EPISODE 20
"Joy to the World:Part Two"
Somewhere in Mexico
Ray sat quietly, staring out the window of the private clinic he'd checked into, lost in his thoughts.
“Did I do the right thing,” he thought? “Maybe I should've stayed in Dallas. No,” his thoughts continued, as he clinched his fist. “The only thing Donna could see was a cripple. I was never good enough for her before. I'm sure as hell not good enough now.” Suddenly, the nurse entering the room, interrupted his thoughts.
“Hola, Senor Ewing. “Feliz Navidad.”
Ray looked at her, and smiled. “Merry Christmas to you too.”
Pamela's Home
Bobby drove up to the house and parked his car, wondering for a moment if he should have called first, but he knew that what he had to say had to be said in person. He took a deep breath, got out of the car, walked over to the house and knocked on the door. As he waited, he watched the lights of the Christmas tree blinking rhythmically through the front bay window, hypnotizing him into a slight trance. The sound of keys being turned shook him back to reality.
“Bobby” Pam said, “This is a surprise.”
“Not too bad of one I hope,” he replied, “but I needed to see you.”
Pamela looked inquizically at him for a moment and then opened the door wider.
“Well are you coming in or have you just come to sing carols on the doorstep?”
Bobby furrowed his brow for a moment and then burst into song. “We wish you a merry Christmas. We wish you a merry Christmas. We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.”
Pamela laughed and led Bobby into her home. Once they were seated and both had a drink Bobby began to speak.
“So how are you,” Bobby asked awkwardly.
“I'm fine.” Pam replied, keenly aware of the formality of her answer.
“About Cliff, I am sorry.”
Bobby's words hung in the air for a moment as silence descended in the room.
“How are you?” Pamela finally asked.
“Well okay I guess, hopefully, I'll be better after I've done what I set out to do tonight.”
“Christopher?” Pam said, and Bobby nodded.
“I miss him, Pam and I was kind of hoping he might be here tonight so I could tell him.”
“Well, I'm afraid you're out of luck. He and,” Pam paused for a moment and then continued “Ian have gone out shopping for gifts.”
“Lucy told me his friend had come over from England. Where is he sleeping,” Bobby asked and then immediately regretted his question?
“Bobby,” Pamela replied softly, “It's that kind of question that'll keep you and Chris apart. I know this isn't easy. I've struggled or should I say am struggling with this as well, but we need to respect Chris's decisions.”
“I know, I know. It's just that he's my boy and it is hard. This is the hardest thing I have ever dealt with,” Bobby replied, his eyes revealing the deep ache in his heart.
“It may seem like that now, but just think of it this way. Chris is healthy, happy and safely back at home. It wasn't so long ago that he was being accused of murder and was lost to us overseas.”
“Well I said all along he should've stayed here and faced up to his responsibility in that. And maybe if he hadn't gotten mixed up with that European crowd, he wouldn't…” Bobby let his words trail off as again he realized that he was blowing it.
“Bobby, moving to Europe doesn't make you gay,” Pamela said in a firmer tone! “I knew Chris was innocent and it was just a matter of time until the police realized that. And I am not going to try and justify my actions again to you. ”
“And I don't want you to,” Bobby said trying to shake the doubt that welled up in him. Continuing, he said, “I believe it's time we agree to disagree on that, like you say Chris is home now.”
“Okay,” Pam said. “The important thing is that you and Chris work this out. Maybe you can use this as a trial run and then when you see Chris you'll at least know what NOT to say. If you'd like, maybe we could all go out for supper soon. Perhaps if we meet less formally as a family, it'll make things easier.”
“That's sounds nice, “ Bobby smiled warmly. “Chris isn't the only one I miss, you know.”
“I miss you too,” Pam replied, returning his warm smile. A comfortable silence overcame them as for the longest time they simply stared in one another's eyes, and for a moment Bobby felt that familiar, old connection.
“In fact we are having a surprise party for mama tonight, the whole family is coming and I'd really like it if you and Chris would come. After all, we are still family and I know Momma would love to see you all.”
“Does the invitation extend to Ian as well?”
“Yes and Chris and, ahem, you, can invite whom ever who want.”
“Okay well I'll bring Chris and Ian then, although I can't say I relish the thought too much.”
“JR?”
“JR, but don't worry I'm not going to let him keep you and Chris apart.”
Suddenly the phone rang and broke the moment. Pam stood up and went over and picked up the phone. After several moments of listening to the other person Pamela spoke.
“Okay Becky, stay calm and I'll be right there.” Pamela hung up the receiver, then rushed across the room, “Bobby, I have to go to the hospital. It's Cliff.”
“Is there anything I can do? Do you want me to drive you,” Bobby asked in a panic?
“No, I'll be fine,” she said rushing toward the door, “just let your self out okay.” Pamela opened the door and disappeared out it, leaving Bobby alone with his thoughts once again, a look of sadness and utter disappointment on his face.
Krebbs ranch
Donna walked into the living room where Margaret and Lucas sat on the sofa, watching TV. “Hey you two. Do you have any plans this evening,” she asked?
Margaret and Lucas exchanged glances. “Why,” Lucas asked?
“We've been invited to Southfork for a welcome home party for Miss Ellie.”
“Ugh,” Lucas groaned. “I was just planning on staying here and vegging out in front of the TV?”
“Me too,” Margaret chimed in.
“Well since you don't have any real plans then I think you could both make an effort to welcome your grandma back home.” Donna replied.
The doorbell interrupted her and she made her way to the front door. “Hi, Maddy,” she smiled, as she opened the door to reveal Madeline.
“Hi Donna. I hope you don't mind my stopping by on Christmas Eve, but I had a few things I wanted your opinion about.”
“Of course I don't mind,” she said, closing the door behind Madeline. “Why don't we go into the kitchen and have a cup of coffee and we can chat in there.”
“Hey mom,” Margaret called.
Donna shook her head at Madeline. “Hang on a second. Let me see what the crisis is now.” Madeline nodded agreeably. “What is it, Margaret?”
“I was wondering if you'd mind if I brought a friend to the party tonight,” Margaret asked, holding her hand over the mouthpiece of the phone.
Donna thought for a moment. She started to say no, but if it meant that Margaret would come voluntarily then she thought why not. “I don't see why not,” she replied. “The more the merrier.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Margaret called back. Replacing the phone to her ear, Margaret said, “It's all cool Saffy. I'll see you at six at South Fork,” she said, concluding her conversation and hanging up the phone.
Donna returned her attention to Madeline who had made her own way into the kitchen. As Donna entered the kitchen, a thought occurred to her. “Hey Maddy, what are you doin for Christmas?”
“Oh, I don't know,” she said wistfully. “Probably, pop some popcorn, make some hot chocolate, curl up on the sofa and watch ‘Miracle on 34 th Street' and ‘It's a Wonderful Life'.”
Donna laughed, “Sounds wonderful, but I have a better idea. Why don't you join us for Christmas dinner at South Fork?”
Madeline winced, “I don't know Donna. I don't think I should intrude after all Bobby hasn't invited me; maybe it's just a family affair. I wouldn't feel right about it.”
“Nonsense,” Donna insisted. “It's a last minute thing so that's why Bobby hasn't invited you, he probably hasn't had the time. It will be a nice surprise for him and you can be my moral support against JR. You are going with us and I won't take no for an answer.”
Madeline smiled, “Do you always get your way?”
“Most of the time,” Donna grinned wickedly.
Back in the living room
Lucas and Margaret were still sat watching TV.
“So Lucas, Saffy asked if you were coming tonight.” Margaret said.
Lucas nodded nonchalantly, He had noticed Margaret's friend and thought she was hot but he wasn't going to let that information become common knowledge. He and Margaret hadn't exactly bonded since living under the same roof; she was so damned unpredictable, one moment like now amiable and friendly and the next minute a psycho bitch from hell.
“So are you going to come then or what?” Margaret probed.
“I suppose it beats sitting here alone all night.” Lucas replied
Dallas Memorial
Pamela looked at the sight in front of her in complete shock. She could barely comprehend the words that the doctor was saying.
“I don't understand, I thought you had said that you were just waiting for us to turn off the life support.”
“That's right Mrs. Ewing, but the mind is still a wonderful thing, always able to surprise us. It could have been the shocks we gave your brother to get his heart beating again but to be honest we are dumbfounded. Somewhere inside your brother he has found the strength to come back.”
“And how is he? Will he make a full recovery?”
“It's too early to say but for now he is awake and that‘s more than we were hoping for.”
Pam walked over to Becky who sat holding Cliff's hand. Pamela looked into Cliff's face, his eyes were open but there was no immediate recognition on his face.
“Hi honey,” she said and touched the side of his face. “Welcome back.” Pamela caught Becky's eye and smiled as tears ran down both their faces.
Charlie's club
Dean sat sipping a drink. The club was looking great and would soon be ready for opening. As another Christmas tune came on the radio, Dean could feel his mood beginning to plummet. As a kid he had always loved this time of year and had always been let down every Christmas. Like a child, somehow he had always being able to cling to the spirit of the year, but somehow, he seemed to have lost that knack over the years. His mind wandered to his mother and sister and the family that had once meant everything to him.
They'd been happy once, when it was just the three of them. They may have been poor but at least they had had each other. Then that bastard Frank had come along and his bastard son Phillip. His step dad and brother had ruined any semblance of happiness that Dean had ever known. Being bullied for being poor at school and having to do part time jobs to try and earn some money to help bring food to the table had been bearable for him, but once is mother remarried then it all changed. He couldn't stand the way that he was pushed from his mother's affections. How could she love that bastard and take in his son. He had hated Phillip on sight, and Phillip had surely made the most of having a younger brother to control.
“Well, I got the last laugh,” he thought, feeling no guilt about Phillip's death but as quickly as that thought went through his mind, his sister's face appeared before him and he felt a pain like a knife in his chest. Dean closed his eyes and immediately images of the accident appeared, the beer bottle in his hand as he drove, the bike spinning out of control, the oncoming truck, his sisters crumbled body, the look on his mother's face, and finally, the image of his sister's lifeless body being kept alive by machines. Suddenly the glass he held in his hand shattered under the pressure of his grip. Clasping his bleeding hand, Dean moved over to the sink and began to rinse it, as Charlie walked in.
“Hey what have you done?”
“Nothing just cut my hand on a glass.”
“Let me see” Charlie said and took hold of his hand and began to clean up the cut. “Hold it up and I'll get a band aid.”
Dean watched Charlie and not for the first time, thought about how she reminded him of his sister, something about the way she held herself and the almost boyish quality about her, hard but still effeminate.
“Okay mister let's have a look at you.” Charlie took hold of Dean's hand and applied the band-aid. “There you go, all better.” Charlie laughed.
Dean touched Charlie's arm softly and for a moment he looked into Charlie's eyes trying to see if he could get a connection. Not for the first time he saw nothing back form Charlie. Was he being too subtle or was it just that he was loosing his charm. One thing he had always been able to rely on was his ability to seduce. His cell phone rang and Dean had to turn around to answer it.
“Hello” Dean said annoyance his voice.
“Hi honey.”
“Oh hello, what's up.”
“Nothing, can't I just call my husband to see how he is?”
“Well I am at work so you'll have to make it quick.”
Lucy tried not to show the hurt in her voice and continued.
“Well, we're having a surprise party tonight for Grandma's homecoming. Can you make sure you are home at a decent hour and also ask Charlie if she will be able to come along.”
“Yep, will do, now I have to go. I‘ll see you tonight, okay.” Dean hung up the phone and turned back to Charlie but she was nowhere to be seen.
“Damn it,” Dean said and banged his fist on the counter!
