Stephen, who initially understood about Jonathan being upset with Jennifer, in not telling him about the Birth Control Pills, became incensed at hearing how Jonathan viewed his beloved daughter after learning of her assault and his refusal to listen to her. Additionally, Jonathan's considering Jennifer "less than" because of her "relationship" with Elliot, had Stephen beside himself, considering Jonathan's "less than" upbringing, despite it being no fault of his own! What was stark and ironic to Stephen, was Jonathan looking down on Jennifer, because of whom she had a past relationship with, no matter how innocent, when he himself, was the playboy of the West Coast, having slept with women, whom Stephen knew from his investigation of Jonathan, before marrying Jennifer, to be of the seedier stock. How dare he, Stephen thought, how dare that born of nothing ragamuffin, speak and think that way of his only child.
Stephen knew the next words out of his mouth to his daughter, would perhaps make the situation worse, but he felt he needed to speak to them. "Jennifer", Stephen began, "I suggest you give yourself another day to think about your next steps regarding Jonathan and your marriage; however, my dear girl, after hearing Jonathan's reaction to the past horrific situation you experienced, perhaps it would be best that you contact an Attorney; for advice on separation and possibly divorce." Stephen quickly added, "Now, I know that may make your angry or upset, but, darling, if you cannot get through to Jonathan, despite all of your attempts to explain Elliot, and he continues to act in this manner, then I think, as difficult and sad as it may be, it is the right thing for you – I will email you my Attorney's contact information.
Jennifer just stared at the phone and thought, "Is this really where I'm at in my life?" "Possibly divorcing my husband, over a misunderstanding, his own ego, and as a result, my father saying so?"
"Pa, I'm going to take more than a few days and at that time, I am going to try again to reach Jonathan, despite the distance and try to work this whole mess out; I'll call you when I'm ready, but I will tell you Pa, I'm not ready to give up on Jonathan, so I don't need your Attorney's contact information."
Jennifer quickly hung up and headed directly to the bathroom for a long and much needed hot soak in the bathtub.
Jennifer's head was in a whirl, while trying to relax in the tub; could she and Jonathan's marriage really be ending over a misunderstanding about Elliot and if so, where and how does Jonathan get off thinking the worst of her because of it. She was not a woman, who had many boyfriends, "slept" around, nor did she run with the "wrong" crowd, but even if she had, that wasn't Jonathan's place to judge! Truth be told Jennifer thought, Jonathan's past, particularly when he became wealthy, was much more salacious than hers, with some of those women being nothing more than gold diggers, and that admonition came from Jonathan himself. Realizing that she wasn't going to be able to relax, Jennifer got out of the tub, quickly dried off and decided to make herself a Caprese Salad w/a glass of Lemon Tea. Sitting at the kitchen island with her meal, Jennifer eyed the phone, thinking, "Should I", and without another thought, she picked it up and dialed Willow Pond.
Expecting to hear Max's voice, she was surprised to hear Jonathan answer…" Hello" came that voice she so loved, but, yet still so angry at. A deep breath, then "Jonathan, it's me."
Silence permeated the air, for what to Jennifer, seemed like hours and then it began," Where the hell are you?" "You just up and leave without a word Jennifer and I don't know where you are; whether or not you're hurt and absolutely no way of contacting you?" "I tried calling your father, but each time I did, there was nothing but an answering machine; Walter wasn't even available."
Jennifer determined not to yell over the phone, calmly spoke, "Jonathan, I left because of the way you responded to finding out about my past with Elliot and because I needed time and space away from you as a result." "You treated me like dirt Jonathan and made me feel less than, for having the temerity to even know Elliot Manning, let alone be involved in a relationship, regardless of its true nature - business or not!" "I deserved none of your Judgement, but, at the very least, I did deserve your patience, willingness to hear my story and most of all, support; I mean, isn't that what "for better or worse" mean?" Jonathan, hoping he could hold onto his patience at having to speak his wife via phone, because she chose to leave, began, "Jennifer, I'm not the one who lied about the Birth control or wanting to have my child, you did." "I'm also not the one who kept secret, a relationship with a man, whom you know how much I despise; a man who has been a thorn in my side for years in business and only now to find out, that he's "fucked my wife and impregnated her" and the sickening part, you chose to have that child, his child." Jonathan's anger rose, "So tell me Jennifer, why did you decide to keep his child, yet, you say you never loved him, but you allegedly love me and for some reason, you don't want my child."
"I think Jennifer, that you're running away answered that question for me."
Jennifer felt her blood pressure and anger, then the damn burst, "Jonathan Hart, I'm only going to say this once and you'd better hear it - what I did or didn't do with any one man, prior to meeting you, is none of your damn business." "You have no right to act as if, you should have had some control over my past – you don't!" "Now, for the record and not that I'm obligated to explain this to you, although I tried to on the way to airport and in the plane, but, I did NOT have a personal relationship with Elliot Manning, other than the business of Journalism and the outcome of that, was not of my choice. Let me also remind you, that I was not your wife, at that time!" "Additionally, the choices I had to make, as a result of Elliot, were mine to make, not anyone else's and certainly not ones, that need to meet with your current standards of approval." "Last thing Jonathan, if you believe that I didn't or don't want to carry your child or that I kept Elliot Manning a secret from you, because I was ashamed or afraid of your hatred for him; well then you clearly don't know me at all and if that's the case, then we have a decision to make, don't we?"
Jonathan, despite his hurt and anger, wanted to try and change the trajectory of this conversation, to one that didn't lead to the end of their marriage, "Jennifer listen, we need to talk, I mean really talk and we can't do that, if we're not in the same space; please tell me where you are and I will go to you – then we can sit down work through this."
Jennifer listened to him incredulously, hadn't she been talking to him? Didn't she just tell him, he was completely wrong about Elliot, yet he didn't ask why? About being wrong when it came to having his child and his silence at hearing that! But, like that night in New York, did he really or simply refuse to listen, because his point and ego are more important? Jennifer remained silent a few more minutes, then spoke, "Jonathan, I think we need some more time apart, in order for us both to think clearly and for the anger to dissipate, before we can begin to talk." Jonathan spoke quickly, "Jennifer, how do you expect the anger to subside or see things with a clearer mind, when we're apart?" "How do you think not knowing where you are, your hesitation to tell me where or the thought that you don't want to come home, is going to make the anger disappear?" Jennifer, emotionally wiped out from the conversation and regretting having called, simply said, "Jonathan, I love you, but I need to go, I will call you in a few days." She then hung up, went to the bedroom, got into bed and under the blankets, then cried herself to sleep.
Jonathan heard the click and just stared at the phone, before putting it down. He was worn out from the conversation, but worst of all, lonely and feeling like he did as a child, abandoned. Abandoned by the woman who claimed to love him beyond life. He quickly walked to the bar to pour himself a tall glass of Pappy Van Winkle's Bourbon – It's what was required at the moment, and may continue to be, if Jennifer didn't come back to him. As he took a long swig, Max entering from the Kitchen, watched Jonathan toss it back and shook his head. He walked over to him, placed a hand on his shoulder and said, she isn't come home anytime soon, is she? Jonathan, shot out, "not now Max, I'm in no mood to discuss it". Max shrugged and said, "Suit yourself, but it's your suit that's the wrong style Mr. H, and if you don't change it, she may never come home – You think about that, before continuing to place blame where it doesn't belong."
Several days had passed since Stephen Edwards spoke to his daughter and as he sat in his study, staring at a picture of Jennifer and her mother, he hoped this time alone in Italy, gave her some clarity, in what she was planning for the next step in her life.
As he sat back in his chair, he was still shocked at the events that had taken place in just a few short days, the worst being Jonathan's unacceptable and disparaging behavior towards Jennifer. As he continued to process his son-in-laws' behavior, the phone rang, disconnecting Stephen's thoughts and soon after, Walter entered the study, handing the phone to him, stating, "Mr. Edwards, Mr. Hart is on the line for you, he says it's urgent!". Stephen laughed sarcastically and said, "Urgent?" "That man thinks I'm going to rush and entertain anything he has to say?".
"Walter, tell him I'm not available and if he doesn't know it already, neither is Jennifer!" Walter relayed the message to Jonathan, and after a few seconds, he turned back to Stephen, "Mr. Edwards, Mr. Hart is calling from the front door and demands to speak to either you or Jennifer." At that, Stephen stormed past Walter, but Walter grabbed Stephen's arm and said, "Mr. Edwards, whatever it is, please go easy and try speaking to him diplomatically – Ms. Jennifer would appreciate that much from you.
Stephen took a deep breath and went to the door, opening it to see the man, who just a few minutes ago he could see himself strangling, at his treatment of Jennifer, his only child.