Catch and Release

Kid

Athena sat, nibbling on her pen. She had a meeting in an hour and no one to watch Jessie. Her usual baby sitter was sick. The ringing of her phone brought her back to her current position.

"Hello." She said with a slight bit in her tone.

"Hey, Thena! You sound stressed. You ok?" Jesse asked.

"Not quite. I have a meeting in an hour and no one to watch Jessie. His usual sitter is sick."

Jesse saw this as an opportunity to prove she was all in. "I can watch him."

"What!? Jesse no. I can't ask you to do that."

"You didn't. I volunteered. Plus Nic left me to be with her lady friend, I have nothing to do."

There was a long silence.

"Thena, I'll do it. How about I come over in 15 minutes?"

Athena let a small sight slip from her lips. "Ok. Thank you."

"It's nothing. See ya soon."

"Bye."

Athena hung up and began gathering her papers. She didn't know if this was a good idea but Jesse was her last option.

"Jessie! Come here, please."

The sound of tiny feet hitting the hard wood echoed through the halls.

"Yes, mommy."

"Mommy has a meeting and Jesse's coming to keep an eye on you. Please be on your best behavior."

The boy let out a tiny smirk. "Always Mommy."
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Jesse made her way to the door lifting to knock. She could hear the tiny yell of 'I got it' from the little boy.

"Hey you here! Mommy Jesse here!"

"Hey big man. I brought pizza. Just for us."

"Yes!" He replied in excitement.

"Hello."

"Hey. I hope pizza is ok." Jesse said.

"It's fine. His bedtime is 8. He'll try for longer but don't let him rope you into it. He takes a shower tonight. Make sure he brushes his teeth. No candy."

"Wow. Here I thought boot camp was bad." Jesse laughed slightly.

"Well, I want him to be healthy and happy. If you have any questions call me. Any emerg-"

"Athena, I'm a grown woman. I know what to do."

"Ok. Thank you so much. I'll be back by 9:30."

"Bye."

Athena gave one last look at her son and her...whatever Jesse was. They had sly smiles across their faces. Looking so much alike.

"Bye." She said hoping her home was in order when she returned. Hope, her new creed as far as both Jays were concerned.
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Jesse, or big J, was plating the pizza. Jessie, or LJ as he now wanted to be called, sat at the bar waiting on his pizza.

"Big J, how long have you know my Mommy?"

"Well, 12 years. I think."

"Thats a long time. Did you go to school with my Mommy?"

"No. I was in the Navy."

"Cool! Did you get to go on big boats?"

"Yeah. I can take you one day."

"Cool. Mommy says that she doesn't like boats."

Jesse chuckled. "She never has. I took her once. She got sick."