XVIII. The other Jess
Her house was nice. It was elegant. Her parents greeted us.
Jess: I’m going to shower. Just behave okay?
Jess’: What am I, a dog?
Jess: Yeah. Haha. Ma, he’s a friend. No, he’s actually just crashing so entertain him.
Mom: Are you… Together?
Jess: MaAAAAAAA!
Mom: Just asking, sweetheart.
Her mom’s funny.
Jess’: No, ma’am. We just met a couple of days.
Mom: Just Tita Eril. There still time… You know. She’s hard but she’s nice.
What is her mom doing? Asking me to make out with her daughter?
Jess’: Oh. Uhh.
Mom: She’s gay. I know alright.
Jess’: Oh youuuu…know.
Mom: Yes. She’s our only daughter. I was 39 when I gave her birth. Maybe that’s why she’s psycho. Hahahaha.
Jess’: Oh. Mother’s know best.
She’s sweet and funny. She showed me around the house. It is cozy here. It feels home. I miss my parents. My whole family lives abroad. I insisted to stay. I love it here. She showed me baby pictures and all. Jess is cute, alright. She’s like a cute baby girl that you want to cuddle with…
Mom: You seriously don’t like her?
Jess’: Oh. Uhh. She’s bossy. But she’s nice.
Mom: Yes. That kid. She grew up alone, you see. Her cousins were either abroad or far from us. We only see them on Christmas. She grew up tough.
Jess’: I like her. It’s just that I’m in love with someone else… But she doesn’t like me.
Jess peeked down at us, still wet and wearing her robe.
Jess: Hey you! Come up. You got a story to tell.
Jess’: You might want to dress up.
Jess: Nah. It’s okay. You’re harmless. I’m gay. My parents wouldn’t mind. In fact, they’d love this.
I glanced at her father for any sign of reaction. He smiled.
Dad: Son, if you can lay even a hand on her, I’ll hug you. If you marry her, I’ll give you all my money.
I laughed and made my way upstairs. I glanced back.
Jess’: I’ll try my best. Wish me luck.
Jess: Shut up. Pa, he’s a doctor. He earns all that you have with one operation.
