Chronically Metropolitan Page #6

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But be more than that.

Don't do what I did.

What are you talking about?

I didn't care about anything

but being a novelist.

I was a sh*t husband,

lousy father, let's face it.

Things I needed to work on,

I forgot all about that.

I was just a success.

And I let everybody down,

I know that.

I let myself down.

But it's not too late for you.

But you are still young enough

not to make my mistakes.

I think your mother

is leaving me for good.

Yeah, so do I.

I feel awful.

Ah...

I guess...

Ah...

Sometimes the best thing you can

do for someone is to just...

Let 'em go.

Christopher?

Ah.

No, no, don't get up.

Is this your next masterpiece?

Oh... Yes, the next

great American novel.

Of course, you and I both know, I've only

written one good book in my entire life.

And I remember...

I remember you,

walking around

with the manuscripts

in a shopping bag

all over the city.

Huh.

I delivered them to

every agent and publisher

in New York City.

Those were mad, grand days.

They loved you.

Oh...

We were never the same.

No.

Can you...

Are you gonna, uh,

come back to me?

Full disclosure, Fenton.

I never would have asked you

to come back to New York

if we weren't serious about

wanting to publish this novel.

Yes, soon, James. Um...

To be honest, I feel like I've

just hit on something and...

You know, I'd like some more

time, if it's possible.

Please keep writing.

Layla.

Layla!

- I did not...

- You didn't knock.

Layla, could you please

put some clothes on?

Oh, come on,

don't be such a prude.

How many times have

you seen me naked?

We used to take baths together.

Yeah, when we were little kids.

Tell her to put

some clothes on, John.

Layla...

What the f***, John?

Oh, sh*t, sorry.

What do you want?

Therapy.

All right, and to tell you Jessie's

wedding is in an hour, so...

Hurry up or

you're gonna be late.

Why are you walking so fast?

Because it's important to me.

So, you know I have to go back to

Bard in a couple of days, right?

Yeah.

And a funny thing

about that, actually.

Yeah? What's that?

I know this guy up there

that's opening up a new bar.

Might need some help running it.

Really?

Mmm.

If it doesn't jam you up,

I wouldn't mind getting out

of the city for a minute.

Come on.

Let's not be late.

One moment, please.

I think I'd feel totally

unjammed by that situation.

Yeah?

I'd really love that.

Hmm?

So, sorry, Anna.

Go.

It's a little awkward.

Are you okay?

No, I can't believe

I f***ed this up, too.

Are you leaving?

No. I was looking

for you.

Dad, um...

You remember Fenton, right?

Uh, can you give us a minute?

I'll, uh, tell them you're

having an issue with your dress.

Good to see you, sir.

Yeah.

What are you doing?

Getting married, I guess.

Yeah, everyone's in there.

Waiting.

I don't know if I can do this.

Why not?

Well, I didn't sleep last night.

That makes sense.

The night before the wedding.

You're kidding, right?

Yeah. There's that, too.

I wanted to tell Victor

what happened.

That's probably not a good idea.

Yeah.

He wouldn't understand.

Do you?

Not really.

God, I'm f***ing

terrified, Fenton.

I mean, did I rush into this?

So soon after...

He is a really good man.

And I love him.

God, this is so pathetic.

I was so sure a week ago.

Look, if you want, I'll just...

I'll just tell him,

you know, that you're

having second thoughts.

That you're scared to death you

might be making a mistake,

that we had sex the other day...

And now you think you might

be marrying the wrong man.

Really? You would do that?

In a heartbeat.

We'll just catch a cab,

ride off into the sunset.

Live happily ever after.

In Des Moines

with 2.3 kids,

a white picket fence, a yard...

A big f***ing butter sculpture.

Jess, it's been, uh...

It's been really hard

to see you.

But it's been good, you know?

You know, I've realized that your

life didn't stop and mine did.

And you went on.

Met new friends.

Got a new lover.

I mean, God, look at you.

You look beautiful, Jess.

And you deserve the best.

So, what do I do?

Keep going.

Okay-

You really were leaving,

weren't you?

Yeah, I thought so.

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