To Live Again

Chapter Three: Jesse's House

Jesse pulled up in front of the small house where Daniella lived.  She had moved in with her sister and brother-in-law after her parents died in a car accident when she was ten.  Daniella talked with Jesse about everything, but the subjects of the accident and her parents were strictly taboo.  Jesse parked his truck and walked up to the front door.  His fist was raised to knock, but before his knuckles made contact, Daniella had pulled it open.  “Hey Jesse,” she flashed him that beautiful smile, “I was just getting my shoes on,” she stated the obvious, as she had one boot on and one boot off.  “Come on in, just give me one sec.”  He followed her inside and sat on the bench by the door, and watched as she slipped on the other shoe, and bent gracefully to fix the laces.  He glanced around the inside of the house, which always seemed to smell like cinnamon and potpourri.  It was kind of cluttered and homey feeling.  There were always things out of place, like the book on the arm of the couch which was still open and face down on the last page that had been read.  Or the lap blanket that was thrown haphazardly over the back of the easy chair.  Over the counter in the kitchen, he could see that there were a few dirty dishes in the sink waiting to be washed, and a pile of mail on the counter waiting to be opened.  Just the right amount of disorder to make the home feel lived in and loved.  Unlike Jesse’s house.  Jesse’s house was practically a mansion, but it was never a home.  It was like living in a museum, where every piece of furniture cost more than the average car, and an army of house-keeping staff kept everything sterile.  You could see your reflection in the marble stairs, and if you knew what was good for you, you would not leave fingerprints on the polished banister.  His house smelled like furniture polish and the disinfectant they used to clean the floors.

Hanging out at each other’s houses was nothing new.  Before they’d had drivers licenses, they had commuted back and forth on bicycles.  Sometimes just the two of them, sometimes with Patti tagging along.  They’d always been comfortable and relaxed with each other.  Jesse felt like Daniella was the only person who really knew him, and who liked him just for him.  She wasn’t interested in his rich family, or his trust fund.  When he was with her, he could let down his guard and just BE.  But today she was fidgeting and she kept giving him funny looks.

“What’s up Danni?  Is something wrong?”

She twisted around in her seatbelt so that she could see him better.  Her face was very serious as she studied his profile.  “How come you don’t have a girlfriend, Jesse?”

Jesse tensed and felt his ears grow red.  She’d asked him that before, and he had a ready answer that was both smooth, and truthful.  “Aww Danni, you know you’ve ruined me for any other girl,” he said with a chuckle.  He always said it lightly, and she would laugh it off, but in his heart, it was the God’s honest truth.  If he couldn’t be with Daniella, he didn’t want to be with anyone.  But today she wasn’t laughing.  She was staring at him and chewing on her bottom lip.  “What about you, beautiful, why don’t you have a boyfriend?” He deflected.

She sighed and straightened in her seat.  “Because I am really, really stupid,” she mumbled under her breath, so low he almost didn’t hear her.  His brows drew together unhappily.  He turned up the long, winding drive that lead to his house.  He pushed a button on the visor to open the heated garage bay  and parked his truck next to his father’s collection of sports cars, antiques, and sport utility vehicles.  Of course Duke’s Hummer was parked in its spot too.  Just seeing it there made Jesse’s heart sink.  At least being around Duke would cheer her up.  She always lit up like a Christmas tree when his brother was around.

They walked together into the house through the back entrance that connected to the garage.  They removed their shoes so that they would not track any snow or slush over the perfect floors.  Danni stopped to greet the housekeeper.  Mrs. Gonzales loved Daniella, and always wrapped her up in a warm hug, and kissed both her cheeks whenever she came to the house.  “There you are! Ah, its been too long Chiquita!” Lupe Gonzales squeezed her and then held her away from her by her shoulders.  She looked at her with narrowed eyes. “Something is different about you.”

Daniella chuckled nervously and pulled at her hair.  “Well you know I just had a birthday, Mrs. G.  I’m 18 now.”

That was sufficient information to distract the housekeeper.  “What! How could I miss your birthday!  Jesse, you bad boy, you should have brought her over, I would have had chef make you a beautiful birthday cake!”  She clucked her tongue.  “Okay you two, get out of my kitchen, I’ve got work to do, and Angela is out with a cold.”

Jesse took Daniella by the hand and pulled her farther into the house.  The party wouldn’t start until dinner time, but he’d brought her early so that they could just hang out.  He wanted to bring her straight up to his room so he could have her to himself, but he heard voices in the entertainment room, and he knew that she would want to see Duke, so he lead her that way.   When they came to the entertainment room, Duke was sprawled on the couch, and one of his college buddies was across from him, playing video games on the Wii.  “Hey Duke, I brought Danni over for your party.”

Jesse felt Daniella stiffen beside him, and her hand squeezed his reflexively.  He repressed a sigh, and thought to himself, here we go.  Duke would say something sweet and flirtatious and Danni would melt in a puddle at his feet, as usual.  Duke glanced back at Danni, and flashed her his megawatt smile.  “Hey beautiful, I was wondering when you would come and see me.”  He stood up and sauntered over to her.  Of course Duke was every girl's fantasy, the classic tall, dark and handsome.  He had great hair, chiseled features, and the body of an underwear model.  He dressed in expensive, stylish clothes that screamed young, successful lawyer.  Jesse had the petty urge to tell Danni how much money Dad had spent to straighten Duke’s crooked teeth when he was younger.

Daniella was squeezing his hand so hard he thought his fingers would break.  Her face did not break into its usual wreath of smiles and pretty blushes the way it usually did when she was around his brother.  Instead it was very neutral, almost cold.  “Hello Duke,” she said flatly.  “I just came by to hang out with Jesse.  How is school?”

Duke grabbed her in a hug, but she didn’t hug him back.  “Ah you know, too much work and not enough play.  Shawn and I were just messing around down here with some video games, you want to join us?”

“No thanks.”

No? Jesse looked down at Daniella incredulously.  Danni never passed up an opportunity to hang around with Duke.  She probably would have shined his shoes if Duke had asked her nicely.  But today she looked up at Jesse and tipped her head, indicating that she wanted to leave the room.  Her quiet rejection had Duke scowling at the two of them as they left. 

When they were out of earshot Jesse pulled her to a stop.  “Hey, what gives?”’

She shrugged, but she wouldn’t meet his eyes.  “Nothing.  I just don’t want to play video games.  Can we just chill in your room instead?”

Jesse knew that something was up, but he didn’t push her to talk about it.  He just thanked his lucky stars that for once she seemed immune to Duke.  They went upstairs to his bedroom, which was really more like a private apartment within the huge house.  He had a sitting room and a bedroom, and a big, private bathroom.  He even had a little kitchenette in the corner.  He kept the fridge stocked with some snacks and drinks, but otherwise he hardly ever used it.  “You want a soda?”

“Yeah, sure.” She flopped down on the sofa and picked up the remote.  “Can I put on some music?”

“Go for it.”

Other teenagers might have put on the latest hits, but Danni had never been a typical teenager.  She had eclectic taste and didn’t care in the least what was trendy.  She brought up something classical.  Jesse didn’t know much about classical music, but he thought it sounded romantic and relaxing.  Danni put her hand over her chest and closed her eyes, just soaking in the music.  Jesse couldn’t help himself, he slipped out his phone and snapped a picture of her.  He saved the picture to a special file folder he had reserved for pictures of Daniella.  She patted the couch beside her, without opening her eyes.  “Come sit with me.”

He gladly sank onto the couch beside her, and handed her the bottle of soda he’d retrieved from the mini-fridge.  She twisted it open and took a sip, and made a face.  “I haven’t had soda in so long, I’d forgotten how sweet it is.”

“What do you mean, its only been like… I don’t know, a few days.” Jesse said.  Jesse, Patti and Danni had gone to the movies last weekend, and they’d all had sodas and popcorn in the theater.

“Yeah, I guess.” She replaced the cap and set it aside.  “I think I’m going to lay off the soda, its not really good for us you know?  All that sugar and crap.”

He narrowed his eyes at her.  “You aren’t on a diet again are you?”  Periodically Daniella would get really uptight about her weight, and go on some super strict diet.  It always made Jesse anxious when she would start restricting calories and obsessing about food.  She was absolutely perfect and beautiful just the way she was.

To his relief, she shook her head, “Oh no, I’m done with dieting.  Life is too short for that!”  She patted her tummy.  “They will just have to build me a bigger coffin.”

“What?” Jesse did not follow that logic, but he didn't like it.

She laughed dryly and waved away his question.  Instead she rearranged herself on the couch so that she tucked under his arm and half laying on his chest.  She practically purred with contentment as she buried her cheek into his chest.  “Wow, I’ve missed this.” She sighed.

“You have?” Jesse was confused.  They always snuggled together like this, on his couch, on her sisters couch, out in the hammock when the weather was nice.  Sometimes they even curled up on the bed together.  It was frustratingly platonic, but Jesse lived for those times.  He could hold her in his arms, and for a little while pretend to himself that they were more than friends.  He played in her hair and tried to imagine what would happen if he just told her?  What if he just told her that he loved her, and not as a friend?  What if he kissed her?  He almost groaned in frustration, as he had this inner battle every single time they were together.  Danni obviously didn’t feel the same way about him. She’d always had the hots for his brother.  If Jesse told her how he felt, things would get all awkward, then he would ruin this friendship, and he couldn’t lose her.