Hey, Jessie

The Second Kiss

Ryan slammed his back against the tree, feeling the rough bark dig into his skin through the thin material of his t-shirt. He dropped to his knees, cradling his injured wrist, and trying desperately to steady his ragged breathing.

"Shit, it's not my fault the bastard got fired again," he muttered to himself as he blurrily inspected the fresh cigarette burn on his wrist. He poked at his swelling right eye and was dismayed at the bright red blood covering his fingertips.

"What the hell am I gonna tell my teacher tomorrow?" he asked himself. "I can't keep falling down the same fucking stairs."

"Hey Ryan." Jessie's soft voice startled him out of his self-contemplation. Dressed in a plaid, pleated skirt and soft, white blouse, her long hair braided and tied back with ribbon, Jessie looked innocent and surreally out of place among the littered yards and rundown homes. Ryan moved to cover his wrist, but Jessie was faster. Holding his hand she inspected the blistering welt.

"Mike?" she asked, correctly identifying Dawn's current boyfriend.

"Yeah," Ryan mumbled, embarrassed to have his abuse exposed.

"Well, let's get it cleaned up," Jessie tugged on Ryan's hand until he stood up. She guided him down the block to her own, immaculately kept home.

"Jess," Mrs. Taylor stopped, frowning when she saw who her daughter was leading into the house. Her opinion of Trey was even lower than Jessie's and she disapproved of Ryan on general association.

"He got beat up, Mom," Jessie explained.

Mrs. Taylor came closer, her eyes softening as she examined the still bleeding gash above Ryan's eye, as well as the yellowing bruises on his chin and jaw.

"Not the first time this month either, poor little guy," she said, smoothing his hair back from his face. Ryan wasn't sure whether he should be relieved that she wasn't upset with him or humiliated that his small stature made him appear closer to ten than twelve.

"Patch him up, Jessie. There's Top Ramen for dinner and you two can have the ice cream bars in the freezer for dessert." With a final pat to Ryan's head and a kiss on Jessie's cheek, Mrs. Taylor left for work, locking the front door as she went.

"Go wash your hands and then sit here," Jessie ordered, pointing to a metal chair beside the kitchen table.

Ryan was impressed with the array of first aid supplies Jessie spread on the battered tabletop. He felt lucky if he could find a simple band aid at his house. Jessie had bandages of different sizes and shapes, gauze, tape, antiseptic wipes, Neosporin, Bactine, and Tylenol. She popped the lid on that and tipped two white caplets into her hand.

"Here, take these." She handed the pills to Ryan along with a can of Coke.

Ryan obediently swallowed the Tylenol and then drained the can. He sat quietly in his seat as Jessie cleaned and bandaged his wounds.

"That should do it," she said, ruffling his hair. "Are you hurt anywhere else?"

Ryan pulled back and glared at her. "You don't have to treat me like I'm a little kid."

"You are a little kid," Jessie replied with a maternal smile that just antagonized Ryan more.

"You didn't think that the other night." Ryan stood up, wishing like hell he was tall enough to look her in the eye. God, no wonder she thought he was just some stupid baby.

"Ry," Jessie started to respond but Ryan reached up and caressed her lips with his fingers, effectively shushing her.

"Hey, Jessie, can I kiss you?" Ryan tilted his head and asked with just a hint of a smile.

Jessie returned the smile, shaking her head slightly, but she bent down and touched her lips to Ryan's. Ryan moved his hand to the side of her face and pressed his body against hers as she slipped her tongue into his open mouth.

The harsh clank of a door being unlocked caused them to jump apart, breathless and a bit stunned. However, by the time Robin and Trey stumbled into the room they were breathing normally and innocently repacking the first aid kit.