Hey, Jessie
Not Only a Kiss
Ryan surveyed the crowded gym, amazed at the transformation. Lunch tables that were normally covered in discarded food now held cardboard displays announcing each student's scientific knowledge and competence. He couldn't believe his Vitamin C experiment garnered the first place ribbon for his grade, but there it was, tacked to the top of his board. Mrs. Taylor had swooped by early on and given him a proud hug, congratulating Dawn for raising such an intelligent son.
Dawn was another source of amazement for Ryan. She was here sober and nicely dressed, just like all the other mothers, beaming her pride for her youngest son to everyone who walked by his display. He was delighted that she had not only taken time off to attend his event, but that she was also enjoying his success.
When the Science Fair ended the two of them headed over to McDonalds and celebrated with Big Macs and McFlurries. Surprisingly relaxed they laughed and talked, Dawn effervesce in her approval and Ryan relishing the positive attention. Later, as they drove home, Dawn continued to praise Ryan. According to her, he could be anything he wanted, he would get scholarships to the finest schools and make them all proud. Ryan felt ten feet tall and happily believed every word.
That happiness burst into deluded fragments once inside the door of their squalid duplex. Mike was waiting for them and quickly traversed the tiny living room to backhand Ryan to the floor.
"Stop it," yelled Dawn. "What the hell did you do that for?"
"Your boy genius didn't put the lid back on the garbage can and the dog spread trash all over the backyard." Mike jerked Ryan to his feet and shoved him toward the back door. "Get out there and clean that shit up," he ordered.
Ryan stumbled out the door, sucking his bleeding lip. He cursed silently to himself as he stomped around the weed-filled yard, picking up the scattered trash and depositing it into the battered cans next to the fence. When he finished he set a broken cinder block on the lid to discourage the dog and slunk into the darkened house. Mike and his mother had vanished to the bedroom, but Ryan could hear their arguing as plainly as if they were in the front room.
He grabbed a change of clothes and headed to the bathroom where he quickly showered, washing off the stench of trash and disillusionment. Once he was clean and dressed he retreated to his bedroom. Frustrated by the crushing blow of his normal existence he stood staring at the closed bedroom door; wanting, needing, what? To escape? Peace? His mother? Tears stung his eyes as he shamefully wished for the woman he knew only existed in his fantasies. He sucked in his breath and gripped his arms across his chest until bruises formed and the desire faded, replaced by the dull awareness that this was all his life had to offer.
Ryan abruptly left his bedroom, pausing just inside the front door to make sure that Dawn and Mike were too immersed in their own squabbles to worry about him. He left quietly and walked quickly down the dark street until he was standing in front of the Taylor house. Mrs. Taylor had already left for work, but Trey and his friends could be seen laughing and drinking through the open curtains.
Ryan had no desire to be humiliated and abused by his brother, so he climbed over the chain-linked fence and walked through the freshly mowed lawn to stand outside Jessie's bedroom window. He knocked softly and was rewarded moments later when the curtains parted as Jessie peered into the darkness. She instantly opened the window when she saw who had knocked.
"Hey, Jessie." Ryan's voice cracked and he caught his breathe, unable to go on.
Jessie removed the screen and helped him clamber through the opening. After she replaced the screen and locked the window she turned to Ryan, sighing at the split lip and distressed at the conflicting emotions that flit across his face. She wanted desperately to comfort him, but was unsure how, knowing instinctively that he needed more than she could ever give. In the end, she turned off the light and slipped out of her tank top and panties. Ryan sucked in his lip and watched wide eyed as she slid beneath the covers of her bed. She held them open and gestured for him to join her.
Ryan slowly removed his own clothing, embarrassed by the ill-fitting briefs his mother picked up at the dollar store. His dingy, second hand clothes were a hateful contrast to the clean and colorful bedding surrounding Jessie. Once naked, he crawled in beside her and pulled the covers around them. Snuggled together, she cupped his face and gently kissed his injured lip. Ryan began to reciprocate, tentatively at first but quickly becoming more insistent until he balanced above her, waiting for her acquiescence.
Her gasp of pain as he thrust into her startled him and he tried to pull away, but Jessie nibbled his earlobe and drew him back. "It's ok, baby. Don't stop."
He nuzzled the soft flesh beneath her jaw and rocked forward, encouraged as she rose to meet him. Ryan allowed the rhythmic motion and rising euphoria to pour over his misery, covering the jagged points and chasing away the dark shadows with a sudden burst of light.
Afterward, Jessie held him close, cradling him in her arms as he fell into contented sleep, entrusting himself to the safety of her soft caresses and soothing murmurs.
