Justin Harper Dominique Jack Ewing Barbara & Bryan Safi Jillian Renfro Kate Williams Melissa McSween Lucas Krebbs Eric Stone Theresa Mandy Winger and Janice Kelly
Jesse Murray and Justin Stiles
Kristin Cashmere Chad Cox Karin Schill and Andy Smithers
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 Southfork Ranch
He took one sip, then thought back to what Melissa had said:
“Just consider yourself lucky that's all you feel like. You could've gotten yourself killed last night…and if you'd tried to drive home…” What the hell was he thinking? He'd never get Megan back if he kept this up…never. In a moment of decisiveness, Christopher hurried into the kitchen and poured the bourbon down the sink. But, that wasn't enough. He knew he'd crave it again later…he might have overcome it for a second, but it was like in The Exorcist…it would take over him again…and to think of it, alcohol wasn't much different from the devil. The room was still empty and Christopher went back to the cabinet and grabbed armfuls of bottles. One by one, he poured them down the drain. It took a half-hour, but every bottle from the cabinet was empty. “Mr. Christopher, what are you doing?” Christopher froze and turned in Theresa's direction. “Theresa, I don't want anymore liquor brought up from the wine cellar.” “But I'm sure one of the other Ewings will want…” “I don't give a damn what…just don't do it, okay? Please?” “Yes sir.” “And lock it…I want the wine cellar locked…don't tell me where the key is.” Theresa was befuddled, but she nodded her head. “Is there anything else I can do for you?” Christopher was shaking and beginning to wish he hadn't poured out the bottles. “Yeah…have Raoul lock my car up in the garage…and hide my keys.” Theresa nodded and left him in the kitchen alone. Christopher just hoped he'd be able to overcome his demons without rehab or therapy. “Christopher?” He was biting his fingernails when Karen walked into the room. “Hey Honey.” “What's wrong? You look a wreck.” “Nothing!” he snapped. “God, I didn't mean to yell at you. I'm sorry…Karen.” She pulled him to her and kissed him. “I've got some good news for you.” “Really? I could use…yeah, what's the good news?” “I didn't really go shopping today.” “Where did you go?” “I was at the hospital, seeing Dr. Lindquist…” “Oh my God Karen, you're pregnant?” Karen's smile soon fell. “No, not that. But almost as good!” Christopher was becoming annoyed with her excitement. Why didn't she just come out and tell him?. “What is it then?” “I'm now officially a member of the Dallas work force.” “What?” “A few days after I got back from Turning Point, I decided I wanted to do something with my life, other than sit around here at Southfork all the time. I'd always wanted to be a doctor, but of course that means years and years of medical school, so, I did the next best thing…I applied for a position to work in the cancer ward…didn't require any experience or anything like that…” Karen noticed that Christopher wasn't sharing her enthusiasm. “Karen…why would you want to do that? You don't need the money…” “Boredom…and my mother died of cancer, remember? I was on a school trip during her last days…I didn't know she was going to die…I missed talking to her and being with her…now I want to be there for all of those other cancer patients…for the older ones…for the children.” “Look, I understand why you would want to do that now…but how long is this going to last? I mean, is it a temporary thing? And when do you start?” “That's the bad news…I start tomorrow, on Thanksgiving.” “But we're going to Uncle Cliff's tomorrow afternoon, remember? And Grandma is having a dinner tomorrow night.” “I'm sorry Chris, I can't go. We're doing something special for all of the cancer patients…so many people forget about them on Thanksgiving…” “You told me you would go…” “I'm sorry. I'll be home before Miss Ellie's dinner though.” “Okay then,” Christopher said coldly. She had NO idea how much he needed her support. He needed her there at Cliff's house tomorrow…he didn't think he could do it by himself…he needed her support to overcome his drinking problem…but now she'd be spending all of her time at the hospital…what he needed now, was a drink. “Thanks, I knew you'd understand.” Karen hugged him and left the room. Seconds later, Theresa re-entered. “Theresa, forget about what I said. Bring me up a bottle of something…anything.” Theresa now looked worried. She had witnessed the effects of alcohol time and time again. She'd never before interfered in the Ewings' personal lives, but she felt she had to step in this time. She dropped the professional tone she'd always used before and replaced it with another tone…a motherly one. “Christopher…” He turned to her, surprised to hear her call him that. “Just do what I said.” “No, I won't.” “I said do it.” “Don't do this to yourself,” Theresa said, the concern showing through. “Look, if you've decided you don't want to follow orders anymore, I will happily show you the door.” “Do what you have to do, but I will not bring you any alcohol. May I tell you a story?” Theresa didn't wait for an answer. “When I lived in Mexico, my Papa drank. He drank day in and day out and Mama would try to stop him, but he beat her. Our family lived in poverty forever, because he could not go out and get a decent job. I was old enough to remember him before he started drinking. He was a kind and caring man who would do anything for his family…but he lost his job and turned to the bottle. I saw him transform from that caring Papa I knew, into a monster.” “What happened to him?” “He drank too much one night and died…Mama never got over it and she died of a broken heart. Now I've been working here at Southfork since before you were born. I was here when Mr. Bobby and Miss Pam brought you home and I was here to watch you grow into the fine young man you've become…there were many many times when I wanted to object about the way you were being raised, but I knew it wasn't my place to…but now, I have to object. Don't do to Miss Pam and Miss Karen and little Megan Eleanor what my Papa did to me…be there for them.” From upstairs, Theresa's name was called and she turned and left Christopher alone in the living room. His craving was gone.
“Hey,” he smiled. It had been a long time since he had felt excited. “Hey yourself. I'll be ready to go in one second, let me just fluff.” She darted down the hallway towards the restroom. Todd laughed. He noticed that Janice had a lot of her own little sayings. They were endearing. “Well Todd, what can I do for you?” J.R. was coming out of his office. “Have a coronary,” Todd responded, without missing a beat. “You'll be having one soon, smoking all those cigarettes.” He brushed right past Todd, and headed towards the elevators. “Bye Sly, I'm off to catch a rat.” Todd wondered who the lucky party was. Janice came back a moment later, swinging her purse. “Allrighty, let's blow this popsicle stand.” “Bye Janice,” Sly called out, a teasing tone in her voice. As the elevator doors opened, Todd asked “Is your mom working today?” “No, dentist appointment. Thank God!” The doors shut. “You guys really don't get along?” “She's just so controlling. I can't take it. Obviously it stems from her lack of financial security in her childhood,” Janice said, almost nonchalantly. Todd couldn't believe her! She was as sarcastic as he was. “How very Dawson's Creek of you. What an analytical mind!” He said, jokingly as he knocked lightly on his own head, for effect. All of a sudden, the elevator jerked to a stop and the lights went out. “Oh this is just great,” Janice said. “If only we had some pills….” Todd said, with faux desperation. “Wouldn't work. No vodka to wash them down with.” Janice replied, deadpan. After a moment, they both burst out into laughter.
Cliff was going over some geological reports with Bryan Safi as J.R. pulled in. Coincidentally, Afton and Barbara Safi had arrived just a moment before, after a long day of lunching and shopping. “Barnes,” J.R. yelled as he slammed the door of his car. “Uh-Oh, this is going to be good,” Afton whispered to Barbara. “That's what you said the last time this happened, when that old lady came and yelled. Who's that?” “That's J.R. It's gonna hit the fan now, you just watch.” Afton said, nodding towards J.R. and Cliff. “You're trespassing.” Cliff didn't even bother looking up from the report. “I don't give a damn what I'm doing. You better stop this drilling right now.” J.R. issued the threat. “Or what, you're going to go crying to mama? I own this land. Now get off.” Cliff looked him squarely in the eyes. Bryan backed away a bit, frightened that fists were soon going to be involved. “I don't have to do anything. Donna's doing it all for me.” J.R. laughed. “Ironic, isn't it Barnes? You help her become mayor, and she's the one that's going to shut you down.” “She can't do anything. I've got every right to drill here.” “Oh, now come on. You're underestimating Donna. She's a pretty resourceful lady. I can't stand her, but I'll give her that. She's got a lot of clout in this town, and in Washington too. She knows people on the ORC and the OLM. They're the ones giving you you're permit, right?” J.R. said this with mock confusion. “What's he talking about?” Barbara whispered to Afton. “Donna Dowling. She's the mayor of Dallas. Cliff helped her win the campaign. She's trying to get the drilling permits halted because she lives at Southfork.” Barbara's face grew red with anger. This was NOT going to happen. Not after she disrupted her whole life in Alaska and moved to godforsaken Texas. She didn't admit it to anyone, for Bryan's sake, but she was miserable. She missed her friends. She missed her job. She missed her life. Was it all going to be for nothing? “Does this Donna woman have a lot of power?” Barbara asked Afton. “Oh yeah. She knows everyone.” Afton was obviously trying to listen to J.R. and Cliff's tete-a-tete. “You can try to talk yourself out of it as much as you want, but I talked to Donna myself. She's making headway. Face it Barnes, you're going to lose. Again.” J.R. laughed condescendingly as he strolled back to his car. It took Cliff all of his might not to belt him. He couldn't though, because Barbara immediately bombarded him. “Is what he's saying true?” she demanded. “What?” “Is the mayor really going to shut this thing down?” “It's just talk. That's J.R.'s way.” “Not from what I hear, Cliff,” Bryan interjected. “Listen, I know how he operates.” The redness in Barbara's face was visible. “I sure hope so, because I don't want to find out that I moved my family all the way down to Dallas only to have the biggest job of my husband's life ruined because of some woman.” Barbara wasn't even thinking rationally. The move, her anger…it was all getting mixed together. She needed to vent. “Barbara, calm down,” Cliff said. “I'll talk to Donna. She owes me.” “Good. Pull rank if you have too, I don't care. But I sure as hell don't want to find out that I uprooted my life for nothing!” Barbara turned around and stormed off, damning Donna Dowling for causing such a problem. She didn't know what the woman looked like, but she hated her already.
She told him a lot. About why she started working at Ewing Oil. She didn't exactly want to be a secretary. Rather, she wanted to write, but working as Lucy's secretary was something to do. Apparently, Phyllis was not very supportive of her aspirations and told her to go to a nice, safe, well paying job with benefits. Janice was torn between following her head, which told her to go with stability, and her heart, which told her to follow her dream. “It's all really confusing, I guess.” “It's like your being torn between two opposing camps.” He was just a voice in the dark to Janice. But his voice was welcoming, and warm. “What do you think's going to happen?” Todd asked. “What do I think is or what do I want to happen?” “Both.” “I'm probably going to end up here for the rest of my life, like my mother. I don't want to happen, though. I want to write.” Janice laughed. “God, how tacky!” Todd liked her more every second. “You never know. I could be really Deep Moments here and say that every day is a new chapter.” “Really? How do you think this chapter will end?” Janice asked, a tad flirtatious. “How's this for an ending?” Todd asked, and his lips moved closer to hers. He could feel her in the dark, even sense her. Their lips met, and they kissed. Passionately. Todd knew it was a cheezy line, but he didn't even care.
Cally had agreed to let Justin spend Thanksgiving with his father at Southfork. Miss Ellie extended the invitation to Cally as well, but she would have rather ate a turkey whole than eat at the same table as J.R. She politely declined, though, not wanting to cause Miss Ellie any trouble. Cliff had been very kind and asked her to dinner with himself and Afton, and their daughter. Cally didn't like Pamela Rebecca very much, but she was now hearing that, because of a blood mix-up, she was the mother of John Ross's child. Cally reckoned that meant she ought to be cordial and lady like. Cally looked at the small pie that she just stuck in the oven. It would be a good hour before it was ready. She decided she'd start to make the stuffing in an hour, after she checked on the pie. Walking into her bedroom, Cally decided to take a nap. She set her alarm for exactly one hour later, and lay down. She fell asleep almost instantly. A few blocks away, Dominique left her hotel room, ready to do some work.
Jack produced a document from his briefcase. “Sign this, and you have 7.5% of Ewing Oil.” “Jack, I told you. I don't need this, and you don't have to do this.” “Please,” Jack pleaded, “I want you to do this.” “I have a feeling that this is going to cause more problems than it solves.” She wasn't really mad at him anymore for blowing up at her at Lucy's wedding. She was starting to get concerned. She really didn't want to lose him. Her feelings were growing deep for him. So much so that it scared Sue Ellen a bit. “Actually, it's going to solve all our problems.” Jack smiled. “How?” She was confused. “By you taking this from me, I know the slate is clean. I mean, I know that there's nothing I HAVE, except for myself.” Jack realized that he wasn't being very clear. “I guess what I'm trying to say is, without hurting you…..well, if you take this and stay with me, I know that you really want to be with me. Nothing else.” “I could have told you that,” Sue Ellen laughed. Was it really that simple? “So sign.” Jack pushed the document and a pen towards her. Sue Ellen took the pen and signed her name on the dotted line, and quickly acquired 7.5% of Ewing Oil. “Happy now?” She asked. “It should make you happy. You've got 17.5% of the company now.” Sue Ellen acknowledged to herself silently that she was progressing on her plan to get Ewing Oil away from J.R. “So, feel better.” “I know this is really crazy, Sue Ellen. I know I sound distrustful and everything, wanting proof that you want to be with me.” “How's this for proof,” Sue Ellen commanded and pushed Jack down onto her desk as she began to make love to him.
The pie was waiting on the counter opposite the oven. The stuffing was made, and the pots were stacked in the kitchen sink. What was going on? Cally's heart began to beat fast and she became short of breath. Running to the counter, she grabbed a knife from the knife stand, clutching it tightly. She made the rounds of the house, checking every closet and every crevice. No one was there. The windows and doors were all locked, just as she had left them. How could this have happened? Someone had to take the pie out of the oven, and someone had to make the stuffing. Had she? She was asleep though. She slept so well….even dreamt. Could she have been sleepwalking and made them? Millions of questions were running through Cally's head, but the one that resonated the most was the one that wondered if she was going crazy.
She tried to remember how her mother used to cook the turkey, but Afton never paid any attention to her mother's cooking pointers. Now she wished she had. Afton didn't hear Pam come into the kitchen and she was startled when she turned around and saw her. “Pam? What are you doing here?” “Hi Afton. Cliff gave me a call and said that you were cooking Thanksgiving Dinner. He invited Bobby and me, so I thought I'd stop by early to see if I could give you a hand.” Afton was surprised. Ever since she shot Cliff, Afton hadn't been on the best of terms with Pam. “That would be great. It's just that I was a little…surprised to see you.” “I know things haven't been that well between us, but I'm willing to let bygones be bygones. Cliff told me that you two were starting over. I'd like for us to do the same. We did use to be good friends.” “Thanks Pam. I'm glad you're so willing to forgive me. But, you really don't have to stay and help. You just got back from Paris yesterday…you must be pooped.” “No, I'm fine, really.” “Are you sure?” “Positive.” “Okay then…do you know anything about cooking a turkey?” Pam laughed and moved over to where Afton was standing by the turkey. “Absolutely nothing at all. I've never cooked on in my life.” “Looks like we're going to have a lot of fun then…” “Where is Cliff anyway?” “Would you believe I sent him to the grocery store for cranberry sauce?” “Cliff? Grocery shopping? Some things never cease to amaze me.” Outside the house, John Ross Ewing pulled his car into the drive and a black rental car pulled away from the curb and slowly drove up the street. John Ross got out of the car and strolled to the front door where he impatiently shifted from foot to foot as he waited for someone to answer. Earlier that morning, Pamela Rebecca had called him, saying she had something very important to discuss. Pamela Rebecca opened the door and smiled. “John Ross thanks for coming.” “I didn't exactly want to come for a leisurely visit…now what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?” Rebecca motioned for John Ross to come in and they both took seats on the couch. “I got a call from Dr. Benson yesterday.” “Who is he?” “He was Megan's doctor. John Ross, I'll just come out with this straightforward. There was a mistake with the blood tests…Megan is your daughter, not Christopher's.” John Ross was shaken. “Are you serious? She's my daughter after all? After all this time?” Pamela Rebecca nodded, not feeling a bit guilty for lying to him. “It's true.” “Oh my God, I can't believe this!” He encircled Rebecca with his arms and twirled her around in a circle. “Whoa there…would you like to see her…to hold your daughter?” John Ross nodded and Rebecca disappeared into the nursery and soon returned, holding Megan. She carefully handed her to John Ross, who cradled her in his arms. Pamela Rebecca almost couldn't believe how smoothly her plan was going.
Pam smiled and wiped her hands on a cloth. “I have new respect for what Theresa does now. Now that the turkey is cooking, what else is on the menu?” “The turkey's are cooking?” Cliff said from the doorway. “Strange, it looks like both of them are just standing around chatting.” Pam balled up the cloth she was holding and pitched it in Cliff's direction. “Cliff, it sure did take you long enough to buy that cranberry sauce. If I didn't know better, I'd think you purposely stayed out that long just so you wouldn't have to help us with that turkey!” Cliff smiled and hugged his sister. “Na, I wouldn't do that.” His tone then turned serious. “Did you find out anything on your trip?” “Yes…I need to talk to you about that.” “Sure. Afton, would you mind excusing us?” Afton looked annoyed, but she nodded and left the room. “What did you find out?” “It turns out Katherine did have something to do with Jenna's will. The house in Paris turned out to be a corporate office building.” “Are you kidding?” “No. But that's not the strangest part. The building houses a corporation by the name of Wentworth Limited.” “What? Wentworth?” “Yes. Naturally, Bobby and I had a few questions to ask, so we paid a visit to the CEO.” “Who was it?” “A man by the name of Rex Wentworth. He gave us the cold shoulder and asked us to come back later, so we left. The next day, we both noticed a strange man was following us. That went on throughout the day until finally Bobby confronted the man, who denied following us. We both thought Rex might have something to do with it so we went back to his office, where I found a framed picture of Katherine. Cliff, he knew Katherine…he's her brother.” “Oh my God. How?” “Herbert Wentworth fathered both of them. Apparently, Rex was the product of an affair between Herbert and a French woman. Things got even stranger when Rex talked about Katherine as being a kind and caring woman…nothing like we knew of her.” “For some reason, I find that hard to believe. Katherine, kind and caring? Must have been an act.” “I told him about my shooting her and her death—he didn't even know she was dead. When he found out, he went into this rage and demanded that we leave his office.” “Really? Looks like there are a whole lot of nuts falling from the Wentworth family tree. What happened then?” “We left. Bobby's having one of his associates investigate him in Paris. Hopefully, we'll get more answers soon.” “Do you think this Rex character could be dangerous? It sounds like he got pretty mad when he found out about Katherine.” “I don't think so…I think he just had a natural reaction to finding out about someone's death. But, I intend to give him a call to make sure he's alright.” “Just be careful Pam. We don't know who he is or what he's like. I'd rather you not do anything until Bobby gets a report on him.” “I can take care of myself, but maybe you're right.” Pam was silent for a moment. “Cliff, I have something else I need to talk with you about.” “Sure, what is it?” “Miss Ellie told me about your wanting to drill on the land across from Southfork. You know you can't do that…” “Why can't I?” “Because it would break Miss Ellie's heart.” Pam noticed the solid look on Cliff's face. She knew he wasn't budging at that. “You don't even need the money, but if it's more money you need, I'll give it to you. But I don't want you drilling.” “I'm sorry Pam, but I'm going ahead with my plans…no going back now.” “Cliff, could you really do that?” “Of course I would. Digger would have done the same thing.” “Digger would've done no such of a thing! He wouldn't have hurt Miss Ellie like that, no matter what he thought of Jock.” “Well, I'm not Digger and J.R. is no Jock…he's ten times worse. Now, I can do this with or without your blessing.” “My blessing is one thing you won't have. But, today is Thanksgiving…I'm just thankful I have you back…let's not spoil it today…we'll talk about it later.” “I'm all for that…and I understand your concern, but let's just focus on the holiday.” Afton, who had been eavesdropping at the door, re-entered the room. “Sorry guys, I was just checking on the turkey. And Pam, we need to start on the rest of the meal, don't you think?” Pam smiled, glad to get her mind off of what happened in Paris. “Sure. Cliff, any special requests from the cooks?” “Yeah…I have one…don't burn the food.” Cliff ducked out of the room before Pam could retaliate.
“Bobby, please, don't say anything to him today. I've already talked to him about the drilling.” “Give me one reason why I shouldn't go right over there and knock that smug look off his face.” “Bobby James Ewing, I can't believe you.” “Sorry…it just upsets me thinking about how much this is gonna hurt Momma. We've been in this situation before, where you're put in the middle, but I'll warn you…don't think I won't do everything in my power to stop him from drilling, because I will.” Pam nodded. “Hello Aunt Pam.” “Hi Pamela Rebecca.” Pam had never been found of Pamela Rebecca, especially since everything she had done to Christopher. Pamela Rebecca decided to feign concern for Christopher. “How is your son doing? I know what he's going through couldn't be easy…basically losing a child and all.” “I beg your pardon?” Pam asked. “You mean you don't know?” “Know what?” Pam said sharply. “Oh, I'm sorry…Christopher should be the one to tell you.” “No, you'll do nicely.” Pam cast a stern glance at Pamela Rebecca, which intimidated even her. “Well, it turns out there was a mix-up with Megan's blood work back in January. Christopher isn't her father, John Ross is.” Bobby and Pam were both shocked. “What? When did he find this out?” “I'm not sure…but John Ross already knows.” Pam looked perplexed. “Bobby, would you excuse us please?” Bobby reluctantly nodded, then left the two women alone. After he had gone, Pam looked her niece directly in the eyes. “Don't you think for one second I don't see right through your little scheme.” “Excuse me? Scheme?” “I know you'd stop at nothing to hurt my son…and get John Ross for yourself…even doctor the blood work and Heaven only knows what else.” Pamela Rebecca faked innocence. “I don't know what you're talking about, but the very idea of me…” “You can save your excuses. I'll be watching you…and I do intend to find out the truth. If I find out you've hurt my son, you will pay for it.” Pam stormed away, leaving a very surprised Pamela Rebecca alone. Soon, the doorbell rang and Rebecca answered it. Upon swinging open the door, she found John Ross standing on the porch. Her face fell when she saw Melissa beside him. “What the hell is she doing here?” John Ross and Melissa stepped inside and she shut the door. “You invited me, so I didn't think you'd mind Melissa coming with me.” “You know how I feel about her…” Pamela Rebecca decided she wouldn't make any ground with John Ross if she didn't lighten up and try to welcome Melissa. “You're right. I'm sorry Melissa,” she said in a mock nice voice. “Quite a crowd you've got here…didn't know the Barnes family was so big,” John Ross commented. “They're not all my family. The couple standing over there talking to Dad is Bryan and Barbara Safi…they're old family friends and now business partners.” Melissa looked at Pamela Rebecca distastefully. “Is Chris here yet?” “No, not yet, fortunately.” Melissa decided to bring up the subject of Megan…maybe she could catch her in a lie. “It's a shame…his finding out he's not Megan's father…I know how much that must hurt.” “Yeah, well I'm sorry for him,” Rebecca lied. Melissa was annoyed when John Ross broke in on the conversation. “Where is Megan's room anyway? I'd like to go see her.” “I'll show you,” Rebecca volunteered. “Pamela Rebecca…oh, excuse me, it's just Rebecca now…would you mind just telling John Ross where it is? I'd like to have a word with you.” Pamela Rebecca faked a smile. “Go upstairs and it's the first room on your left.” John Ross nodded and left the women alone. “Okay, you can cut the crap, Just-Rebecca.” “Funny,” Rebecca retorted sarcastically. “What do you want?” “I talked to Christopher yesterday…he's really hurting from all of this. I just wonder how the lab workers managed to screw up so bad.” The doorbell rang again and Rebecca excused herself to go answer it. This time, it was Christopher. He looked past Pamela Rebecca and saw Melissa standing inside. Without saying anything to Rebecca, he strolled over to Melissa. “Hey Melissa…any luck yet?” “I talked to her…but she's been solid so far…no slip-ups.” “That's what I was afraid of…what if she isn't behind this? What if it was just a mistake.” “I don't believe that…this thing has Pamela Rebecca's name written all over it. We'll catch her, don't worry.” “Okay…but in the meantime, I'm gonna go find Megan…I'd like to spend some time with her alone.” Before Melissa could tell him John Ross was already up there, Christopher was walking up the stairs. Cally was the next guest to join them. She walked in with her arms full of plates of food…she still couldn't remember making the stuffing and pies…her most rational reasoning was that she had done it in her sleep, but deep inside, she knew that was ridiculous. She smiled at everyone she passed and made her way directly into the kitchen. “Hey Pam and Afton. My, it sure smells good in here.” “Hi Cally,” Pam smiled. She took several plates and bowls from Cally's hand and placed them on the kitchen counter. “Cally, did you make this stuffing? It looks delicious.” Cally smiled uneasily. She didn't need to tell everyone about the situation, so, she decided to lie. “Yes, it was an old family recipe. I sure hope you like it.” Afton walked by with a spoon and dipped out a bite, which she sampled. “Cally, that is delicious. You'll have to give me the recipe…I might just try it at Christmas.” Cally just smiled and then walked around the kitchen, looking at what all they had cooked. “This turkey looks mighty good.” “Cally, where's Justin?” Pam asked. Cally's expression changed. “He's at Southfork with J.R.” Pam could see by Cally's look that she didn't want to talk about that anymore. Upstairs, John Ross was holding Megan on his shoulder when Christopher discovered he was there. “John Ross?” “You look surprised to see me here. She's my daughter, remember?” “Can I hold her?” John Ross hesitated for a second, then reluctantly handed her to Christopher. “Look Chris, I'm really sorry for you that things turned out this way. I know exactly how you feel…I thought she was my daughter for almost two months before, remember?” “Yeah…I guess I know how you felt now. Just promise me you'll always take good care of her, okay?” John Ross nodded. “You know I will. Hey, you remember that show that came on a few years back, My Two Dads?” Christopher laughed. “Yeah, I hated that show.” “Well, I don't see why you can't be Megan's dad too…I know I'm her biological father, but I still want you to be in her life. She deserves to be able to grow up and be close to you…it's only fair.” Christopher began to feel just a bit better. Even if they weren't able to catch Pamela Rebecca, at least he knew he wouldn't totally be shut out of Megan's life. Megan grabbed Christopher's ear. “Da-Da.” Immediately, things went awkward between Chris and John Ross. “No Megan…I'm not Da-Da.” It hurt Christopher tremendously to say that. He handed her back to John Ross. “That's your Da-Da.” It also hurt Christopher when he saw the look of confusion on Megan's face and he realized that she was the most important thing here…he didn't want her hurt or confused. “I think I'll head back downstairs now.” He waved to Megan and left her alone with John Ross—her father. Christopher wasn't expecting to run into his mother on the way down. She stopped him on the landing. “Christopher, why didn't you tell me about Megan?” “You were so busy in Paris…I didn't want to bother you with my problems.” “Honey, you know I would have dropped whatever I was doing in Paris…or anywhere else for that matter, to help you out. You needed my support…I wish you had called.” “I'm fine, really…it's hard, but I'll live.” Pam embraced her son and could feel his hurt. Cliff peered around the corner. “Okay you two, we're getting ready to eat, the last guest is here.” Pam nodded and she and Christopher walked back downstairs, with John Ross following. The first person Christopher spotted was Eric Stone. They locked gazes across the crowd and Christopher was instantly grateful Karen didn't come. He wondered what on earth Eric was even doing up and walking around…let alone at a Barnes Thanksgiving function. Cliff led everyone to the table and before any food was served, he stood up and began to speak. “Everybody, give me your attention for a second, then I promise you can dig into the turkey. It just so happens, that this Thanksgiving, I have a lot to be thankful for. So, I'm going to start off by telling you what it is…then I want everybody else to continue.” Numerous groans issued from the guests, with the biggest one coming from Afton. Cliff ignored her and began. “First of all, let me say I'm thankful that Afton and I have managed to work out all of our problems and we're able to start over with a clean slate. I'm also thankful for this man sitting here next to me…” Cliff looked at Eric. “I want everybody to meet my son, Eric Stone.” “Cliff, Eric is your son?” Pam gasped. “Eric just found out recently and he came back to tell me.” Christopher couldn't believe this…Eric was his cousin. Pamela Rebecca stood up. “I'm thankful for Eric too…I've always wanted a brother.” She turned to Afton. “Mom, you can be next.” Cliff shot his daughter an irritated glance, feeling that she had stole some of his thunder with his shocking revelation. “Well, like Cliff said, I'm thankful that we can start over. I'm also thankful for my wonderful granddaughter, Megan.” The rest of the gathered said what they were thankful for and they all began the Thanksgiving feast.
Theresa served J.R. a slice of turkey and he reached for the cranberry sauce. “Momma, this looks delicious.” “Thank you J.R.” Ellie looked around the table at her family and was thankful for each person that was there. She only wished Gary, Val, and the rest had made it back in time for Thanksgiving. J.R. spoke up again. “Pam, any luck getting that brother of yours to call of this ridiculous drilling scheme?” Before Pam could answer, Ellie broke in. “J.R., there'll be no talk of that at this table.” J.R. noticed that Sue Ellen and Jack seemed to be very happy…he could barely eat his turkey and look at them at the same time. Christopher had told the whole family about Megan, prior to the dinner and that had had some affect on the mood of the festivities. Everyone was too quiet…no one was speaking. J.R. was relieved when the phone rang and Theresa informed him that someone wanted to speak with him. He wiped his mouth, excused himself from the table, and took the phone call. “Oh my God, I'll be there right away.”
“Mandy, God, it's good to see those eyes of yours again.” “I don't have long J.R.” “Don't say that. I'm confident that the doctors here will nurse you back to full health.” “No..” Mandy's voice was weak. “I talked with him…there's nothing else they can do. If I don't d…die, I'll be here for the…rest of my life.” “Sshh, don't talk. Save your strength.” J.R. could see that it was physically painful for Mandy to speak. “J.R., all those years, you and I could have been married…but I don't blame you for that…for that not happening.” “Mandy, I don't want you to talk…especially like you're going too…” “I…am going to…die.” Behind them, Jillian buried her face in Kate's shirt. Her muffled sniffles and sobs were barely audible. “No…I love you Mandy.” “I know…and I…love you…to.” The smell of death was ever present in the room. J.R. looked up at the machines that Mandy was hooked too…the harsh reality of the situation hit him. Those machines were the only things keeping Mandy alive. Mandy gasped for breath. “I…told the d…d…doctors that if…if I start to die…I told them…not to try and s…save me.” J.R. forced a nod. He noticed that the lines on the heart monitor were spreading farther and farther apart and the beeps were few and far between. Jillian kneeled down beside him and took her mother's hand. J.R. took the other one and squeezed it gently. Mandy's voice was raspy and quieter now. The pain was beginning to go away. “I…I've g…got to g…g…go now. But there's one…one thing I have to tell y…you both. J…Jill…Jillian Baby…” tears trickled from Jillian's eyes. Mandy too was crying now as she forced out the next line. “J.R. is your f…father.” “Oh my God,” J.R. gasped. “Mandy…why…after all these years.” “J.R…l…love her f…for me…take care of h…her…always...”
The shrill beep of the flat lining monitor jolted everyone in the room. Kate blotted away her tears with a tissue. Jillian sobbed and turned to J.R., who eventually loosely embraced her—his daughter. As the two embraced, a nurse came in and shut off the monitor. The room was filled with the silence of death and death's shadow lurked over all of them.
The woman, whose name was Phoebe, stood outside in the darkness, the wind and rain blowing against her face. She wasn't young anymore, but her gift was as strong as ever…if not stronger. On her face was a worried look. Her eyes had seen so much turmoil…so much danger…and so many secrets. A deafening clap of thunder sounded, but she seemed impervious to it, or the rain. She glanced up at the sky. Interested? Click here to read the rest of Mystique Point, episode one. It will open in a new window so you can still read the other RTS info below.
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