"I wanted to talk to Renee."

Well, that was your problem, right there. If Renee was "egging her on" as you said, then I think the apology afterward went the wrong direction.

The way Renee saw it, she was showing me exactly why my defense of Jennie was unwarranted... by making me have to put up with her antics instead.

"Have sympathy with me!"

Too bad you couldn't have handed the phone over to a friend more suited to the task. We all feel sorry for your distress, even as we're kidding around with you, but it's hard to feel sympathy for someone we'd trade places with in an instant, pal.

Fully understood! :-)