Jessie Come Home

After my last movie, I thought my life was going perfect. I even heard from my manager that I was wanted to make a small cameo in the newest Star Wars movie.

But then they found Alexis Reynolds. An up-and-coming star from Oklahoma, and she got the spot. I figured so what? Its not like she was going to take my entire career from me, it was just one slot. I would be back for my next movie after that, no biggie. But I was wrong, foolishly wrong. That bratty son of a bitch got every acting gig coming her way. My old job was nothing but a memory.

With no money to get by, I needed a place to stay. A place that wasn't Texas. Because my Dad would say 'I told you so.' So, as much as I hated it, I needed to go back to the one place I knew that would take me back.

I walked inside the hotel building and nodded at Tony, the bell boy. He smiled at me and wrapped me in a hug.

"Jessie, what are you doing here?" He asked.

"Well, hopefully getting my old job back. Do you know if they're home?"

He nodded, and I smiled at him. I stepped into the elevator and selected the top button. The doors closed, and I was lifted into the Ross's penthouse. The elevator dinged, and I walked inside the ravishing yet welcoming home.

I set my bags near the couch and looked around for the kids, who I was dying to see again. I heard an earsplitting scream coming from the kitchen.

Emma and Luke!

And sure enough, the two came running into the living room and landed on the couch. Right onto my lap. When they saw me, their breath caught. For once in his life, Luke managed to quiet down. The two siblings stood up and stared at me.

"…Jessie?" Emma asked.

I smiled in response.

"What are you doing here?" Asked Luke.

"I was kind of…sort of…maybe hoping that I could have my job back. Are your parents home? I'd love to talk to them."

Luke and Emma exchanged looks of guilt and sat down next to me.

"What?" I asked.

"Jessie, here's the thing." Emma said, "you've been gone for so long. Mom and Dad had to find us a new nanny, and well…"

"They found one." Luke finished.

I frowned, "When?"

"The day after you left." Said Emma.

My heart broke into a million pieces. Was I really that replaceable? I thought these kids loved me as much as I had loved them. But I must have been wrong. I couldn't seem to form any words, so all that came out of my mouth was "Oh…"

Luke bit his lip in guilt, and Emma played with her hair.

I cleared my throat, "Well, then. I'm very sorry to have waisted your time."

I got up and grabbed my suitcase and purse.

"Jessie…" Emma called.

"Its alright. Don't worry, Emma." I pushed the elevator button and entered its open doors. I waved goodbye to the upset children. Then the doors closed.

"Am I crazy, or did I just hear Jessie?" Zuri Ross yelled halfway down the staircase, after I had left.

"You're not crazy, Zuri."

"That's debatable." Luke said.

"What was she doing here?" Zuri asked.

"She was wanting her job back." Emma explained, "ever since Alexis Reynolds stole her career, she must be desperate for work."

"Really? Is she coming back?"

"No. Remember, we have Kasi. Besides, Mom would never allow her to come back."

I exited the apartment building, where it was raining. My mascara was smudged with tears. I turned a corner into an ally and found an adequate space to sleep under an awning. Yep, this was me. Jessie, the new homeless chick in town. I was pathetic. I was worthless.

My life was broken, and it was all thanks to Alexis.

The sun dawned eight hours later. I awoke with an aching neck and back. It took a second to process where I was, and to remember the unfortunate events from yesterday. I broke into the closed Deli where I had been sleeping under and dragged my suitcase in with me.

I changed in the bathroom and touched up my hair. Hey, at least I had my clothes, right? At least I didn't look like I was homeless.

I needed somewhere to go. Somewhere where I wouldn't smell like cigarette smoke and fertilizer. I needed to get out of here.

But where?

I puzzled this for a moment. A moment too long, apparently, because when I turned around my suitcase and purse were missing. Great, now not only was I homeless, but I didn't have any money or clean clothes.

I checked outside and was pleased to see the thief had at least left my pillow and blanket. I walked out of the ally and to the park. It was a long walk, but I didn't have much of a choice. I couldn't call a cab with no money, now could I?

The park's fresh air managed to calm me down a little bit. Let's be clear- a little, not completely. But it was progress.

I heard squeals of joy coming from the playground nearby and smiled at the sight of Zuri sliding down the slide. And her new Nanny, a young woman in her early 20's waiting at the bottom to catch her. I looked down at my feet, trying to hide my tears.

I sighed and got up, heading back to my ally. Guess the park wasn't as refreshing as it used to be.

My stomach growled on my way home. No, home was not the word. I wouldn't even call it a temporary home. It was just…an ally. When you lived in New York as long as I had, you would know every nook and cranny of this town.

Including (sigh) the Soup Kitchen. I walked inside and went up to the lunch line, where the lunch ladies were standing. They looked at my outfit and scoffed, "You're just trying to get some free food, aren't you girl?"

"Well I should hope so, I'm homeless."

"You're homeless?" Emma shouted from behind me.

I turned around and teared up at the sight of Emma. She, along with her brothers and little sister were all staring at me in awe.

"Oh...hey." I said awkwardly, the turned around.

I finally managed to grab my lunch. I had to explain my situation in a whisper to the lunch ladies, and they nodded. I walked over to a table with my tray, the Ross kids hot on my trail.

They sat down across from me and we sat in silence as I ate my food. By the disgusting taste and smell, I felt like I was back in high school again.

"Jessie." Emma said, breaking the silence, "I can't take this anymore. Just tell us what happened."

I shrugged, "Em, it's no big deal."

The four kids gave me a look, and I leaned back in my chair, "Fine."

I told them everything; how I had lost my job to a snooty actress, which was why I was trying to get my old job back. I told them that I had moved into an ally, and how I had gotten robbed this morning.

I heard a unison of whimpers and set down my spork when I saw them all in tears.

"Hey." I said softly, leaning in, "its okay. You know me guys, I'm tough. I'll be okay."

Emma shook her head, "No, Jessie. You won't be okay."

"Well, thanks for being so positive." I said, with a heavy layer of sarcasm.

"We need you back. We miss you." Zuri said, "The new Nanny sucks!"

"Really? Because when I saw you in the park with her, it looked like you guys were having fun."

"Yeah, she was only playing with her because she threatened to give away all Zuri's stuffed animals."

I gasped.

"Yeah. And she canceled my subscriptions to all my magazines!" Emma shouted.

I frowned.

"And she's forcing me to take…" Luke shuddered, "showers."

"I was wondering why you didn't smell like expired milk and fresh fertilizer."

"And the worst part is, I caught Kasi searching places to sell Komodo Dragons. She's trying to give away Mrs. Kipling!" Ravi started to cry harder.

"That's horrible."

"Not as horrible as what you are going through, Jessie. Why didn't you just tell us what happened?"

"I didn't think you'd want me back. Considering you replaced me so quickly."

"Seriously?" Luke chuckled, "Jessie, we all miss you. We'd talk to our parents about giving you your job back, but its like Kasi is always one step ahead of us."

"So, you really want me back?"

They nodded, and I felt relieved. But then a thought occurred to me, "What are you guys even doing here? I thought Wednesdays were for shopping."

"Well, they were. But Kasi is making us do volunteer work." Emma said, "And I'm kind of glad she did."

"Aw, because it feels good to give back?"

"No, because that means I won't have to do my Math homework."

I gave her a look.

"And that we got to see you." They stood up and so did I. Zuri tugged on the bottom of my dress and I lifted her up. We walked out of the restaurant together, back to the Ross house.

When we got there, Kasi was loading Mrs. Kipling into a wooden crate. Ravi ran over to her and placed his hand on the box, "What do you think you're doing?"

She chuckled nervously, "Oh, Ravi. I didn't notice you were home. Um… Mrs. Kipling and I were practicing a magic trick. I'm trying to practice making her disappear."

He growled, and I stepped forward.

"Hi, I'm Jessie Prescott."

I held out my hand, but she ignored it. I took it away and smiled, "Mrs. Kipling is very special to Ravi. I think it is very cruel of you to try and get rid of him."

"Who are you to tell me what to do? That kid needs friends his own age, and human."

"I have friends my own age, you dastardly woman!"

"I don't care what you think about your stupid, idiotic decisions. But is it worth taking away Ravi's favorite thing in the world?"

"Yeah, Kasi. You're acting like quite the bi-"

"Emma!" I shouted, silencing her.

"Just like Mrs. Kipling, these kids mean everything to me. And as far as I can see, you don't have one ounce of love for them."

"Why does it matter if I do or don't?"

"Because every kid deserves to be around someone who loves them. And you, you are just one mean, heartless witch of a woman."

Kasi smiled, "I guess you do have a point. These kids do deserve love, but unfortunately, that is something I cannot dispense for them. Here, take the house key. If you love them so much, try putting up with them their entire life. I have my sympathies for you, Bessie."

She took the elevator down and I smiled at the kids. I suggested we all go out for celebratory ice cream but remembered I didn't have any money."

"Here." Zuri said, handing me a roll of hundreds, "To get you started."

I smiled at her through tears and wrapped her in a giant hug. Sure, my acting career had gone down the toilet. But something good had come out of it.

I had found my one true home, which I shared with the people I loved most. And there was no way I would be leaving here anytime soon.