Storms in Africa

Come Home, Jeremy!

Jeremy sat in his mother's sitting room with Charles Wallace and Andy.

"Jeremy, you never run away from your troubles. That's why we came here" said Andy.

"Yeah. You didn't run away the last time you were pregnant" said Charles Wallace.

"That was only because I was trapped" said Jeremy.

"Fair enough" said Andy.

"But still. You never struck me as someone who runs from something unusual" said Charles Wallace.

"What's this, Jeremy?" said Elizabeth.

Jeremy sighed. "I came home because I'm pregnant and frightened."

"You're... pregnant?" said Elizabeth.

"Again. Don't think too much about it" said Andy. 

"But didn't he tell you when he got here?" said Charles Wallace.

"No. He only told me he was frightened" said Elizabeth.

"And he has every right to be, but he never runs away" said Andy. 

"I suppose I got a bit too frightened" said Jeremy.

"Be that as it may" said Elizabeth. "I would have expected a more rational reaction on your part, son."

"I'm sorry, Mama" said Jeremy hanging his head.

"I haven't been so disappointed since that music career of yours began" said Elizabeth. 

"You were disappointed with your son's profession?" said Andy.

"Well, ain't it obvious? Most aristocrats don't expect their descendants to be half of a singing duo" said Charles Wallace.

"But I let my son have it because it makes him happy" said Elizabeth. "Besides, my sister is older than me and her son now has the throne."

"Good. Jeremy's doing fine with us" said Charles Wallace. 

"But is he? Jeremy, just tell us. What are you so afraid of?" said Andy.

Jeremy sighed and took his wife's hand. "I'm afraid for my career. I'll have to go onstage like this."

"Like what? You're still skinny" said Charles Wallace.

"But soon, I won't be. And furthermore, I'll be sick all the time and need to leave the stage abruptly" said Jeremy.

"Well, if you're so sure about that, just avoid concerts" said Andy. 

"Then I'd be disappointing my fans" said Jeremy. 

Charles Wallace facepalmed. "Well... then just talk to Chad about it. He's done this before."

Jeremy relaxed a little. "He has, hasn't he?"

"So you'll come back then" Andy guessed.

"I suppose" said Jeremy.