Jessie Insists

I'm new at journal writing. I'm not what you'd call the introspective type. But I noticed my new boss and friend Sabrina Natsume writes down what she does every day and I've decided to give it a try. My usual entry is pretty short, as I said I don't see much point in wasting a lot of time on this journal thing. Today is different, I made a decision today that I'm none too sure about, and that's rare.

You see I know what I know, and I'm usually right. I'm not indecisive, when I make up my mind I don't look back. So why am I unsure this time? Well, it's like this. Sabrina wants to meet her lover Koga's first love and she is going with that woman's teenage daughter. Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. Trouble is, if I go along with Sabrina to watch her back – she's not naïve really, but she's weak on understanding human nature – I'll need to leave my own beau James more or less in charge of security at Sabrina's gym. Don't get me wrong, James is a sweet guy and he's got more brains than it seems at first, but without me he'll be hopeless. Put him together with our little pal Meowth and they are doomed. Within a day of my departure James will be sure to show up at breakfast wearing his underpants outside of his trousers – probably on Meowth's advice.

I found out about Sabrina's travel plans during our daily Pokémon practise battle. As usual I used my wobbuffet against one of her Pokémon. Today she used a kadabra.  Wobby hung in there pretty well by using mirror coat and safeguard but it's hard to defend against future sight and I hate to use destiny bond except in  an all-out battle. It's not as if I don't see the value in a spiteful tactic, spite is a specialty of mine, but I hate to do deliberate harm to my own Pokémon even one as full of himself as Wobby. After the fight Sabrina said, "You'll have to hold down the fort here for a couple of weeks. I'm headed for the Orange Islands."

"Oh yeah? Why not ask me and James to come along? We could use the tanning time."

"I'd rather keep the party small. I'm looking for Lorelei Kanna with Janine."

"Sabrina, that girl doesn't trust you yet. Besides why ask for trouble? Especially with a nervy inexperienced girl at your side," I argued, seeing the danger in her plan.

"So, I should go with a nervy experienced woman instead?" she retorted, grinning mischievously at me.

"Well…yeah," I said felling a little ticked-off.

"You would leave James in charge of security here?" she answered, cocking an eyebrow.

"Um…sure, he's got to take on some responsibility someday. Right?" I said doubtfully.

Sabrina giggled, "All right Jessie. Have it your way then. We'll make it a party of three. I am touched by your concern. Dad and James should have no problems at the gym while we're gone."

After dinner I talked with James. He looked wide-eyed at me after I completed my speech. "So, you're gonna just take off on me like that? You know Jess we've seldom been apart since we became partners."

"Yeah, I know," I sighed, and I looked at his forlorn puppy-like expression feeling equally forlorn for a moment. I shook my head slightly, "Look, it's not like we have to hold hands and look out for each other all the time. It'll be good for you to take on some responsibility…right?"

Uh, sure Jess, whatever you say. I'll be okay, besides Meowth will be sure to straighten me out," he said distantly.

I rolled my eyes, but held my tongue as I struggled to think of something positive to say, "You'll be fine, but don't do just anything Meowth suggests 'cause it sounds good."

"Why do you have to go with Natsume on this trip Jess? Isn't she a big girl?" James wondered.

"I think you will agree that Natsume is our meal ticket. We don't want anything bad to happen to her. That bratty twerp of Koga's doesn't like her and maybe Kanna will be jealous. Sabrina is my friend, one of only a couple I have in all the world, you and Meowth will be fine."

"I understand Jess. We do need Natsume. Well, take care," James said suddenly hugging me hard, pulling me close to him.

I closed my eyes and relaxed a little, "James? Promise me to put your pants on after your underwear. Okay?"