by Ancelli
“Mr. Williams,” he sat as Jesse left the room. “I’m Mr. Norman King. I have a few questions.”
***
Maya tossed and turned, she couldn’t sleep thinking of where Jesse could be. She rolled over to the side, and picked up her phone off the nightstand. It was after two am, and there weren’t any missed calls or voicemails. She was tempted to use the tracker on his phone, but decided against it, and placed the phone back down. Maya turned over on her back, and looked up at the ceiling, and then she heard the bedroom door open and close. Jesse walked right to the bathroom and closed the door behind him. She sat up, “he came back, he came back,” she thought while touching her chest, breathing normally again. Maya slipped out of the bed, walked to the bathroom and leaned her forehead on the door. The spray of water could be heard from the barrier. They needed to talk.
She slowly opened the door, and found that Jesse was slouched on the pull-out chair she had installed for him. His elbows rested on his legs, and his hands covered his face under the spray of water. “Jesse,” she softly called his name. “Jesse,” she raised her voice and tapped on the glass, but he didn’t hear her. Maya slowly tugged on the glass door, pulling it open, and gently touched his shoulder, startling him.
Jesse gasped. “Love, you scared me,” he looked at her with water running down his face.
“What’s wrong?” Maya asked, noticing the sadness that clouded his features. “I want you to be able to talk to me.” Her voice rattled a bit. “When you left tonight,” she sat on the toilet. “I was okay at first, but then time went by and my heart started to crumble, even though my mind was saying you would be back. Jesse, please don’t block me out.”
“I didn’t get the job,” he whispered, looking away.
“Jesse, it will be okay. We are doing fine,” she stood and took a step forward. “If you don’t get a job…”
“I’m getting a job. I will provide for this family,” he demanded. “But that’s not all that happened today.” He said looking through the glass. “Maya, I just needed some time away, you need to trust me.”
“I do.”
“You don’t, and I don’t blame you,” he leaned back in the chair, letting the water splash on his chest. “I have to rebuild your trust in me, one brick at a time.” She didn’t say anything. “I was on my way home, when I saw Pete.”
“How is he?” She knew the older man meant a lot to Jesse. He took her husband under his wing while he was on the street. Where would Jesse be if Pete had turned his back on him?
“I left him at the hospital,” he started to wash himself with the washcloth. “My friend is sick, he needs help.” Jesse told her everything that happened that night. “That’s why I was gone so late.”
“Is he going to be okay?” She asked concerned.
“I hope so, but he’s gone so long without help.”
“Pete seems like a strong, resilient man. He will make it through this. Hopefully he’ll call his sister, and she will be his rock through the long journey.” Maya leaned against the glass, watching him closely. “Are you okay?”
He gazed at her, “With you by my side I can get through anything.”
“Together,” Maya said and opened the shower door and grabbed the washcloth from his hand, and started washing his back. Her nightgown was getting wet, and Jesse started playing with her hardened nipple through the flimsy material. He slid her nightgown up her thighs, and caressed her skin.
“Maya,” his cock was rock hard now. “Where would I be without you?” He asked as his fingers played with her labia, separating them apart.
“Ahh…” she spread her legs wider as he dipped his finger in her core.
“You’re ready for me,” he said against her covered stomach.
“I’m always ready for you,” she gazed into his eyes. “Jesse,” she raised her nightgown higher up. Stepping in closer to him, she straddled his lap, placing her hands around his neck. His manhood, pushed against her stomach. “I knew you would be back,” she combed his wet locks with her fingers. “I believe in you, in us,” she leaned forward kissing his lips. “Don’t you ever think you’re less because of a set back,” she placed her forehead on his. “Those struggles are going to make us stronger for our triumphs.”
Jesse held her by her hips and lifted her up slightly. Maya stroked his cock, placing it at the entrance of her pussy. She slowly began to lower herself on his long, thick cock, and gasped, letting out a loud moan. They both paused, letting her pussy muscles relax around his shaft.
“Oh,” she closed her eyes continuing to devour his dick inch by delicious inch. Maya had control on how deep he went. Her eyes fluttered open staring at him. Jesse’s eyes were a shade darker, gazing back at her.
He wrapped his hands around her ass, and smacked it. “Fuck, love, you’re so tight and warm,” Jesse squeezed her butt cheeks. “Take it…” he devoured her mouth with passion, tasting each crease. Their tongues played a game of tug of war, making love to each other as she grinded down, and Jesse thrust up. “Fuck…” he said into her mouth. “Woman, I love you…” he gritted his teeth.
Maya’s chest heaved up and down. “Yes… yes…” Jesse’s thrusts became faster as he felt her inner muscles contracting around him. “I love you…” The scarf around her head started to untie, and he slipped it from her head letting it fall on the shower floor.
“Come for me,” he moaned, continuing to thrust into her.
Maya clamped her pussy down and his shaft rubbed against her clit, making her burst into ecstasy. “Oh God… yes… yes,” she bit his shoulder, making him groan deep in his throat.
His jaw clenched and the veins in his neck strained, “I’m coming, love,” the muscles in his arms tensed and bulged as he gripped her hip, holding her down on his cock as he pistoned into her. Maya’s pussy muscles clamped down on his penis and milked him until he came deep into her with a loud grunt.
Maya lay her head on his shoulders still coming down from her own climax. His cock was still buried inside of her. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he held onto her. Maya squeezed her kegel muscles and her chest started heaving as she had another orgasm. “Oh Jesse!”
Jesse kissed the side of her neck, “You made me come again,” his cock jerked inside of her.
“This…” he said out of breath. “Is where I belong.”
Maya smiled, kissing his chest. “Yes, right here,” she chuckled squeezing his dick with her pussy. “With me.”
“Stop…” Jesse laughed, slowly pulling out. “It’s sensitive.” He pulled her soaked nightgown over her head, and dropped it on the floor.
Jesse and Maya sat there for a few minutes, before washing each other. They stepped out of the shower, dried off, and got dressed for bed. “You are my life, I’m here to stay.”
***
"Hi," Bella grinned holding Jesse's hand as they entered Pete's hospital room.
"Hi, peanut," an older woman waved, and another lady smiled wide.
Bella held on to Jesse’s leg, and tilted her head, watching the women and Pete. “Baby pick up,” she extended her arms. He was about to bend down to pick up his little girl, when Pete said his name.
"Jesse, this is-" before Pete could say another word, one of the ladies rushed over to him and wrapped her arms around Jesse.
"Thank you for giving me back my dad." she whispered in his ear. "Thank you," She continued to hug him.
"You’re welcome," Jesse patted her back with his free hand, never letting go of little bit. Pete didn’t mention having a daughter.
Pete’s daughter reared back, "I haven't seen him in over twenty years."
Bella looked up with her lips pouting, “My daddy.”
“Yes,” the lady laughed, looking down at Bella. “Your dad.”
"Jesse, this is my sister Annie Mae, and my daughter Gwen," he smiled. "Is that your baby girl?"
"Yes," he smiled, picking Bella up in his arms. Jesse’s heart raced as he stared at Pete's daughter, and he
could see the resemblance. Pete missed out on twenty years of his daughter's life. That could've been Jesse and Bella, he realized and squeezed his little girl’s hand and kissed her forehead. "Princess this is daddy's friend, Pete."
"Hi, daddy friend," Bella cackled.
"Hi, sweetheart," Pete smiled. "I remember when Gwen was that tiny."
"That was three and a half decades ago," Gwen chuckled. "I still have the picture of the two of us at Disney. Do you remember, Dad?"
Pete stared at Gwen and then at Annie Mae. He looked confused, "Who are you?"
Gwen took a couple of strides over to her father's bedside. Her eyes swam with tears, "Daddy, it's Gwen," she took Pete's hand in hers. "It's your little girl," she kissed his knuckles.
"My little girl," he mumbled. “You’re so grown.”
"Yes, Pete that’s Gwenie," Annie Mae softly said. "Take a nap," she softly caressed his face. “We will be here when you wake up.”
Jesse didn't know what to say.
"We're taking my dad home to Chicago with us." Gwen said. "He will get the care he needs."
"He will be surrounded by family," Annie Mae added. "Twenty years is too long to be alone in this cold world," She kissed Pete on his forehead. "Jesse, there is no way I can repay you for giving my brother back to us."
"There is," Jesse said. "Be very patient, and love him like he deserves to be. He's been through a lot in the last eighteen years. It's going to be a hard transition for him and you, but don't give up on Pete. He's a hero," he stared at his old friend. "Pete, you were wrong they do care."
Gwen smiled, "Daddy was and will always be my hero."
Chapter Thirteen
"Santa is coming to town." Bella sang and danced to the Christmas music blasting through the grocery store, as Maya pushed her in the shopping cart down the cereal aisle. "Fruity," she pointed at her favorite cereal. Maya and Jesse decided to meet at the grocery store for lunch. They were a weird couple, she knew it, but it worked for them.
Maya picked up a box, and when she looked down the aisle she saw Richard with his arms around a woman. She turned around trying to sneak away. "Let's go find Daddy." Maya was happy to see he’d started dating again. Richard was a good man; she knew he would make someone very happy.
"K," Bella leaned her head to the side, and waved at the couple she was trying to avoid. "Hi."
Why did Bella always have to say hi to everyone she saw? They had to teach their daughter not to be so friendly.
"Hey," a lady's voice said from behind her. "You have a beautiful baby."
Maya sighed, and twisted around with a fake smile. "Thank you."
Richard's eyes widened as soon as he saw her. It had been almost five months since she last spoke to him. "Maya," his lips curled up. "How have you been?" he studied her daughter.
"Great," she answered, looking at both of them. She was waiting for him to introduce his girlfriend.
"Is this Bella?" he asked, stepping closer to her cart. "Your mommy used to talk about you all the time."
Bella’s eyebrows drew together staring at him, and then she smiled. “Merry Christmas.”
“Same to you, sweetie,” Richard looked around, “So, is your husband with you?”
His girlfriend cleared her throat. "Richard."
"Oh, Maya," he pointed at the woman. "This is my friend Christie."
"Friend?" Christie cocked her eyebrow. "Hi, Maya. How do you two know each other?" she inquired.
"We met through mutual friends," Maya just wanted to go find her husband and leave.
Christie stared at her through narrowed eyes, but tried to mask it with a fake smile. "It was nice meeting you," she took his hand in hers, making Maya smirk. She didn't want her man, she had her own.
"Maya!" Jesse yelled her name from another aisle. So childish.
"Daddy, here!" Bella squealed.
Maya shook her head as Jesse turned the corner with a full shopping cart. "There you are." He strolled closer to them. “Babe, we have to hurry up. I have to take bubbles to daycare,” he pinched her cheeks.
“Stop, Daddy,” Bella giggled, hitting his hand.
“No hitting,” Maya tapped her little hand, making her frown and cross her arms over her chest.
She was about to cry when Jesse rubbed her back, “It’s okay, princess.”
“Really,” Maya shook her head, giving him and Bella the eye, he was spoiling her. Jesse moved from the cart closer to Maya.
“I have to get ready for my interview,” He reminded her. “Are we done?” Richard stared at Jesse, sizing him up.
Her lips curled forgetting that Richard and his girlfriend were there. “I’m done.”
Christie pulled Richard, but he didn't budge. His face scrunched up in disgust. "You," and then he laughed. "You're fucking the homeless guy. You left me for a low life bum," he pointed at Jesse.
People around them glanced and continued their way.
"Watch how you speak in front of my daughter," Jesse warned him.
"Bye, Richard," Maya didn't want things to escalate, so she turned to leave, and Richard grabbed her arm.
Jesse pushed him away, "Don't you ever put your hands on my wife," he made sure he raised his voice when he said my wife.
Maya grabbed Jesse’s bicep, keeping him grounded. “Babe, let’s go. Bye, Richard.” Bella waved her hand.
“It’s okay, love, I got this,” he kissed Maya’s cheek, and then stepped forward invading Richard’s personal space. "Yes it was me on that corner holding up a sign, but I'm not the same guy today," his voice was harsh. "Don't get it twisted, I'm no bum. Keep away from Maya." Jesse tapped her ass, and placed his hand on his cart. "We need bread."
Maya smiled, that's her Jesse. Bella continued singing her little lungs out as Maya pushed the cart down the aisle.
“Did you say your wife?” Richard said in shock, taking Christie’s hands off his arm.
Jesse turned back around, “I didn’t stutter. Maya’s my wife, stay away if you know what’s good for you,” he pushed his cart, stopping to pick up another box of cereal. “Babe, wait up.”
***
Jesse dropped baby girl at the daycare, and went home and put away the groceries. He took a quick shower, and grabbed the suit Maya purchased for him. She said it would bring him good luck. Now he sat tapping his fingers on his lap waiting to be called as he looked around the room. He was the only one seated in the waiting area. The white walls were simple, with pictures of war heroes and military forces scattered about. He looked in the office in front of him, and he saw cubicles and could hear phones going off, like as if it were a call center. Sandra set him up with this interview, and he didn’t know much about the position he was interviewing for, but any job was good at the moment. He trusted Sandra, and Jesse knew she had his best interest at heart. His phone rang, and he dug into his pocket and smiled when he saw Maya’s beautiful face on his screen. He swiped his finger against it, and answered.
“I just wanted to say good luck,” her heavenly voice made his heart skip a beat. After all these years she still had that affect on him.
“Thank you.” This was his sixth interview since he returned. He hoped he had better luck with this one than he had with the last five. They each called him back and said they were sorry, but they went with a more qualified person.
“Mr. Jesse Harvey,” the secretary said looking at him. “Mr. King is ready for you.”
“Love, I have to go.” He stood fixing his tie.
“Bye, love you…” she rushed those words.
He placed the phone in his pocket and followed the secretary in the office. A tall muscular man stood, and extended his arm. “Good afternoon, Mr. Harvey,” he shook his hand.
“Good afternoon,” Jesse was nervous.
“Have a seat.” Mr. King pointed at the leather chair as he sat too.
Jesse sat in the chair in front of his desk. The older lady stepped out of the office, and closed the door.
“Mr. Harvey,” Mr.
King entwined his hands and leaned forward. “Tell me a little bit about yourself.” The man looked familiar, shit it was the same man that kicked him out Pete’s room.
Jesse glanced over at the man’s desk thinking of what to say, when he saw a thick government file with his name on it. What the hell? That was a pretty big file, it had to have all his medical history in it. “I’m sure you know everything there is to know about me, sir,” he stared at the file a little pissed. Who gave them permission to access his information?
“But I want to hear it from you,” Mr. King picked up the file, and then dropped it on the wooden surface. “This is paperwork, documents, I want to hear what you have to say. What makes you the right candidate for this job?”
Jesse didn’t know what to say. He didn’t even know what position he was referring to. Sandra just said to show up looking his best. She set me up. He had a session with her later that day, and he was going to let her have it for making him look like a damn fool. He was about to get up. “I’m sorry for wasting your time,” Jesse slowly stood.
“Mr. Harvey, Mrs. Valle spoke very highly of you,” Mr. King picked up a cane and stood. “She sent over your qualifications and certifications. I see you have a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree, but you haven’t worked in over four years, that doesn’t help. She believes in you. Now I need you to make me believe in you. I’m looking for someone to direct one of the city’s homeless shelters.”
Jesse sat back down, and stared at the man in front of him. Now he understood what Sandra meant when she said, one day he would be able to help others who were in his same place. “Because I’ve been there,” he whispered.
Mr. King leaned on his desk, “Say again?”
“I know what it’s like to be homeless.” All the memories hit Jesse at once. The nights he was freezing, the days he thought he was going to die from a heat stroke. He built his confidence up, and sat up straight. He had nothing to be embarrassed about. “I’m a wounded sailor, who suffered through a lot and I couldn’t handle everything that was thrown at me at once. However, in the end I’m standing tall. I’m the best for this position because I know what those people have been through, and how they want to be treated. No one should feel like they are less because of a circumstance they might be in. They need someone who will uplift and help them. Letting them know that their life isn’t over, because they are in a bad place, it can get better with help. I would seek counseling for the ones that need it, and if they are veterans I will contact the VA and see what we can do for them. Find a program that is better suited, take them out of the dark place they may be in. Everyone’s story is different. Mine just happened to have a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,” Jesse smirked. He knew he didn’t get the job, but he didn’t care. There were more employers, and he would continue knocking on doors until one finally opened.
