Page 33 of Rhymes with Metaphor
“Don’t be flippant, Reg,” said Martin.“Has he said anything to you?”
“Why should he say anything to me?”
“You two seem to have come to an understanding,” said Martin.
“Can people of different generations truly understand one another?”
“Come on, Reg.He’s eighteen, not six.”
Reg sipped his coffee and shuddered.Execrable.
“Are we still on for England this summer?”said Martin.
Every summer, Reg spent six weeks at his father’s place in England.Usually, Martin joined him, and they’d revisit their boyhood haunts, reconnect with old schoolmates, drink far too much, and eat themselves stupid.
“Why break with tradition?”Reg looked at Martin shrewdly.“Why do you ask?”
Martin and Juliet exchanged a glance.“Would you mind terribly if Juliet comes?”
“I’d have to see what the paterfamilias has to say.”
“Come on, Reg.There’s plenty of room, and we’ve brought friends to stay before.Your dad’s in Switzerland for the summer, so he won’t notice.And it’s not like Juliet is likely to trash the place.Unlike some of your other guests.”
“Youthful indiscretions,” said Reg.
“There is one other...thing,” said Martin.
There it was.“Out with it.”
“I thought we could bring Joel with us.I’ll pay for his tickets, and Juliet can cover his other expenses while he’s there.It won’t cost you anything, and he won’t get in your way.”
“It’s too late for him to start the medical records job he had lined up,” said Juliet.“They’ve hired someone else.I can’t blame them.I told Joel he couldn’t keep delaying the start date.And if he’s not working, he can’t pay his share of the rent for the summer.I can cover it for him, but there’s someone in my program who’s interested in subletting his room—willing to pay full price, and he can move in right away.But that means moving Joel out, and the only place he can go is my mother’s.”
“What’s wrong with that?”said Reg.
“She’s up north working this summer.Joel hasn’t got any friends back home, so he’d be alone, and that won’t be good for his mental health.”
“You see?”said Martin.“It’s best for everyone if he comes.That’s sorted, then.”Martin looked obnoxiously pleased with himself.
“Apart from one small detail,” said Reg.
“What’s that?”
“Have you bothered asking Joel if hewantsto come?”
They both stared at him.
“Right.”Reg put down his coffee and stepped out onto the lounge’s balcony, which was currently empty as it was chucking down rain.
Reg called Joel.
Joel answered after the third ring, voice rough, as though Reg had woken him.“Yes?”
Reg said, “Your sister’s trying to organize the two of you coming to stay at my dad’s place in England.Has she bothered to tell you?”
“Uh...yes,” said Joel.Reg pictured him rubbing his face; he could hear the rasp of stubble.“I told her it was rude since you haven’t invited us.”
“Suppose I were to extend an invitation.Would you want to come?”
