Page 149 of Rhymes with Metaphor
“That was ages ago,” said Martin.He was attempting to mask it, but Reg could tell he was chuffed.
“Are you on your way to somewhere?”
“Fromsomewhere,” said Martin.“Faculty do.I’m an adjunct professor now.”
“Congratulations again.”
“Thanks,” said Martin.He checked his watch.“How are you these days?”
“Tolerable, thanks.”
There was no air of camaraderie between them.Everything felt stiff and formal.
“I see you came to your senses and dispatched the boy wonder,” said Martin.
That comment shouldn’t have hurt as much as it did.Reg had to sip his coffee to collect himself.“It was his decision, as it happens.”
“The less said about that, the better,” said Martin, and it was clear from the tone of his voice it was said less out of compassion than distaste.
“You brought him up,” said Reg.
“He gets on my tits, that’s all.He’salwaysat Juliet’s place.He has his own place, but you wouldn’t know it.We have him cold for supper every night.Juliet invites him.I don’t know why he comes.He refuses to eat.He just sits there, the morose little sod.Sometimes it feels like I’m having an affair with Juliet.I know New Bug never liked me, but now, he positively hates me.It’s like pulling teeth to get Juliet to come out when he’s having one of his depressive episodes.”
“Is he seeing someone?”said Reg, trying to sound casual.
“If he were, he wouldn’t be staying over every night, even though he can drive himself home now he’s got a car.I suppose it was you who bought it for him?”
“It was a gift.”
“And you toldmeto watch out for gold-diggers.”
“He didn’t ask me for it.”Joel had never asked Reg for anything.Except, of course, for the one thing Reg couldn’t give him.
“He’s got this asinine notion he’s going to become an actor.If he wants to spend his life broke and unemployed, that’s his funeral.Youmay have supported him, but I certainly won’t.”
“Who’s asking you to do that?He wouldn’t.”
“I might be expected to support him, given my future relationship to him.”
“Relationship?!”Reg slammed his cup down, slopping coffee into the saucer.
“He’s about to become my brother-in-law,” said Martin.
“So you’re engaged.Thanks for telling me.”
“Not yet,” said Martin.“That’s why I texted you.”
“You want my approval?”
“Your opinion,” said Martin.
“Is Juliet pregnant?”
Martin looked scandalized.“Of course not!She won’t even move in with me unless we’re engaged.And once she moves in with me, I can tell her little brother to sod off, because it’ll be my house.”
“So you’re not so much in love with her as you’re in a hurry to kick her little brother out.”
“Can we stick to the point?”said Martin.
