I'm In Love With A Rebel

Allergies

After I had tutored Jesse and Helen tutored me, I went home to an empty house. I looked all around to find someone. It wasn't like the house to be completely empty.
"I'm in the house, and I'm alone...." I walked into our big family room and looked around. "There are forty-seven freakin' people living in this house, yet no one's here." Was I over thinking this? Probably, yes.
I walked up the stairs and to my room. I opened the door and threw my backpack in the corner as I sighed.
"Whassamatter?"
I looked up to see Jesse sitting in my bed. "Jesse? How-how- how'd you get here before me?"
"I didn't stop to pet every dog I passed."
I smiled and sat down. "What can I say? I love dogs."
"Which one's your favorite?"
"I don't know. I like boxers and golden retrievers and German Shepherds, But I want a small dog. Like a shih tzu or a Maltese or a schnauzer. Ooh! Or like a Pomeranian! Yeah, that's what I want. A Pomeranian."
Jesse smiled and sneezed.
"Bless you."
"Thanks."
"What kinda dog do you have? Or want."
"I don't have a dog, and I'd be happy not to have one."
"Huh!" My face must've been funny, since Jesse laughed.
"I'm not that big of an animal person... although, I've been told I am an animal..."
"I'm scared to ask... in which sense?" I whispered.
"Y'know, like... a party animal." He sneezed twice.
"Oh, I hope you're not catching a cold."
"Nah, I just forgot to take an antihistamine."
"Oh. What're you allergic to?"
"Trees, grass, hay, flowers, horses, pollen, mold..."
"So basically my family's property."
"Pretty much. In spring, that's when my allergies are the worst."
"Mine, too."
"What're you allergic to?"
"Some sorta pollen. It comes around every few years just to torment me."
Jesse laughed and sneezed.
"Do you need something? Cause, I have, like, all the antihistamines known to mankind."
"Yes, thank you. They all work for me, so just grab one."
"Okee dokee." I went down stairs and grabbed an antihistamine.
"Becky! Whatcha doin'?" Corky asked.
"Oh. I'm, uh, just getting some Tylenol for my headache.... by the way, where is everybody?"
"Beats me." Corky shrugged, grabbed an apple, and walked away.
I shrugged and headed upstairs. I gave Jesse the pill and said, "oh, shoot. I forgot your water."
Jesse smiled and swallowed the pill dry.
"How are people able to do that? It makes no sense."
"You get a lotta spit in your mouth, stick the pill in the back of your mouth, and swallow."
"I still can't do that.... this is totally out there, but don't your parents ever wonder where you are? I mean, we've been spending all our free time together."
"Where do your parents think you are?"
"Huh? Oh, they think I'm at the mall or listening to music or with the horses."
"What music have you been listening to recently?" Jesse sneezed again.
"Bless you, And recently, I have been listening to..." I grabbed the tape and handed it to Jesse. "This."
"'Phil Spector's Wall Of Sound'." Jesse read.
"Yup. It's a collection of my very favorite Wall Of Sound songs. My Dad made it for me for my birthday." I chuckled. "I'll probably wear it out soon. What have you been listening to?"
Jesse handed the tape back. "Elvis."
"Elvis is good. I think I've got a complitation tape somewhere."
"Compilation."
"Yeah. That." Jesse and I laughed, then he sneezed.
"Bless you."