Telephone Trio, Part Two (Janelle/Jeremiah)
Originally posted on June 15, 2008
Kaida: Hey Jeremiah – phone’s for you. Don’t tie it up too long, okay?
Jeremiah: You sure it’s for me? I didn’t give anyone this number.
Kaida: I’m sure, unless there’s another Jeremiah Bennett around. *hands him the phone and leaves*
Jeremiah: This is Jeremiah.
Janelle: *saccharin-sweet* How’s my Jare-Bear?
Jeremiah: Mom! Uh…. where are you?
Janelle: In New York. Where I thought you would be. Why are you hiding out in the sticks, Jeremiah Dear?
Jeremiah: Not hiding out. I decided to stay on here a while longer – with my half-brother, Asher. I emailed you all about it. Didn’t you get my emails?
Janelle: Oh, I hardly ever check that silly old computer. André doesn’t like it when my attention wanders too far away from him. *brittle laugh*
Jeremiah: *distancing himself* No kidding.
Janelle: Now, now, Darling, I know you believe you don’t like André, but that’s so unfair when you haven’t even met him. You’ll have to get used to the idea of us being together – *conspiratorial whisper* I think he might be The One.
Jeremiah: *thinks* You mean The Latest One…. *aloud* You gonna get married this time?
Janelle: He hasn’t asked quite yet, but I expect him to, when I return. Poor man – he looked so totally bereft when I took off for my little jaunt back here. He would have come along with me, but there’s some problem with his passport or visa or……. well, never mind. I’m sure he will miss me dreadfully until I can fly back to his waiting arms.
Jeremiah: Maybe he’ll keep busy while you’re gone and won’t miss you as much as you think.
Janelle: *laughs again* Busy? Oh yes, he’s a very busy man! Not with work, fortunately; he doesn’t need to work. And he has so many interesting ways of keeping me busy; we’re always on the move from one of his beautiful homes to the next. André’s an absolute whirlwind of activity, and he makes me feel so young.
Jeremiah: He makes you feel young? Why – because he’s like, a teenager?
Janelle: Now, now, that’s no way to speak to your mother, Jeremiah. I believe André is oh, thirty – or so. Or he will be…. soon….. I think.
Jeremiah: You don’t even know how old he is? Wow – thirty. Practically ready for the old folks home. Even a few years older than Gid.
Janelle: Gid?
Jeremiah: You know, Gideon – one of your sons?
Janelle: You’d do well to remember who you are addressing, young man. In fact, I think you’d better wrap up your little vacation with the legitimate half of your family and toddle on home. Your stay with them has had a disastrous impact on your manners.
Jeremiah: You can’t order me home just because it’s what you want. See, while you and André were busy cruising around Europe making each other feel young, I went ahead and got older. I’m eighteen now, so basically I can do what I want. And I want to stay here.
Janelle: Then your allowance ceases this instant. Don’t think I’m going to finance your infantile rebellion or fund your tuition at some Hayseed University in the boondocks. You do remember who manages your college fund, I assume?
Jeremiah: Whatever. Probably nothing left in it anyway. Hey, thanks for calling. Knowing you’re back home sure made my day. *disconnects*
Kaida: *returns, looks worriedly at Jeremiah* Jeremiah? You okay?
Jeremiah: Yeah, great, Kaida.
Kaida: You look like you’re…
Jeremiah: I said I’m okay. Leave me alone, will you?