Purnell Wants to Marry Jade, but Larry Tells Him to Stay Away!
Purnell stood in Larry’s living room, his hands trembling with excitement and frustration. He had rehearsed the conversation several times in his head, but now that Larry was sitting across from him, he struggled to find the right words.
Larry noticed his expression and put down his phone.
LARRY: “What’s going on with you? You’ve been walking around here all day like you’ve got something important to say.”
Purnell took a deep breath.
PURNELL: “I do. And I need you to listen to me before you start judging me.”
Larry leaned back in his chair.
LARRY: “All right. I’m listening.”
PURNELL: “I’ve been spending a lot of time with Jade, and I know what I want now. I want to marry her.”
Larry’s expression changed immediately.
LARRY: “What did you just say?”
PURNELL: “You heard me. I want to marry Jade. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and I’m serious.”
Larry stared at him, trying to determine whether Purnell was joking.
LARRY: “Purnell, you cannot be serious right now.”
PURNELL: “Why wouldn’t I be serious? She’s somebody I care about. She makes me happy, and I want to build something with her.”
Larry shook his head.
LARRY: “You need to slow down and think about what you’re doing.”
PURNELL: “I’ve already thought about it. That’s why I’m telling you.”
Larry stood up and walked toward the kitchen. Purnell followed him, determined not to let the conversation end without making his feelings clear.
PURNELL: “Look, I know you might not understand it, but I’m not a little boy. I know what I want in my life.”
LARRY: “And I’m telling you that you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.”
Purnell frowned.
PURNELL: “What is that supposed to mean?”
Larry turned around and looked directly at him.
LARRY: “It means you need to stay away from Jade. You should not be talking about marrying her.”
Purnell’s face tightened.
PURNELL: “Why? What is your problem with her?”
LARRY: “My problem is that I know what kind of situation you’re getting yourself into. You barely know this woman, and now you’re talking about marriage like you’ve known her your whole life.”
PURNELL: “That’s not true. I’ve spent enough time with her to know how I feel.”
Larry let out a frustrated breath.
LARRY: “Purnell, listen to me. Jade is a call girl. You cannot just ignore that and pretend everything is going to work out because you’re feeling good right now.”
Purnell’s eyes widened.
PURNELL: “Don’t talk about her like that!”
LARRY: “I’m telling you the truth. You need to stop thinking with your emotions and start thinking about your future.”
PURNELL: “You don’t know what she means to me!”
Larry stepped closer.
LARRY: “And you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into!”
Purnell shook his head in disbelief.
PURNELL: “I came here because I thought you would be happy for me. I thought you would support me for once. Instead, you’re sitting here telling me that the woman I care about isn’t good enough for me.”
LARRY: “I’m telling you that you deserve better than a relationship that’s going to bring you nothing but problems.”
Purnell’s voice grew louder.
PURNELL: “You keep saying you want me to be happy, but every time I find somebody who makes me happy, you have something negative to say!”
Larry looked away for a moment.
LARRY: “That’s not fair.”
PURNELL: “No, what’s not fair is you trying to control my life!”
Larry turned back toward him.
LARRY: “I’m not trying to control your life. I’m trying to keep you from making a mistake that you’re going to regret.”
Purnell laughed bitterly.
PURNELL: “You know what? I don’t believe that.”
Larry’s eyebrows rose.
LARRY: “What are you talking about?”
Purnell stepped closer, his anger becoming impossible to hide.
PURNELL: “I think you just don’t want me to be with Jade because you want me to yourself. You want me around you all the time, and you don’t like the idea of me having somebody else in my life.”
Larry stared at him.
LARRY: “Are you seriously accusing me of that?”
PURNELL: “I’m telling you what it looks like!”
LARRY: “Purnell, you have lost your mind.”
PURNELL: “No, Larry. I’m finally starting to see things clearly.”
Larry shook his head.
LARRY: “You need to stop this. I’m your friend, and I’m trying to give you some good advice.”
PURNELL: “Then give me advice without disrespecting the woman I want to marry!”
For a moment, neither man spoke.
Purnell looked toward the front door, trying to calm himself down. He had never expected the conversation to turn into an argument. He had imagined Larry congratulating him, maybe asking a few questions, but not telling him to stay away from the woman he loved.
Larry watched him carefully.
LARRY: “Look, I’m not going to apologize for telling you the truth.”
Purnell turned around.
PURNELL: “And I’m not going to apologize for wanting to be with somebody who makes me happy.”
Larry sighed.
LARRY: “You can do whatever you want. But don’t come crying to me when things go wrong.”
Purnell’s expression hardened.
PURNELL: “That’s exactly what I’m talking about. You don’t even want to give her a chance.”
LARRY: “I don’t have to give her a chance. You’re the one talking about marrying her.”
PURNELL: “And I will marry her if that’s what I decide!”
Larry folded his arms.
LARRY: “Then don’t expect me to stand here and pretend I think it’s a good idea.”
Purnell shook his head and walked toward the door.
PURNELL: “You know what, Larry? I should have never told you anything.”
Larry followed him.
LARRY: “Purnell, don’t walk away from me like that.”
Purnell stopped but didn’t turn around.
PURNELL: “Why? So you can tell me one more time that I shouldn’t be with her?”
LARRY: “I’m telling you that you’re making a mistake.”
Purnell slowly turned back toward him.
PURNELL: “And I’m telling you that if you keep trying to come between me and Jade, you’re going to lose me.”
Larry’s face changed.
LARRY: “You wouldn’t do that.”
PURNELL: “Don’t be so sure.”
Purnell opened the door and stepped outside.
Larry stood in the doorway, watching him walk toward his car.
LARRY: “Purnell!”
Purnell stopped beside the driver’s door.
LARRY: “I’m only trying to look out for you!”
Purnell turned around one last time.
PURNELL: “Then start acting like my friend instead of somebody who wants to run my life!”
He got into his car and drove away.
Larry remained standing outside, his frustration growing as he watched the car disappear down the street.
A few minutes later, his phone rang.
It was Purnell.
Larry answered immediately.
LARRY: “What now?”
PURNELL: “I just spoke to Jade.”
Larry’s expression tightened.
LARRY: “And?”
PURNELL: “She wants to meet with both of us.”
Larry frowned.
LARRY: “Why would she want to meet with me?”
There was a brief silence.
PURNELL: “Because she heard what you said about her.”
Larry’s stomach dropped.
LARRY: “How did she hear that?”
PURNELL: “I told her everything.”
Larry closed his eyes.
LARRY: “Purnell, you shouldn’t have done that.”
PURNELL: “Well, she wants to talk to you. And I’m going to let her.”
Larry stared at his phone, suddenly realizing that the argument was far from over.
LARRY: “When?”
PURNELL: “Tomorrow. And Larry, I want you to think about what you’re going to say before you come.”
The call ended.
Larry slowly lowered his phone.
He had expected Purnell to calm down and eventually understand his concerns. Instead, he had made things worse.
Now Jade wanted to confront him face-to-face, and Larry knew that whatever happened next could change his relationship with Purnell forever.
TO BE CONTINUED…