2.08

So Jess had arrived to live in this town,
Though thought of that plight did sure make him frown.
With nothing to do, no fun to be had,
To live in this place would sure drive him mad.

Still he would survive. Someway he'd avow
To make his own fun, the way he knew how.
So just to keep sane, the rules he'd transgress.
And when he felt guilt, well, that, he'd repress.

Since some of his plans for having more fun
Were best to perform ere light of the sun,
Then once did he rise at crack of day's dawn
To put a For Sale sign upon Taylor's lawn.

(And Taylor guessed felon and, feeling a toughness,
Proceeded to Luke's to kick up a ruckus.
And Luke replied brusquely since truth, to be frank,
Was Luke was let down it was only a prank.)

Still other transgressions were easy to play
Right under their noses in broad light of day,
Since, for misdirection, young Jess had a gift.
For him, certain items were easy to lift.

The town's missing items appeared in his home:
Collection fund, hose and even a gnome.
Though all the things stolen were mostly returned,
Still by all estimates his uncle was burned.

Hot off the press of the Hollow's grapevine,
The latest transgression: a chalky outline.
The Hollow's young rogue seemed struck yet again
By staging a crime scene with yellow tape chain.

Now top on the list of meeting's agenda.
Said most of the town, "We have a vendetta."
All charges were made and piled then upon
A villain named Jess. Said, "We want him gone!"

To ambushed old Luke, the task did then fall
To lecture and tell off and admonish all,
To losses of Taylor some dollars extend,
And make a strong effort to nephew defend.

The townies still cried (the Sane and the Kook)
And seized on the chance to eviscerate Luke.
And Rory watched on, with fear in her eyes
As to the town's talk came his cross replies.

The passion of Taylor Luke could not assuage.
And soon from the building Luke strode out in rage.
To think of the town and all of its tyranny
Against some small acts of trivial villainy!

Saw Rory it all from a neighbourly perch
As Jess went around, his name to besmirch.
Wherever he went, created he buzz
That soon she could like, in spite or because.

When Rory saw Jess, it came to a head.
And from her hot lips, a lecture was sped.
In defence of poor Luke, she gave verbal lashing,
And deep in her eyes an anger was flashing.

"You care naught about poor Luke and his feelings!
You only give notice to your own misdealings.
Now all that Luke does is stick up for you.
And make his life harder is all that you do!

"I guess you are trying, with all your high jinx,
To be Holden Caulfield. But I think it stinks!
Now Luke's done a lot for my mom and me.
To see him attacked, I don't like to see!"

Despite Jess's self, he'd heed her rebuke.
He'd not before grasped what he'd done to Luke.
But after her speech revealed it was crummy,
He asked of her then, "But wasn't it funny?"

The Fates watched above, content with their work,
As she grew to grin and he grew to smirk.
For his little prank, she'd somewhat enthused.
And, for her esteem, he was quite amused.

"A perfect good start," Atropos did say.
"We'll pick up from here, on some other day.
Now let's stop him dead, 'fore he starts to love her
And introduce Dean, to show him the other."

Now Dean had his paycheck and he left the store
And stood next to Rory so Jess knew the score.
But still did Jess ask, define and make sure.
(And threw in a dig to make Dean insecure.)

Once Jess saw them close, he went on his way.
Though from them he walked, her thoughts took away,
And then did a deed, without single word,
Hoping she'd notice, to show her he heard.

A dash of amends and recompense mixed:
The toaster, once broken, was secretly fixed.
Another new layer to Rory was aired.
To see in Jess good; he secretly cared!

"You see the look shared ere left he the room?"
Lachesis gushed loudly, beside of her loom.
They patted their backs. Their skill they agreed:
The thought planted right, though humble the seed!

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