BREAKING POINT

Penny listened to Jeremy with a deepening perplexity. Why was he being so condescending, so superior? Was he trying to bring Joey down in front of her? Was he just so jealous?

The thoughts raced through her mind as she listened, with scant attention to their voices.

“What are you planning to do when you leave your present job? Penny tells me you say you want to do something else.”

That was Joey’s voice, carefully polite.

“Oh i haven’t made up my mind yet” Jeremy replied. “I have had several fairly good offers to join various friends in business, but I want something really worth while. I don’t fancy living on a thousand a month”

“A thousand a month!” Joey raised his brows. “I should think that pretty good for a start. I wouldn’t sniff at it. It’s just something you start with”

“It’s not much good to anyone with ambition” Jeremy said carelessly.

‘Jeremy is being rude’ Penny thought, unable to credit her ears. Or was he just showing off?

“I’m ambitious… But in a different way” Joey was saying quietly. “Of course I would like to earn a reasonable income, but money isn’t my real aim. I’m interested in medicine… And helping sick people who need help”

“Very noble” said Jeremy with a short laugh. “I’m afraid my motives are far more selfish. But then I have got Penny to consider. We certainly don’t want to live on love alone”

“I wouldn’t mind to start with” Penny said impulsively.

Jeremy patted her arm.

“i would mind for you though” he told her with a smile. I should hate to have my wife doing all the housework and cooking. I hate domesticity ”

Audrey’s eyebrows were raised very slightly, but she did not speak. Penny said slowly.

” Don’t you enjoy… Home life, Jeremy? ”

“One can enjoy it better without the daily drudge” he countered quickly. “I’m sure Joey will agree with me, as man to man”

Joey took up the challenge.

“Personally, I rather enjoy the domestic side of home. It’s one of the things I always look forward to whenever I come back here”

Audrey added quickly. “When he’s home he helps me with everything. He even does the shopping sometimes and stands in queues without a grouse”

“Then I take my hat off to you, old chap” Jeremy said. “If that’s the way you like it, you are more than welcome. Personally, I have no intention of leading that kind of life”

“But, Jeremy, you often give me a hand in the flat” Penny cried, unable to bear the rising animosity that seemed to be creeping into the atmosphere. Jeremy was showing off to the worst advantage just when she wanted more than anything in the world for Joey and Audrey to admire him.

“Of course, I give you a hand now and again, darling” Jeremy replied. “But no one can enjoy it. One does stuff like that because they are a necessity. I’m merely trying to point that out”

Penny couldn’t stand his attitude anymore. She got up. “Excuse me” she said, and went outside.

There was awkward silence in the living room after she left. A minute later, Jeremy announced that he was leaving and after saying goodbye to Audrey and Joey, he took his leave. He met Penny sitting outside.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“Hey,” he said, “What was that all about”

Penny glared at him, anger written all over her face. “Are you seriously asking me that question?” she asked, genuinely surprised.

Jeremy frowned. “Yes” he replied. “I don’t know if you noticed, but you were a bit rude”

“Rude? Rude?” Penny repeated. “I was rude?”

“Yes” came Jeremy’s reply.

“If there was anyone who was rude in there, it was you Jeremy” she yelled. “What the hell came over you? Why did you do that? Making all those mean comments?”

“Oh” Jeremy said, looking bored. “Is this about doctor and his ‘ambitions’? Look, we were just talking. I’m sure he doesn’t mind”

Penny felt even more anger rushing through her as she watched him emphasize on the word ‘ambitions’ with air quotes.

“Yes” she replied. “Why did you have to be so rude to him.”

“Why do you care so much?” Jeremy shot back.

“Because he’s my friend. He’s Audrey’s brother. They gave me a place to stay so I could be near you. They have been nothing but nice and supportive since I got here. All I wanted was for you to meet my friends… I just wanted them to like you, but it seems you just purposely went out of your way to make that impossible”

“Oh, who cares if they like me” Jeremy said angrily.

“I do” Penny replied, “I care. Because they are my friends and I love them. Is it so bad if I want you guys to get along. Joey was just trying to have a conversation with you and all you did was make rude comments”

“It all comes down to the doctor once again” Jeremy said carelessly, “Well, if he’s so much better than me, maybe you should be engaged to him instead of me”

Penny was dumbfounded. She was angry, but she didn’t want to fight with Jeremy. This wasn’t how she had imagined things would go down that evening, and she had hoped they would both be in a good mood so she could tell him about the baby, so she took a deep breath to calm herself.

“It’s not like that, Jeremy” she said, speaking more calmly now. “You know that I want to marry you and I don’t want to replace you with anyone. I guess I just wanted things to turn out differently. But it’s okay, we can fix that later”

But Jeremy wasn’t in the mood. “I have to go now” he said stiffly. “I have some work stuff to handle right now. I will talk to you later.”

He planted a light kiss on her forehead and then he was gone.

——————–

While Penny talked with Jeremy outside, Joey joined Audrey in the kitchen.

“So, we’ve met Jeremy” Audrey said.

“Yep” Joey replied absent minded.

“What did you think of him?” Audrey said.

Joey frowned. “He’s alright I guess” he said, “Can’t say that I like him much though”

“Well I didn’t like him at all” Audrey said bluntly. “I think he’s proud, arrogant and condescending. Penny can do better. I have no idea what she sees in the guy”

Joey concentrated on arranging the plates, trying so hard not to fling one of them against the wall in anger.

“Well, Penny loves him” he said to Audrey. “They live together, they are engaged, she wants to marry him. If Jeremy makes her happy then good for her. Doesn’t matter if we like him or not”