turn," Amanda says.
Jimmy smiles. "Okay, I give in," he says.
"Good, because there's somethin' I wanna talk to you about."
"I'm all ears."
"Livin' room," Justin says.
Jimmy nods, then he and Justin get up from the table and walk into the living room, where they take seats. "So what's up?" Jimmy asks.
"Well, I wanted to ask a favor of you, bro," replies Justin.
"Sure. I'll do anything I can, you know that. What's the favor?"
"Well, this girl Amanda went to high school with, an old friend of hers just moved back to Dallas. Actually, she was at our weddin', you may remember her.......that cute little brunette, one of the bridesmaids?"
Jimmy thinks for a second. "Oh, yeah, ummmm........Katie or something, wasn't it?"
"Katelyn," Justin says.
"I was close," jokes Jimmy. "What about her?"
"Well, Katelyn just moved back to Dallas, like I said, and she duttin' know anybody yet. I was thinkin' maybe the four of us could go see a movie this weekend, or maybe dinner?"
Jimmy looks at him for a second, then sighs. "Justin, what are you doing, man?" Jimmy asks, annoyed.
"What do ya mean?"
"You know damn well what I mean. You asked me for a favor, and you're tryin' to set me up with this friend of Amanda's. Justin, we've been through all this....."
"Jimmy, dude, it aint like that. I mean, yeah, I'd love to see my best friend and favorite nephew datin' some nice girl. But I'm not gonna push. I really would like you to meet Katelyn. Like I said, she duttin' know anybody here but me and Amanda, and......"
"I thought you said she use to live in Dallas," Jimmy says.
"She did."
"Then how can she not know anyone?"
"Well, she's lost touch with most everybody she went to school with. But her and Amanda reconnected a few months ago on Facebook, and Katelyn told her she was movin' back."
Jimmy sighs again and stands to his feet. "Justin, look, I really appreciate you caring and wanting to hook me up with Amanda's friend, but.......you know how I feel about this."
Justin stands and walks over to him. "So what are you gonna do, Jimmy? Ya got hurt real bad a couple times, I understand that. But are you just gonna let that define the rest of your life? Are you just gonna become a hermit or somethin' and never even go out again? Dude, ya can't live like that. Look, I really am askin' this as a favor. Please, Jimmy? Just hang out with us this weekend. Who knows, ya might actually like Katelyn and find that ya have some things in common. If ya don't like her, then, fine." Justin puts his hand on Jimmy's shoulder. "Jimmy, you're my nephew and the best friend I have in this world. I just don't want you to go through life all alone, and if that makes me a bad person, then I plead guilty."
Jimmy looks at him and smiles, then shakes his head. "Oh, Justin. You're somethin' else, you know that?"
"Yeah, so I been told. So will ya do it? Just a movie and dinner? Or, we could even grill out over here."
"Yeah, I like that idea better," Jimmy says. "Okay, I know when I'm licked. I'll do it."
"Dude, you just made your old uncle one happy man."
Jimmy laughs. "My OLD uncle? Dude, you're two years younger than me."
"I know. Which is why you need to be thinkin' about gettin' your ass married too, so our kids can grow up together."
Southfork....the next morning
Bobby and Ann are coming down the stairs for breakfast the next morning when they meet Conner coming into the foyer from the living room.
"Good morning," Bobby greets the young man.
"Mornin', Bobby," Conner says, a hint of sadness in his tone.
"Honey, you go on in to breakfast," Bobby says to his wife. "Conner and I'll be there in a minute."
"Sure," Ann says, then walks into the dining room.
"Let's step in the den a minute," Bobby tells Conner. The young man nods, then he and Bobby walk across
"Good morning," Bobby greets the young man.
"Mornin', Bobby," Conner says, a hint of sadness in his tone.
"Honey, you go on in to breakfast," Bobby says to his wife. "Conner and I'll be there in a minute."
"Sure," Ann says, then walks into the dining room.
"Let's step in the den a minute," Bobby tells Conner. The young man nods, then he and Bobby walk across
the foyer and into the den. "What's wrong? You seem really down this mornin'."
Conner sighs. "I went to see Dylan yesterday. It's almost time for him to be released from the hospital, and he told me that he doesn't wanna go back home to his mother's house."
"That's not so surprising after everything," Bobby says.
"No, it's not."
"So where is he gonna go?"
Conner sighs. "I went to see Dylan yesterday. It's almost time for him to be released from the hospital, and he told me that he doesn't wanna go back home to his mother's house."
"That's not so surprising after everything," Bobby says.
"No, it's not."
"So where is he gonna go?"
"I was thinkin'........it's time I got my own apartment," Conner says. "That way, when Dylan gets out in a few weeks, he can come and live with me."
"You sure that's what you wanna do?" Bobby asks.
"It is. I've talked about doing this before, and it's time. I mean, it's obvious I can't bring Dylan to Southfork because of John Ross, so, there's really no other option."
"What about Dylan's brother Todd? Doesn't he have his own apartment?"
"Yeah, but Dylan feels weird around Todd after everything that went on. It was because of Todd that Dylan went over the edge and ran John Ross down in the first place."
"You sure that's what you wanna do?" Bobby asks.
"It is. I've talked about doing this before, and it's time. I mean, it's obvious I can't bring Dylan to Southfork because of John Ross, so, there's really no other option."
"What about Dylan's brother Todd? Doesn't he have his own apartment?"
"Yeah, but Dylan feels weird around Todd after everything that went on. It was because of Todd that Dylan went over the edge and ran John Ross down in the first place."
"Well I'd sure hate to lose ya here at Southfork," Bobby says. "But I understand."
"You're not gonna lose me. I'll visit all the time."
"Well, Dylan itn't gonna be released for a few weeks yet, so if you need any help apartment hunting, just let me know. I'm sure we can find somethin' you like."
"Thanks, Bobby. I think I'm gonna skip breakfast. I'm gonna drive out to the hospital and see Dylan before I head to work over at Ray's. Listen, I'll talk to you later."
"Okay. See ya tonight," Bobby says as Conner rushes out.
"You're not gonna lose me. I'll visit all the time."
"Well, Dylan itn't gonna be released for a few weeks yet, so if you need any help apartment hunting, just let me know. I'm sure we can find somethin' you like."
"Thanks, Bobby. I think I'm gonna skip breakfast. I'm gonna drive out to the hospital and see Dylan before I head to work over at Ray's. Listen, I'll talk to you later."
"Okay. See ya tonight," Bobby says as Conner rushes out.
Cliff's apartment....
"Come in, sweetheart," Cliff says, greeting Pamela at the door of his apartment that morning.
"Morning, Daddy," Pamela says, walking in. "Hmm, something smells good."
"Your mother is making breakfast. Come on in."
Pamela follows her father into the kitchen, where Afton is setting the table. "Mom, is that your cinnamon toast?" Pamela asks.
"It sure is, baby," replies Afton.
"I came over just in time."
"What brings you over so early?" Cliff asks as they take seats at the table.
"Tripp already left for the office. He had some work to catch up on, and I just needed to talk."
"Morning, Daddy," Pamela says, walking in. "Hmm, something smells good."
"Your mother is making breakfast. Come on in."
Pamela follows her father into the kitchen, where Afton is setting the table. "Mom, is that your cinnamon toast?" Pamela asks.
"It sure is, baby," replies Afton.
"I came over just in time."
"What brings you over so early?" Cliff asks as they take seats at the table.
"Tripp already left for the office. He had some work to catch up on, and I just needed to talk."
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Afton asks.
"Just when I thought things couldn't get anymore complicated when Carter McKay died, they did."
"What happened?" Cliff asks.
Pamela sighs. "Tripp's mother showed up at the apartment the other night."
"His......his MOTHER?" Cliff asks. "I thought that Tripp hadn't seen or heard from her since he was a little kid."
"He hadn't until a couple nights ago. She just showed up out of nowhere. And, to complicated matters further, she has another son.......a son she neglected to tell Tripp about when she was at the apartment the other night. He found out by accident yesterday when he stopped by her motel to talk to her."
"Oh boy."
"Poor Tripp," Afton says, taking a seat at the table. "He must've been thrown for a loop."
"That's putting it mildly. He's very upset, and with good reason. Now that he knows Sharon, his mother, has another kid, Tripp feels that she must have hated he and Hunter because of their father and that's why she abandoned them when they were so young."
"Just when I thought things couldn't get anymore complicated when Carter McKay died, they did."
"What happened?" Cliff asks.
Pamela sighs. "Tripp's mother showed up at the apartment the other night."
"His......his MOTHER?" Cliff asks. "I thought that Tripp hadn't seen or heard from her since he was a little kid."
"He hadn't until a couple nights ago. She just showed up out of nowhere. And, to complicated matters further, she has another son.......a son she neglected to tell Tripp about when she was at the apartment the other night. He found out by accident yesterday when he stopped by her motel to talk to her."
"Oh boy."
"Poor Tripp," Afton says, taking a seat at the table. "He must've been thrown for a loop."
"That's putting it mildly. He's very upset, and with good reason. Now that he knows Sharon, his mother, has another kid, Tripp feels that she must have hated he and Hunter because of their father and that's why she abandoned them when they were so young."
"Well, I certainly know how he feels," Cliff says. "Having been left by my own mother at a very young age. And then years later, not only did she come back into mine and Pam's lives, but like Tripp, we were also confronted with the knowledge that our mother had another child we never knew about. Katherine. God, I sure hope Tripp's kid brother doesn't turn out to be ANYTHING like what Pam and I had to deal with in our half-sister."
The conversation is interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell. "I'll get it," says Afton. She walks into the living room and opens the front door to find a delivery man. "Yes?"
"Ms. Afton Cooper?" The young man asks.
"Yes, I'm Afton Cooper," she replies, feeling a chill, knowing that this was probably another gift from her strange, anonymous admirer.
"Sign here please," he says, handing her a clipboard. Afton signs her name then he hands her a package. "This is for you."
"Thank you," she says nervously as she closes the door. Afton stares at the package for a moment, then walks into the kitchen with it.
"Who was it?" Cliff asks.
"Mom, another gift?" Pamela asks.
"Yes."
"Y'know, this is starting to get ridiculous," says Cliff.
"It sure is," agrees Afton. "Ridiculous........and scary."
The conversation is interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell. "I'll get it," says Afton. She walks into the living room and opens the front door to find a delivery man. "Yes?"
"Ms. Afton Cooper?" The young man asks.
"Yes, I'm Afton Cooper," she replies, feeling a chill, knowing that this was probably another gift from her strange, anonymous admirer.
"Sign here please," he says, handing her a clipboard. Afton signs her name then he hands her a package. "This is for you."
"Thank you," she says nervously as she closes the door. Afton stares at the package for a moment, then walks into the kitchen with it.
"Who was it?" Cliff asks.
"Mom, another gift?" Pamela asks.
"Yes."
"Y'know, this is starting to get ridiculous," says Cliff.
"It sure is," agrees Afton. "Ridiculous........and scary."
Millwood Psychiatric Hospital....
Conner is waiting in the hallway near the exit leading to an enclosed courtyard at Millwood Psychiatric Hospital, when Dylan comes through a set of double doors which leads down another hall to the patient rooms. Dylan looks at his half-brother for a moment, then walks over to him.
"Hey, man," Conner says. "You look great. Can we go out to the courtyard?"
"Yeah, sure," Dylan replies. He follows Conner out of the doors and into the courtyard. The two walk over to a table and sit down.
"Hey, man," Conner says. "You look great. Can we go out to the courtyard?"
"Yeah, sure," Dylan replies. He follows Conner out of the doors and into the courtyard. The two walk over to a table and sit down.
"So how ya doin'?" Conner asks.
"Fine, I guess," Dylan says with very little enthusiasm.
"Isn't it great that you're gonna be getting out of here soon?"
"I guess."
"You don't seem too happy about it," says Conner.
"No reason I should be."
"How about......freedom?"
"Freedom? Freedom for what? What is there to go back to, Conner? I have NOTHING to go back to. My family is destroyed. the man I thought was my father is in prison for killing my REAL father. My mother is so messed up in the head and she hates me so much that she's never even been to see me in this place, and my brother Todd is still so messed up that he can't see past his anger and bitterness toward the Ewings. And then there's school. I flunked out. And what about friends, dude? I was sent to a mental hospital because I tried to kill someone. Who wants to be friends with a freak like me? Yeah, that's a LOT to look forward to going back to, isn't it?"
"And what about me?" Conner asks.
Dylan lowers his head. "You'll probably leave me just like everybody else."
"Dylan, I would NEVER do that. Why do you think I come here to visit you twice a week?"
"I dunno. Why?" Dylan asks.
"Because you're my brother. I may have only met you a few months ago, but I care about you, Dylan. A lot. I know I have the Ewings, but, my Mom left and my Dad's dead, so you're the ONLY close family I have left in the world. Listen, when you get outta here, you're gonna come live with me."
"What? At Southfork? You gotta be kidding."
"No, not at Southfork. I'm gonna get my own place. OUR own place. And we're gonna be roommates."
"You sure you wanna do that?" Dylan asks.
"Yeah, I do. So how about it? Think you can put up with livin' with me?"
Dylan looks at him and manages a weak smile. "I'd like to try."
"Great. Then, by the time you get outta this place, we'll have our own apartment. I'll help you get a job and get back on your feet. Maybe Ray will even let you work at his ranch."
At that moment, one of the hospital employees comes to the door and motions to the brothers that their time is up.
"Well, I guess I have to go," Conner says. "You take care, okay? And just keep thinkin' about what I said. When you walk out of this place in a few weeks, you have somewhere to go, Dylan."
Dylan nods, then stands to his feet. He starts to walk back toward the hospital, then turns back to his brother. He looks at him for a second. "Conner........thanks for everything. I love you, man."
"I love you too, little brother," Conner says.
Dylan smiles, then turns and follows the hospital employee back inside.
"You don't seem too happy about it," says Conner.
"No reason I should be."
"How about......freedom?"
"Freedom? Freedom for what? What is there to go back to, Conner? I have NOTHING to go back to. My family is destroyed. the man I thought was my father is in prison for killing my REAL father. My mother is so messed up in the head and she hates me so much that she's never even been to see me in this place, and my brother Todd is still so messed up that he can't see past his anger and bitterness toward the Ewings. And then there's school. I flunked out. And what about friends, dude? I was sent to a mental hospital because I tried to kill someone. Who wants to be friends with a freak like me? Yeah, that's a LOT to look forward to going back to, isn't it?"
"And what about me?" Conner asks.
Dylan lowers his head. "You'll probably leave me just like everybody else."
"Dylan, I would NEVER do that. Why do you think I come here to visit you twice a week?"
"I dunno. Why?" Dylan asks.
"Because you're my brother. I may have only met you a few months ago, but I care about you, Dylan. A lot. I know I have the Ewings, but, my Mom left and my Dad's dead, so you're the ONLY close family I have left in the world. Listen, when you get outta here, you're gonna come live with me."
"What? At Southfork? You gotta be kidding."
"No, not at Southfork. I'm gonna get my own place. OUR own place. And we're gonna be roommates."
"You sure you wanna do that?" Dylan asks.
"Yeah, I do. So how about it? Think you can put up with livin' with me?"
Dylan looks at him and manages a weak smile. "I'd like to try."
"Great. Then, by the time you get outta this place, we'll have our own apartment. I'll help you get a job and get back on your feet. Maybe Ray will even let you work at his ranch."
At that moment, one of the hospital employees comes to the door and motions to the brothers that their time is up.
"Well, I guess I have to go," Conner says. "You take care, okay? And just keep thinkin' about what I said. When you walk out of this place in a few weeks, you have somewhere to go, Dylan."
Dylan nods, then stands to his feet. He starts to walk back toward the hospital, then turns back to his brother. He looks at him for a second. "Conner........thanks for everything. I love you, man."
"I love you too, little brother," Conner says.
Dylan smiles, then turns and follows the hospital employee back inside.
Motel 6 in Dallas....
Pamela walks up to Sharon Smith's room at the Motel 6 and knocks on the door. A moment later, Sharon opens the door, surprised to see her.
"Well, Pamela," Sharon says. "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to talk to you. Can I come in?"
"Of course."
Pamela walks into the room and Sharon closes the door.
"I'm gonna take a wild a guess that my son did NOT send you here."
"No, he didn't. Tripp doesn't even know I'm here."
"Well, what can I do for you?"
Before Pamela can answer, the door opens and Sharon's teenage son Shawn walks in.
"Well, Pamela," Sharon says. "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to talk to you. Can I come in?"
"Of course."
Pamela walks into the room and Sharon closes the door.
"I'm gonna take a wild a guess that my son did NOT send you here."
"No, he didn't. Tripp doesn't even know I'm here."
"Well, what can I do for you?"
Before Pamela can answer, the door opens and Sharon's teenage son Shawn walks in.
"Oh, sorry," the boy says. "I didn't know we had company."
"It's alright," Sharon says. "Pamela, I'd like you to meet my son, Shawn Smith. Shawn, this is Pamela........Tripp's wife."
"Hi," says Shawn.
"Hello, Shawn. It's nice to meet you."
"Yeah, you too."
"Uh, Shawn, honey, could you please leave Pamela and I alone for a few minutes?" Sharon asks.
"Sure. I'll go mess around on my skateboard or something." Shawn walks over to the closet, grabs his skateboard and walks out of the room.
"He seems like a nice boy," Pamela says.
"He is. So, how far along are you?"
"A little over eight months."
"Eight months," Sharon says. "I'll never forget when I was eight months pregnant with the twins. Seems like just yesterday, and now I'm about to be a grandmother. Well, if my son didn't send you, then why are you here?"
"It's alright," Sharon says. "Pamela, I'd like you to meet my son, Shawn Smith. Shawn, this is Pamela........Tripp's wife."
"Hi," says Shawn.
"Hello, Shawn. It's nice to meet you."
"Yeah, you too."
"Uh, Shawn, honey, could you please leave Pamela and I alone for a few minutes?" Sharon asks.
"Sure. I'll go mess around on my skateboard or something." Shawn walks over to the closet, grabs his skateboard and walks out of the room.
"He seems like a nice boy," Pamela says.
"He is. So, how far along are you?"
"A little over eight months."
"Eight months," Sharon says. "I'll never forget when I was eight months pregnant with the twins. Seems like just yesterday, and now I'm about to be a grandmother. Well, if my son didn't send you, then why are you here?"
"That's what I came to find out from you," Pamela replies.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I'd like to know why you're here. I mean, why NOW? You haven't seen Tripp since he was 7-years-old in 1994. Why did you wait all these years to come back to see him, AFTER his grandfather died."
"You just hit the nail on the head, sweety," Sharon says. "AFTER Tripp's grandfather died, because I couldn't come back before that old man was gone."
"I'm afraid I don't follow," says Pamela.
"Then let me tell you a story. I was 21-years-old when I met Tommy McKay. He was 24, and drop dead gorgeous, just like Tripp. For me, it was love at first sight. We started dating, and eventually I think he fell in love with me. But Tommy was a wild one. He wasn't at all happy when he found I was pregnant with Tripp and Hunter. But, he tried to do the right thing. He got a job, and worked hard to support us. But he had a serious drug problem, and a talent for finding trouble. Tommy was in jail the night I gave birth to the twins. Then, within a couple of months, he got into more serious trouble when he was arrested in South America. I kept tellin' him, Tommy, you need to go to your daddy for help, but he refused. Said he didn't want anything that man had. So, Tommy was sentenced to prison in that dirty South American hell hole, leaving me with two little baby boys and no one to turn to. So I moved on, thinkin' that Tommy was gonna be in prison for a long, long time. I moved to Oklahoma City and worked my ass off to support my kids. Then, a couple years later I heard Tommy was outta prison, but, before I was able to come to Dallas, I heard he'd been killed. So, left with no choice, I did my best to raise my boys as a single mother. Oh, I had a few boyfriends over the next few years, but the minute they found they I had twin boys........man they hit the road fast. Except for this one guy. He wanted to stick around, but, the downside to that was I found out he was a convicted child molester out on parole. Needless to say, I kicked his ass to the curb real fast. It was a hard life, working as a waitress just to keep food in my babies' mouths. And my own. A friend of mine kept the boys while I worked, but, it was no kinda life. I knew Tommy's daddy was real rich, so, I brought my boys here to Dallas and told their grandfather to take them. He agreed, after of course, he had proof they were really his grandchildren. Originally, the arrangement was only gonna be temporary, until I could establish myself financially. While I was here, I met this guy and fell in love again. Shawn's father, Mark. Well, we had our ups and downs, but, eventually, I did come back for my boys, four years after I left them with Old Man McKay."
"Then why didn't they live with you?" Pamela asks.
"Because McKay wouldn't let me have them. I promised him that I would fight him in every court in the land, but, he reminded me that I was nothin' but trailer trash and he was very rich and very powerful, and could do anything to me he wanted, including, making me disappear. Well, what the hell could I do? Later, I had Shawn. But I never stopped longing for Tripp and Hunter. Mark was arrested and sent to prison on a drug charge, and I knew that would go against me as far as getting my boys back. I went to Carter McKay and I begged that man to let me at least see my boys. You know what he did? That sorry old bastard laughed in my face and then offered me money to get lost and never come back to Dallas again. When I told him he could take his offer and go to hell, he did somethin' that left me no choice but to do what he wanted, which was to leave Tripp and Hunter alone."
"What was that?" Pamela asks.
"He said that if I didn't do what he said and leave Dallas and never come back........he'd make sure my husband never got out of prison, AND he would make sure that Shawn was taken away from me. So, unless I left Hunter and Tripp with him and never contacted them again, I'd lose everything else."
"Oh my God."
"So, I decided I had no choice but to wait. McKay was in his mid-70s then, so I knew that old son of a bitch couldn't live forever. I just never expected him to live this long. You see, Pamela, I waited until that devil was finally dead before I felt it safe to come back to Dallas. And imagine how it felt to walk up to McKay's grave after his funeral and see the grave of one of my sons next to it. I didn't even know my own son had died." Sharon starts to cry.
"I......I'm sorry, Pamela says. "Look, Sharon, Tripp needs to hear this."
"I wanted to tell him the other night, but he was so........bitter.......he never gave me a chance. And then when he came here yesterday while I was out and he met Shawn.......Lord, he must think that I abandoned him and Hunter, but kept another child."
"That's EXACTLY what he thinks. That's why he needs to know the truth. Sharon, I'll talk to him."
"Thank you," Sharon says with a smile as she wipes a tear.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I'd like to know why you're here. I mean, why NOW? You haven't seen Tripp since he was 7-years-old in 1994. Why did you wait all these years to come back to see him, AFTER his grandfather died."
"You just hit the nail on the head, sweety," Sharon says. "AFTER Tripp's grandfather died, because I couldn't come back before that old man was gone."
"I'm afraid I don't follow," says Pamela.
"Then let me tell you a story. I was 21-years-old when I met Tommy McKay. He was 24, and drop dead gorgeous, just like Tripp. For me, it was love at first sight. We started dating, and eventually I think he fell in love with me. But Tommy was a wild one. He wasn't at all happy when he found I was pregnant with Tripp and Hunter. But, he tried to do the right thing. He got a job, and worked hard to support us. But he had a serious drug problem, and a talent for finding trouble. Tommy was in jail the night I gave birth to the twins. Then, within a couple of months, he got into more serious trouble when he was arrested in South America. I kept tellin' him, Tommy, you need to go to your daddy for help, but he refused. Said he didn't want anything that man had. So, Tommy was sentenced to prison in that dirty South American hell hole, leaving me with two little baby boys and no one to turn to. So I moved on, thinkin' that Tommy was gonna be in prison for a long, long time. I moved to Oklahoma City and worked my ass off to support my kids. Then, a couple years later I heard Tommy was outta prison, but, before I was able to come to Dallas, I heard he'd been killed. So, left with no choice, I did my best to raise my boys as a single mother. Oh, I had a few boyfriends over the next few years, but the minute they found they I had twin boys........man they hit the road fast. Except for this one guy. He wanted to stick around, but, the downside to that was I found out he was a convicted child molester out on parole. Needless to say, I kicked his ass to the curb real fast. It was a hard life, working as a waitress just to keep food in my babies' mouths. And my own. A friend of mine kept the boys while I worked, but, it was no kinda life. I knew Tommy's daddy was real rich, so, I brought my boys here to Dallas and told their grandfather to take them. He agreed, after of course, he had proof they were really his grandchildren. Originally, the arrangement was only gonna be temporary, until I could establish myself financially. While I was here, I met this guy and fell in love again. Shawn's father, Mark. Well, we had our ups and downs, but, eventually, I did come back for my boys, four years after I left them with Old Man McKay."
"Then why didn't they live with you?" Pamela asks.
"Because McKay wouldn't let me have them. I promised him that I would fight him in every court in the land, but, he reminded me that I was nothin' but trailer trash and he was very rich and very powerful, and could do anything to me he wanted, including, making me disappear. Well, what the hell could I do? Later, I had Shawn. But I never stopped longing for Tripp and Hunter. Mark was arrested and sent to prison on a drug charge, and I knew that would go against me as far as getting my boys back. I went to Carter McKay and I begged that man to let me at least see my boys. You know what he did? That sorry old bastard laughed in my face and then offered me money to get lost and never come back to Dallas again. When I told him he could take his offer and go to hell, he did somethin' that left me no choice but to do what he wanted, which was to leave Tripp and Hunter alone."
"What was that?" Pamela asks.
"He said that if I didn't do what he said and leave Dallas and never come back........he'd make sure my husband never got out of prison, AND he would make sure that Shawn was taken away from me. So, unless I left Hunter and Tripp with him and never contacted them again, I'd lose everything else."
"Oh my God."
"So, I decided I had no choice but to wait. McKay was in his mid-70s then, so I knew that old son of a bitch couldn't live forever. I just never expected him to live this long. You see, Pamela, I waited until that devil was finally dead before I felt it safe to come back to Dallas. And imagine how it felt to walk up to McKay's grave after his funeral and see the grave of one of my sons next to it. I didn't even know my own son had died." Sharon starts to cry.
"I......I'm sorry, Pamela says. "Look, Sharon, Tripp needs to hear this."
"I wanted to tell him the other night, but he was so........bitter.......he never gave me a chance. And then when he came here yesterday while I was out and he met Shawn.......Lord, he must think that I abandoned him and Hunter, but kept another child."
"That's EXACTLY what he thinks. That's why he needs to know the truth. Sharon, I'll talk to him."
"Thank you," Sharon says with a smile as she wipes a tear.
Afton's Lounge......that evening
Afton is standing at the piano in her nightclub that evening looking over some new songs. No one else is there and the place is quiet. Afton hears a noise coming from the direction of the dressing rooms. "Hello?" She calls out. "Is anyone there? Stephanie, is that you?" When no one answers, Afton decides it must be her imagination and returns to what she was doing. Then she hears the noise again, almost as if someone is moving around. Afton quickly picks up the first thing she can find to use as a weapon, a large candle holder, and proceeds very cautiously down the hall toward the dressing room. "Hello? Is anyone there?" She again calls out, her voice trembling with fear. Not hearing anything, she starts to turn to go back into the main area of the club but she bumps right into her pianist, Jesse Matthew, and screams.
"Afton," Jesse says.
"Oh my God, Jesse," she says. "You scared the living daylights out of me."
"I'm sorry. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, I'm just.........I was here alone, and I thought I heard someone."
"Afton," Jesse says.
"Oh my God, Jesse," she says. "You scared the living daylights out of me."
"I'm sorry. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, I'm just.........I was here alone, and I thought I heard someone."
"Afton, are you sure you're alright?" Jesse asks. "You seem awfully on edge. Are you sure you're up to rehearsing tonight?"
"Yes, I'm fine, it's just that......well, you know about all those strange gifts I've been receiving."
"Have you gotten another one?" Jesse asks, concern in his voice.
"Yes. This morning."
"Well, I can see why you'd be spooked, especially here all alone. I thought Jan was supposed to be here, too."
"She was. She down the street to that Japanese restaurant to pick us all up some dinner."
"Oh."
"I'm just glad you're here," Afton says.
"Yeah, me, too. Afton, how many of these weird gifts have you received anyway?" Jesse asks.
"I don't even know. I've lost count. But if this continues, I'm going to the police. At first it was flattering, but now, after so many have arrived, and some of them are fairly expensive, it's really freaking me out."
"I understand. Anyone would be freaked out," Jesse says as they hear someone coming.
"Afton, hello, Jesse," says a young blonde woman of about 27 as she walks in carrying two large bags and a gift bag.
"Jan, I'm glad you're back," Afton says.
"Yes, I'm fine, it's just that......well, you know about all those strange gifts I've been receiving."
"Have you gotten another one?" Jesse asks, concern in his voice.
"Yes. This morning."
"Well, I can see why you'd be spooked, especially here all alone. I thought Jan was supposed to be here, too."
"She was. She down the street to that Japanese restaurant to pick us all up some dinner."
"Oh."
"I'm just glad you're here," Afton says.
"Yeah, me, too. Afton, how many of these weird gifts have you received anyway?" Jesse asks.
"I don't even know. I've lost count. But if this continues, I'm going to the police. At first it was flattering, but now, after so many have arrived, and some of them are fairly expensive, it's really freaking me out."
"I understand. Anyone would be freaked out," Jesse says as they hear someone coming.
"Afton, hello, Jesse," says a young blonde woman of about 27 as she walks in carrying two large bags and a gift bag.
"Jan, I'm glad you're back," Afton says.
"Afton, I found this outside," Jan says, handing Afton the small gift bag.
"What's this?" Afton asks nervously.
"I don't know, but it's got your name on it."
Afton takes the bag and pulls out the paper inside. Reaching in, she brings out an expensive looking locket.
"Wow that looks expensive," Jan says.
"Yeah, it sure does," agrees Jesse. "Is there a card or anything with it?"
"No," Afton replies, looking into the bag. She then opens the locket to reveal a small photo of her late mother, Arliss Cooper. "Oh my God," she gasps.
"Afton, what is it?" Jesse asks.
"What's this?" Afton asks nervously.
"I don't know, but it's got your name on it."
Afton takes the bag and pulls out the paper inside. Reaching in, she brings out an expensive looking locket.
"Wow that looks expensive," Jan says.
"Yeah, it sure does," agrees Jesse. "Is there a card or anything with it?"
"No," Afton replies, looking into the bag. She then opens the locket to reveal a small photo of her late mother, Arliss Cooper. "Oh my God," she gasps.
"Afton, what is it?" Jesse asks.
"This picture," Afton says, shaking. "It's my mother." Now, Afton is really spooked by these bizarre gifts.
Southfork.....
That night, Krystina is in her and John Ross's bedroom getting ready to go out to dinner, when John Ross comes in from the bathroom.
"What time is our reservation? Krystina asks.
"Not til 8:30. We got plenty of time," replies John Ross.
"I hope that new restaurant's as good as your mother says it is."
"What time is our reservation? Krystina asks.
"Not til 8:30. We got plenty of time," replies John Ross.
"I hope that new restaurant's as good as your mother says it is."
"Mama swears by it," says John Ross. "But, you know, I'm not really that hungry. At least not for food."
Krystina looks at him and smiles. "And, what are you hungry for?"
John Ross walks over to her and kisses her. "That answer your question?"
"Yes, but......."
John Ross kisses her again. "We've got plenty of time before we have to meet Mama at that new restaurant."
"No, we don't. We have to stop by and pick Alex up, remember?'
"He won't mind if we're a few minutes late," John Ross says, kissing her again.
"Don't you ever think about anything else besides sex?"
"When I'm with you? Uh-uh," John Ross replies.
"John Ross, come on. If we don't stop this now, we're not gonna even make that dinner reservation."
Krystina looks at him and smiles. "And, what are you hungry for?"
John Ross walks over to her and kisses her. "That answer your question?"
"Yes, but......."
John Ross kisses her again. "We've got plenty of time before we have to meet Mama at that new restaurant."
"No, we don't. We have to stop by and pick Alex up, remember?'
"He won't mind if we're a few minutes late," John Ross says, kissing her again.
"Don't you ever think about anything else besides sex?"
"When I'm with you? Uh-uh," John Ross replies.
"John Ross, come on. If we don't stop this now, we're not gonna even make that dinner reservation."
"Well, I really don't care," John Ross says, continuing to kiss his wife.
"Oh, hell, neither do I," Krystina says as she pulls John Ross's shirt off, and the two continue to kiss very
"Oh, hell, neither do I," Krystina says as she pulls John Ross's shirt off, and the two continue to kiss very
passionately. Within a very short time the two are in bed making love, having forgotten all about their
dinner reservations and plans to meet Sue Ellen....
Later....
After making love, John Ross and Krystina lay in bed, smiles on their faces.
"John Ross, that was amazing," says Krystina.
"Now aren't you glad I talked you into that?"
"Yes. What times is it?"
John Ross reaches over and picks up his phone and looks at it. "Damn, it's a little after 8:30, and I have 3 missed calls.....two from Alex and one from Mama."
"John Ross, we should've just gone to dinner," Krystina says. "Now Sue Ellen is going to be really mad, and so will Alex."
"I'll make it up to 'em somehow," John Ross says as he slips his shirt on.
"John Ross?"
"Yeah, darlin'?"
"Remember the other day when we were talking in your office and you said that one day you planned to be running Ewing Oil, the way your father always planned?"
"Yeah, I remember. What about it?" John Ross asks.
"How exactly are you gonna accomplish that? I mean, what about Bobby and Christopher?"
"John Ross, that was amazing," says Krystina.
"Now aren't you glad I talked you into that?"
"Yes. What times is it?"
John Ross reaches over and picks up his phone and looks at it. "Damn, it's a little after 8:30, and I have 3 missed calls.....two from Alex and one from Mama."
"John Ross, we should've just gone to dinner," Krystina says. "Now Sue Ellen is going to be really mad, and so will Alex."
"I'll make it up to 'em somehow," John Ross says as he slips his shirt on.
"John Ross?"
"Yeah, darlin'?"
"Remember the other day when we were talking in your office and you said that one day you planned to be running Ewing Oil, the way your father always planned?"
"Yeah, I remember. What about it?" John Ross asks.
"How exactly are you gonna accomplish that? I mean, what about Bobby and Christopher?"
"Well, Krystina, I love my uncle," John Ross says. "But, Uncle Bobby's gonna have to retire sometime, or, God forbid, pass on. And Christopher.........well my cousin was never as committed to Ewing Oil as I've been. Once Uncle Bobby retires, I doubt Christopher will stay with the comp'ny."
"What makes you so sure?" Krystina asks. "Christopher seems pretty committed to Ewing Oil these days."
"Trust me, if Christopher had somethin' else goin' on in his life, Ewing Oil would take a back seat in a minute. After all, it wuttin' that long ago he was into alternate energy. Then there's that record label he and my cousin Bobby out in California are workin' on gettin' off the ground. Christopher duttin' belong at Ewing Oil. My Daddy was the one Grandpa Jock handed that comp'ny over to, and my Daddy is the one who ran it all those years. Hell, Uncle Bobby even sold the comp'ny not once, but TWICE. Ewing Oil is much more mine than it is theirs. My Daddy groomed me from the time I was real young to run it one day, and he use to tell me all the time that Ewing Oil would be mine when I grew up. For right now, I just have to bide my time and act like I'm not bothered by bein' treated like a damn errand boy around there. But one day it's all gonna pay off, and Ewing Oil will be mine. Just like J.R. always planned."
"What makes you so sure?" Krystina asks. "Christopher seems pretty committed to Ewing Oil these days."
"Trust me, if Christopher had somethin' else goin' on in his life, Ewing Oil would take a back seat in a minute. After all, it wuttin' that long ago he was into alternate energy. Then there's that record label he and my cousin Bobby out in California are workin' on gettin' off the ground. Christopher duttin' belong at Ewing Oil. My Daddy was the one Grandpa Jock handed that comp'ny over to, and my Daddy is the one who ran it all those years. Hell, Uncle Bobby even sold the comp'ny not once, but TWICE. Ewing Oil is much more mine than it is theirs. My Daddy groomed me from the time I was real young to run it one day, and he use to tell me all the time that Ewing Oil would be mine when I grew up. For right now, I just have to bide my time and act like I'm not bothered by bein' treated like a damn errand boy around there. But one day it's all gonna pay off, and Ewing Oil will be mine. Just like J.R. always planned."
"You are such an ambitious man, John Ross," says Krystina.
"Yes I am. But........itn't that one of things that made you fall in love with me in the first place?"
"Yes, it definitely was. Now, I think you really should call your mother and your son and make up some excuse explaining why we missed dinner with them."
"Think I should tell 'em the truth?" John Ross asks.
"That we got delayed by our uncontrollable lust and passion and ended up havin' wild, passionate sex for 45 minutes?"
Krystina laughs. "Ambitious, with a sense of humor. No wonder I fell in love with you."
"Yes I am. But........itn't that one of things that made you fall in love with me in the first place?"
"Yes, it definitely was. Now, I think you really should call your mother and your son and make up some excuse explaining why we missed dinner with them."
"Think I should tell 'em the truth?" John Ross asks.
"That we got delayed by our uncontrollable lust and passion and ended up havin' wild, passionate sex for 45 minutes?"
Krystina laughs. "Ambitious, with a sense of humor. No wonder I fell in love with you."
John Ross rolls over on top of her. "And not to mention my amazingly mad skills in the bedroom, huh?"
"Yeah. Your mad bedroom skills, too, Krystina says, then the two begin kissing again.
Meanwhile.....the Capital Grille Restaurant
An impatient Sue Ellen is waiting at the elegant Capital Grille Restaurant in Dallas for John Ross, Krystina, and Alex. She looks at her watch. 8:45. Finally, her cell phone rings. Picking it up from the table, she sees it's John Ross calling. She answers quickly. "John Ross, where are you? Did something happen?"
Southfork....
"Mama, I am so sorry for missin' dinner, but, Krystina and I are gonna have to take a rain check," John Ross tells his mother.
Capital Grille....
"Is anything wrong?" Sue Ellen asks.
Southfork...
"No, nothin's wrong," John Ross replies. "Somethin' just came up, and we can't make it tonight."
Capital Grille...
"John Ross I wish you would've phoned and let me know earlier," says an irritated Sue Ellen. "No, it's fine. I'll talk to you later, John Ross. Goodnight." Sue Ellen ends the call and puts her phone down. She sighs deeply, annoyed at being kept waiting and then stood up by her son and daughter-in-law.
"Sue Ellen," comes a man's voice. She looks up and sees Catlin Ewing and his son, Catlin, Jr. standing in front of her table.
"Catlin," Sue Ellen says with a smile.
"I thought that was you," says Catlin. "How are you?"
"I'm fine. A bit annoyed. I was supposed to have dinner with my son and his wife, but, I've been stood up."
"Well, I'm sorry to hear that."
"Thank you," Sue Ellen says. "What are you doing back in Dallas?"
"My son and I flew down this afternoon. Tomorrow we're flying down to Cherokee County to check on the wells there."
"Oh, well, how nice."
"Sue Ellen, you remember my son, Catlin, Jr.?"
"Yes, of course."
"Hi," the young man says.
"Sue Ellen, since your son and daughter-in-law are absent, would you mind if we joined you for dinner?" Catlin asks.
Sue Ellen smiles. "I would enjoy that very much," she says. "Please, sit down."
"Wonderful," Catlin says as he and his son take seats at Sue Ellen's table. He and Sue Ellen exchange smiles.
"Sue Ellen," comes a man's voice. She looks up and sees Catlin Ewing and his son, Catlin, Jr. standing in front of her table.
"Catlin," Sue Ellen says with a smile.
"I thought that was you," says Catlin. "How are you?"
"I'm fine. A bit annoyed. I was supposed to have dinner with my son and his wife, but, I've been stood up."
"Well, I'm sorry to hear that."
"Thank you," Sue Ellen says. "What are you doing back in Dallas?"
"My son and I flew down this afternoon. Tomorrow we're flying down to Cherokee County to check on the wells there."
"Oh, well, how nice."
"Sue Ellen, you remember my son, Catlin, Jr.?"
"Yes, of course."
"Hi," the young man says.
"Sue Ellen, since your son and daughter-in-law are absent, would you mind if we joined you for dinner?" Catlin asks.
Sue Ellen smiles. "I would enjoy that very much," she says. "Please, sit down."
"Wonderful," Catlin says as he and his son take seats at Sue Ellen's table. He and Sue Ellen exchange smiles.
Charlie's house.....the next morning
Charlie walks into the living room of her home the next morning just as her doorbell rings. She walks over and opens the door to find John Ross on her porch.
"Mornin', Charlie," he says.
"John Ross. You're about 13 hours late."
"Look, I know I was supposed to pick Alex up last night and take him to dinner, but....."
"But, something more important came up, huh?" Charlie asks sarcastically.
"I'm sorry."
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to. Look, John Ross, when I agreed to let you and Alex see each other and spend time together, I had my reservations. But then I see the two of you together, and I think I did the right thing. However, this is the second time you've stood him up."
"I said I was sorry," says John Ross. "I texted Alex last night and apologized."
Alex comes down the hall and into the living room. He pauses when he sees his father.
"Mornin', Charlie," he says.
"John Ross. You're about 13 hours late."
"Look, I know I was supposed to pick Alex up last night and take him to dinner, but....."
"But, something more important came up, huh?" Charlie asks sarcastically.
"I'm sorry."
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to. Look, John Ross, when I agreed to let you and Alex see each other and spend time together, I had my reservations. But then I see the two of you together, and I think I did the right thing. However, this is the second time you've stood him up."
"I said I was sorry," says John Ross. "I texted Alex last night and apologized."
Alex comes down the hall and into the living room. He pauses when he sees his father.
"John Ross," Alex says. "What are you doing here?"
John Ross walks over to the boy. "I came over to see you. To apologize for last night. Somethin' came up."
"Not the first time it's happened," Alex says. "Probably won't be the last, so no big deal."
"I did text you last night."
"Yeah, I got the text."
"Well, look, I wanna make last night up to you. Krystina and me are flyin' out to California today, and I'd like for you to come with us."
"California?" Alex asks. "Why are you going out there?"
"I have a business meetin', and it's Elena's weekend to see Little John, so I thought I'd take care of both at the same time. So how 'bout it? You wanna go?"
John Ross walks over to the boy. "I came over to see you. To apologize for last night. Somethin' came up."
"Not the first time it's happened," Alex says. "Probably won't be the last, so no big deal."
"I did text you last night."
"Yeah, I got the text."
"Well, look, I wanna make last night up to you. Krystina and me are flyin' out to California today, and I'd like for you to come with us."
"California?" Alex asks. "Why are you going out there?"
"I have a business meetin', and it's Elena's weekend to see Little John, so I thought I'd take care of both at the same time. So how 'bout it? You wanna go?"
"No, absolutely not," Charlie says.
"But Mom, why NOT?" Alex asks.
"Charlie, come on," says John Ross. "It's the weekend, and Alex is outta school Monday for some holiday, right?"
"Teacher's conference," replies Alex.
"I don't want my son trapsing half-way across the country. Besides, don't you have tests next week at school?"
"I don't have tests until Wednesday, Mom," Alex says.
"But Mom, why NOT?" Alex asks.
"Charlie, come on," says John Ross. "It's the weekend, and Alex is outta school Monday for some holiday, right?"
"Teacher's conference," replies Alex.
"I don't want my son trapsing half-way across the country. Besides, don't you have tests next week at school?"
"I don't have tests until Wednesday, Mom," Alex says.
"Come on, Charlie, let the boy go," John Ross says. "I can promise you, he'll be well taken care of."
"Mom, please. I really wanna go," says Alex.
Charlie looks at her son, then at John Ross, then back at Alex. She sighs deeply. "Okay, alright," she says. "You can go. But John Ross, I hold you FULLY responsible for my son while he's with you."
John Ross smiles. "You don't have to worry about that, Charlie," John Ross says. "I promise I'll take real good care of my son."
"When do we leave?" Alex asks.
"Go get packed. We'll run by Southfork and pick up Krystina and the baby, and head to the airport. The Ewing Oil jet's on standby."
"Awesome. I'll hurry and pack," Alex says as he hurries up the stairs.
John Ross looks at Charlie and smiles. "Thank you for lettin' him go."
"John Ross, this is against my better judgement. But, Alex is 16, and, after all, you are his father. I was really angry with you last night for standing him up. Don't make me regret letting him go with you to California. And don't ever make me regret letting you be a part of my son's life by hurting him."
"I'm not gonna hurt that boy, Charlie," John Ross says. "Contrary to what you may think, I love my son."
"I believe that," says Charlie. "I do. But, I also know that you've ended up hurting everyone you've ever loved, John Ross, and that's what worries me about Alex."
"You got nothin' to worry about," John Ross says.
"Mom, please. I really wanna go," says Alex.
Charlie looks at her son, then at John Ross, then back at Alex. She sighs deeply. "Okay, alright," she says. "You can go. But John Ross, I hold you FULLY responsible for my son while he's with you."
John Ross smiles. "You don't have to worry about that, Charlie," John Ross says. "I promise I'll take real good care of my son."
"When do we leave?" Alex asks.
"Go get packed. We'll run by Southfork and pick up Krystina and the baby, and head to the airport. The Ewing Oil jet's on standby."
"Awesome. I'll hurry and pack," Alex says as he hurries up the stairs.
John Ross looks at Charlie and smiles. "Thank you for lettin' him go."
"John Ross, this is against my better judgement. But, Alex is 16, and, after all, you are his father. I was really angry with you last night for standing him up. Don't make me regret letting him go with you to California. And don't ever make me regret letting you be a part of my son's life by hurting him."
"I'm not gonna hurt that boy, Charlie," John Ross says. "Contrary to what you may think, I love my son."
"I believe that," says Charlie. "I do. But, I also know that you've ended up hurting everyone you've ever loved, John Ross, and that's what worries me about Alex."
"You got nothin' to worry about," John Ross says.
The Krebbs Ranch.....later
Early in the afternoon that Saturday, Ray and Conner are in one of the pastures at Ray's ranch, loading some large bales of hay onto the back of a trailer hitched to Ray's truck.
"Boy," Ray says, wiping his forehead with a rag. "Hard to believe it's only March. If it's this hot already, I can't imagine what kinda summer Texas is in for this year."
"Uh-huh," Conner says, sounding uninterested, as if he didn't even hear what Ray was saying.
Ray looks at the young man. "You sure have been down in the mouth these last couple days. Anything goin' on you wanna talk about?"
"I was just thinkin' about Dylan."
"Oh?
"Yeah," Conner says. "He's gonna be getting out of that hospital in three weeks, so, I've been out apartment hunting in my spare time."
"Apartment hunting?"
"Uh-huh," Conner says, sounding uninterested, as if he didn't even hear what Ray was saying.
Ray looks at the young man. "You sure have been down in the mouth these last couple days. Anything goin' on you wanna talk about?"
"I was just thinkin' about Dylan."
"Oh?
"Yeah," Conner says. "He's gonna be getting out of that hospital in three weeks, so, I've been out apartment hunting in my spare time."
"Apartment hunting?"
"Yeah. I can't bring Dylan to Southfork when he gets out because of John Ross. So, we have to have someplace to go."
"Well, I always assumed Dylan would go back to his Mama's house when he got outta the hospital."
"No," Conner says. "Dylan's relationship with his mother right now is.......non-existent. She hasn't been to see him even once since he's been locked up in that mental hospital. He feels like his whole family has abandoned him."
"Except for you?" Ray asks.
"Yes, except for me. Ray, Dylan is the only close family I have left. Oh, I know I have you and the rest of the Ewings, but, Dylan is all I have left of an immediate family. All I have left of my Dad. He's my brother, and when he gets out of Millwood, I'm gonna bring him to live with me, and take care of him."
"I really admire you for that, Conner. You're a good man. But, ya know, you're gonna be takin' on a big responsibility. I remember you tellin' me a while back that Dylan had been diagnosed with manic depressive disorder. He's gonna need a lot of lookin' after. He's gonna be on medication for the rest of his life, and he has 2 years' probation for what he did to John Ross. Now are you sure you're ready to take on all that?"
Conner lowers his head for a moment, then looks up at Ray. "Yeah, Ray. I'm sure. Dylan has suffered enough. And some of the very people he counted on most seem to have abandoned him when he needed them. I'm not gonna do that. He's my little brother. Wouldn't you do the same for Bobby?"
Ray looks at him and smiles, then nods his head. "Yeah, I guess I would. Well look, I have an idea. I know a place where you and Dylan can live, and it'll be good for both of ya."
"Oh yeah? Where?"
"Right here," Ray replies. "How'd you like to come here and live with Donna and me?"
"Ray, I........I don't know about that. How do you think Donna would feel about that? She's never even met Dylan. Besides, the two of you just got married."
"Just let me talk to her. But I think she'll agree. Besides, it'll be real nice havin' two young folks in the house. Now come on, let's get this here hay over to the barn. We got a whole 'nother field of hay to load by late afternoon."
"Well, I always assumed Dylan would go back to his Mama's house when he got outta the hospital."
"No," Conner says. "Dylan's relationship with his mother right now is.......non-existent. She hasn't been to see him even once since he's been locked up in that mental hospital. He feels like his whole family has abandoned him."
"Except for you?" Ray asks.
"Yes, except for me. Ray, Dylan is the only close family I have left. Oh, I know I have you and the rest of the Ewings, but, Dylan is all I have left of an immediate family. All I have left of my Dad. He's my brother, and when he gets out of Millwood, I'm gonna bring him to live with me, and take care of him."
"I really admire you for that, Conner. You're a good man. But, ya know, you're gonna be takin' on a big responsibility. I remember you tellin' me a while back that Dylan had been diagnosed with manic depressive disorder. He's gonna need a lot of lookin' after. He's gonna be on medication for the rest of his life, and he has 2 years' probation for what he did to John Ross. Now are you sure you're ready to take on all that?"
Conner lowers his head for a moment, then looks up at Ray. "Yeah, Ray. I'm sure. Dylan has suffered enough. And some of the very people he counted on most seem to have abandoned him when he needed them. I'm not gonna do that. He's my little brother. Wouldn't you do the same for Bobby?"
Ray looks at him and smiles, then nods his head. "Yeah, I guess I would. Well look, I have an idea. I know a place where you and Dylan can live, and it'll be good for both of ya."
"Oh yeah? Where?"
"Right here," Ray replies. "How'd you like to come here and live with Donna and me?"
"Ray, I........I don't know about that. How do you think Donna would feel about that? She's never even met Dylan. Besides, the two of you just got married."
"Just let me talk to her. But I think she'll agree. Besides, it'll be real nice havin' two young folks in the house. Now come on, let's get this here hay over to the barn. We got a whole 'nother field of hay to load by late afternoon."
Tripp and Pamela's apartment....
Tripp walks into his and Pamela's apartment that afternoon, having returned from a run. Pamela comes into the living room from the bedroom.
"How was your run?" She asks.
"Fine," Tripp replies in an angry tone.
Pamela walks up to her husband. "Tripp, we have to talk about this."
"Talk about what, Pamela?"
"About this situation," Pamela replies. "Your mother."
"How was your run?" She asks.
"Fine," Tripp replies in an angry tone.
Pamela walks up to her husband. "Tripp, we have to talk about this."
"Talk about what, Pamela?"
"About this situation," Pamela replies. "Your mother."
"Pamela, there's nothing to talk about," Tripp says.
"Yes, there is. Tripp, if you would just talk to her. Just LISTEN to what the woman has to say, and you might not judge her so harshly."
Tripp looks at his wife. "And how do you know this, Pamela? You talk as if you know something that I don't know. Do you?"
Pamela sighs deeply. "Yes. I went to see your mother the other day."
"Oh, just great," says an angry Tripp. "Just GREAT, Pamela. I don't believe you did that."
"I had to find out why she was here. What she wanted."
"I already KNOW what she wants," Tripp says. "She wants some of that McKay money my Granddad left behind, that I'm gonna inherit whenever his will is read. THAT'S what the woman wants, and nothing else."
"Tripp...."
"Look, Pamela, I don't wanna talk about Sharon Rogers anymore, or Sharon Smith, or whatever the hell her name is these days. Just let it go, and let her go back to wherever it is she came from with that kid of hers. I'm gonna go take a shower." Tripp walks past his wife and into the bedroom.
"Yes, there is. Tripp, if you would just talk to her. Just LISTEN to what the woman has to say, and you might not judge her so harshly."
Tripp looks at his wife. "And how do you know this, Pamela? You talk as if you know something that I don't know. Do you?"
Pamela sighs deeply. "Yes. I went to see your mother the other day."
"Oh, just great," says an angry Tripp. "Just GREAT, Pamela. I don't believe you did that."
"I had to find out why she was here. What she wanted."
"I already KNOW what she wants," Tripp says. "She wants some of that McKay money my Granddad left behind, that I'm gonna inherit whenever his will is read. THAT'S what the woman wants, and nothing else."
"Tripp...."
"Look, Pamela, I don't wanna talk about Sharon Rogers anymore, or Sharon Smith, or whatever the hell her name is these days. Just let it go, and let her go back to wherever it is she came from with that kid of hers. I'm gonna go take a shower." Tripp walks past his wife and into the bedroom.
Southfork....
Meanwhile, Christopher and Courtney are enjoying a beautiful and warm Saturday afternoon riding horses at Southfork.
"Christopher, Southfork is absolutely beautiful," Courtney says.
"Christopher, Southfork is absolutely beautiful," Courtney says.
"Yeah, didn't I tell you that you were gonna enjoy this?" Asks Christopher.
"I really have. So just how big is Southfork anyway?" Courtney asks.
"About 90,000 acres."
"Wow. I would get so lost here."
"Yeah, it's easy to do if you don't know your way around this ranch."
"You really love it here, don't you?"
"I really do," Christopher replies. "I couldn't have asked for a better place to grow up than right here at Southfork. And one day, I want my own children to grow up here, too, just like generations of Ewings and Southworths have."
"Southworths?" Courtney asks.
"Yeah, that was, uh, my grandmother, Ellie Ewing Farlow, Southworth was her maiden name. Her grandfather, Enoch Southworth is the one who started this ranch back in the late 1850s. When he died, he passed it onto my grandmother's father, Aaron Southworth, who left it to my grandparents."
"That is QUITE a family legacy. Your family is so lucky, Christopher. Not only do you have Ewing Oil, which your grandfather started decades ago, but also this beautiful ranch, passed down in your family for several generations. I really envy that."
Christopher looks at her and smiles. "I'm lucky for another reason, too," he says.
"Oh? What reason is that?"
"I met you."
Courtney smiles back at him as they continue their ride.
"Southworths?" Courtney asks.
"Yeah, that was, uh, my grandmother, Ellie Ewing Farlow, Southworth was her maiden name. Her grandfather, Enoch Southworth is the one who started this ranch back in the late 1850s. When he died, he passed it onto my grandmother's father, Aaron Southworth, who left it to my grandparents."
"That is QUITE a family legacy. Your family is so lucky, Christopher. Not only do you have Ewing Oil, which your grandfather started decades ago, but also this beautiful ranch, passed down in your family for several generations. I really envy that."
Christopher looks at her and smiles. "I'm lucky for another reason, too," he says.
"Oh? What reason is that?"
"I met you."
Courtney smiles back at him as they continue their ride.
Justin and Amanda's home....late afternoon
Late that Saturday afternoon, Justin fires up the grill as he and Amanda are hosting their first cookout as a married couple. While Amanda chats on the back porch with Jill, and Amanda's friend, Katelyn, Jimmy brings a box full of defrosted hamburgers and hot dogs from the kitchen and places them on the table beside the grill.
"Thanks bro," Justin says to Jimmy.
"You are welcome," Jimmy says. "This is a great afternoon to grill out. Weather's nice."
"Yeah it is," Justin says, picking up his bottle of beer. "Let's toast.... great food, awesome weather, and great friends and family."
"I'll drink to that," Jimmy says, picking up his own beer and toasting with Justin.
"So, Jimmy, my bro......what do ya think of Katelyn? Real cute, huh?"
Jimmy looks at the beautiful dark haired young woman on the porch chatting with Jill and Amanda. "Yeah," he replies. "She's really........ very beautiful."
"Yeah, didn't I tell ya?" Justin asks. "See, I'd never set you up with a dud. So, do ya think you and she might hit it off?"
Jimmy looks at his uncle. "Justin, I don't know yet. Come on, dude, I just met the girl. At least give us a chance to get to know one another before you go get fitted for a tux to be my best man.
Justin laughs. "Well, what better way to get to know her than to take her for a little walk?"
"Yeah, didn't I tell ya?" Justin asks. "See, I'd never set you up with a dud. So, do ya think you and she might hit it off?"
Jimmy looks at his uncle. "Justin, I don't know yet. Come on, dude, I just met the girl. At least give us a chance to get to know one another before you go get fitted for a tux to be my best man.
Justin laughs. "Well, what better way to get to know her than to take her for a little walk?"
Meanwhile, on the porch, Amanda is chatting with her friend Katelyn and with Jill.
"So, Katie," Amanda says to her friend. "What do you think about Jimmy? Isn't he gorgeous?"
"Oh, yes," Katelyn replies, looking at Jimmy and Justin. "Jimmy is definitely a real hottie. But so's your husband. Good looks really must run in Justin's family."
"Oh good looks definitely DO run in our family," Jill says with a smile.
"Speaking of good looking husbands, where is Jay?" Amanda asks.
"I thought he'd be here by now," Jill replies. "I'm gonna call him again."
"Surely he can't be working all day on a Saturday," says Amanda.
"He's been working on a very complicated case. And he got behind while we were away on our honeymoon for so long." Jill takes her phone from her purse and walks off the porch into the yard to make her call. As she is speed dialing Jay's number, his car drives up and comes to a stop behind hers. Putting her phone away, she walks out to meet him.
"Hi, sweetheart, sorry I'm late," Jay says, greeting his new wife with a kiss.
"It's okay, I'm just glad you made it."
"Jay, what's up?" Justin says.
"Hey, Justin, Jimmy," says Jay.
"Glad you made it," Justin says. "I just put the burgers and dogs on."
"Anything I can do to help?" Jay asks.
"Yep, you can grab a beer and enjoy yourself."
Jay laughs. "Sounds good to me. It's been a long day."
"Case getting you down?" Jill asks.
Jay sighs. "It's just a complicated one. Lot of legal red tape."
"Come on, I want you to meet someone." Jill takes her husband by the hand and leads him onto the porch.
"Hi, Jay," says Amanda.
"Amanda, howya doin'?" Jay says, kissing Amanda on the cheek.
"I'm great. Jay, I'd like for you to meet my friend, Katelyn Spencer. Katie, this is my brother-in-law, Jay Smithfield, Jill's husband."
"Katelyn, nice to meet you."
"Same here, Jay," Katelyn says, shaking his hand. "Well, you girls were right. This family is just overflowing with good looking men."
Jimmy comes onto the porch at that moment. "Katelyn, would you like to take a walk? I could kinda show you around the place?"
The young woman looks at him and smiles. "I'd love to." She gets up from her seat and she and Jimmy walk off together. Amanda and Justin exchange looks and smiles, hopeful that their matchmaking will pay off for both Jimmy and Katelyn.
"It's okay, I'm just glad you made it."
"Jay, what's up?" Justin says.
"Hey, Justin, Jimmy," says Jay.
"Glad you made it," Justin says. "I just put the burgers and dogs on."
"Anything I can do to help?" Jay asks.
"Yep, you can grab a beer and enjoy yourself."
Jay laughs. "Sounds good to me. It's been a long day."
"Case getting you down?" Jill asks.
Jay sighs. "It's just a complicated one. Lot of legal red tape."
"Come on, I want you to meet someone." Jill takes her husband by the hand and leads him onto the porch.
"Hi, Jay," says Amanda.
"Amanda, howya doin'?" Jay says, kissing Amanda on the cheek.
"I'm great. Jay, I'd like for you to meet my friend, Katelyn Spencer. Katie, this is my brother-in-law, Jay Smithfield, Jill's husband."
"Katelyn, nice to meet you."
"Same here, Jay," Katelyn says, shaking his hand. "Well, you girls were right. This family is just overflowing with good looking men."
Jimmy comes onto the porch at that moment. "Katelyn, would you like to take a walk? I could kinda show you around the place?"
The young woman looks at him and smiles. "I'd love to." She gets up from her seat and she and Jimmy walk off together. Amanda and Justin exchange looks and smiles, hopeful that their matchmaking will pay off for both Jimmy and Katelyn.
Cliff's apartment......evening
"Afton, come on," Cliff says as he argues with Afton in the apartment they share that evening. "I think it's time you went to the police about these crazy gifts you've been getting."
"And tell them WHAT, Cliff?" Afton asks. "No crime has been committed here, and that's exactly what the police will say."
"But this latest gift is really crossing the line here. A locket with your Mama's picture in it? Afton that's really bizarre. How did this creep Arliss's picture anyway?"
"I have no idea. Look, I have to go. I'll be late for my opening number. Now are you coming to hear me sing, or not?"
"Of course, I'm coming."
"Good," Afton says. "Pamela and Tripp are coming to the Lounge for dinner tonight."
"Maybe the distraction will get Tripp's mind off this thing with his mother showing outta nowhere after all these years."
"I hope so. Let's go." Afton grabs her jacket from the sofa, and as she and Cliff start to leave, the phone rings.
"Who could that be?" Cliff asks.
"I have no idea."
Cliff walks over and picks up the phone. "Hello? Yes, she is. Hold on. Afton, it's for you."
"For me?" Asks a surprised Afton. She walks over and takes the phone. "Hello, this is Afton Cooper," she says.
"Afton," says a man's raspy voice on the other end of the line.
"Yes, who is this?"
"Did you like your latest gift? The locket with the picture of your dearly departed mother?" The raspy voice asks.
"Who the HELL IS THIS!? Afton yells.
Cliff walks over and grabs the phone from her. "Who is this?" Cliff demands to know. Next thing he hears is a click. He puts the phone down and looks at Afton. "They hung up. What did they say?"
"It was a man. He asked me........how I liked the locket with my Mama's picture. Cliff, I'm really starting to get scared."
"And tell them WHAT, Cliff?" Afton asks. "No crime has been committed here, and that's exactly what the police will say."
"But this latest gift is really crossing the line here. A locket with your Mama's picture in it? Afton that's really bizarre. How did this creep Arliss's picture anyway?"
"I have no idea. Look, I have to go. I'll be late for my opening number. Now are you coming to hear me sing, or not?"
"Of course, I'm coming."
"Good," Afton says. "Pamela and Tripp are coming to the Lounge for dinner tonight."
"Maybe the distraction will get Tripp's mind off this thing with his mother showing outta nowhere after all these years."
"I hope so. Let's go." Afton grabs her jacket from the sofa, and as she and Cliff start to leave, the phone rings.
"Who could that be?" Cliff asks.
"I have no idea."
Cliff walks over and picks up the phone. "Hello? Yes, she is. Hold on. Afton, it's for you."
"For me?" Asks a surprised Afton. She walks over and takes the phone. "Hello, this is Afton Cooper," she says.
"Afton," says a man's raspy voice on the other end of the line.
"Yes, who is this?"
"Did you like your latest gift? The locket with the picture of your dearly departed mother?" The raspy voice asks.
"Who the HELL IS THIS!? Afton yells.
Cliff walks over and grabs the phone from her. "Who is this?" Cliff demands to know. Next thing he hears is a click. He puts the phone down and looks at Afton. "They hung up. What did they say?"
"It was a man. He asked me........how I liked the locket with my Mama's picture. Cliff, I'm really starting to get scared."
"Well, Afton," Cliff says angrily. "NOW are you ready to call the police? Sending harmless gifts is one thing, but now this creep is calling our home."
Afton looks at Cliff, knowing he is right, and feeling a definite chill as she continues to hear that creepy, raspy voice on the phone.