Jesse's Girl

Copyright© 2023 by Rottweiler

Description: Socially awkward Jesse, never imagined he would ever talk to a girl, much less go on a date with one. Imagine his surprise when he finds himself smitten by a divinely beautiful girl named Maia who happens to be the material Avatar of the Earth Goddess Gaia. Their budding romance quickly kindles into a magical relationship born of each others dependence upon the other. Let the miracles commence!

Tags: Minimal Sex, Ma/Fa, Consensual, Romantic, Gay, Lesbian, Fiction, High Fantasy, Magic, Slow

Published: 2023-10-12

Updated: 2023-12-24

Size: 44,341 Words

Cast

Jesse Latoure
Maia—Jesse’s girlfriend
Linda DempseyMorales—Mother
Tina Marie Morales—Stepsister
Freddy Latoure—Jesse’s Father
Frank Latoure—Jesse’s Uncle
Vincent Latoure—Jesse’s Grandpa
Juan Ramirez—Frank’s partner
Xavier Ramirez—Juan’s son

Prologue

Jesse Latoure stood 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 197 pounds. He had unruly brown hair that fell to his shoulders and light blue eyes. He looked quite young for his 18 years and had an athlete’s physique, even though he never participated in high school sports. He got his height and build from his father Freddy and his quiet introspective nature from his mother, Linda. He was born and raised in Stockton, California, and developed an aptitude and affinity for all things mechanical or automotive — by hanging out with his Grandpa Vincent at his wrecking yard.

His father Freddy was a troubled man who led a violent and dysfunctional life which eventually put him on the wrong side of the law. He was now serving life at the California State Prison in Sacramento for aggravated assault, extortion, racketeering, and grand theft. Incarcerated when Jesse was only 7, his mother Linda eventually won a divorce on the grounds of abandonment.

Rebounding carelessly, she wound up pregnant once more (with TM) and married a man who abandoned her in the night. Wracked by depression and self-loathing, Linda became a shell of her former self and was medicated into oblivion, for whatever ailment du jour her providers dreamed up. Their latest contrived diagnosis was fibromyalgia, for which they effectively drugged her into the stone age.

Because of his uncanny intellect, he found school to be unchallenging, and many of his Advanced Prep teachers mistook his boredom for a bad attitude. His counselors tried to rein his callous outlook and encourage him to pursue academic scholarships, but with no father figure and a single mother who was detached at best, he chose to pursue other interests. He avoided the social norms — not because he was a rebel or degenerate — he was simply driven by interests other than popular acceptance, academic excellence, or trendy fellowship. It was not due to ambition that he achieved the highest marks, but rather the gift of an eidetic — near photographic memory. Jesse immersed himself in vocational pursuits like autobody, small engine repair, wood shop, and computer labs.

He lived with his mother and 11-year-old half-sister Tina Marie, or TM for short. Their home in the suburbs was a single-level unit with three bedrooms, a single-car garage, and a detached shop that Jesse essentially lived in. With plumbed-in water and a toilet, he converted the back of the shop into a cozy little apartment that served his needs.

His uncle Frank took over the huge wrecking yard outside of town when Jesse’s grandfather retired and moved to Sacramento. Grandpa Latoure wasn’t wealthy in a grand sense but was well off enough that he set aside a trust fund for Jesse that would become available to him when he turned 21—provided he graduated high school and met other certain requirements. A monthly stipend was provided to his mom to help with his upkeep — not that his needs were great. Food and clothes were essentially all he required aside from his ‘rent’, which the allowance more than paid for. He also took care of all the home and yard maintenance for the family and made every attempt to help his sister with school, transportation, and after-school activities when their mom was unable to, because of her failing health.

Free of financial obligations, he was able to earn and keep what money he could. With standing agreements for maintaining many of the yards in his neighborhood and the occasional repair job, Jesse was able to save funds, which he kept stashed away for immediate access. As a gifted airbrush artist, he was often called upon to decorate the odd motorcycle tank or provide auto pinstriping.

Fortune smiled on him last January, before his graduation during one of his frequent ventures to the wrecking yard. Several times a week he made the journey just to spend time hanging out with Uncle Frank and his two employees. Juan Ramirez and his son Xavier had worked in the yard since his grandfather had started it up with just a single tow truck and a 5-acre plot. That was over 40 years ago, and the yard had since grown to over 30 acres with a fleet of tow trucks that handled any vehicle that drove the highways, from smart cars to semis. Jesse spent many hours, crawling through the thousands of wrecks, helping retrieve parts, inventory, and part out the cars, trucks, motorcycles — even the occasional aircraft. He had long since memorized every vehicle and could recall any model by location or type instantly, making him an asset to the family business. With every visit, he would quickly recognize any new additions and scour them for pertinent items of interest before filing them away in his memory.

It was during one of these visits that he stumbled across the old rusted-out carcass of a motorcycle. Beside it was a detached but matching sidecar. He recognized it as a very old Norton, and he felt his throat tighten with anticipation as he checked out the bike and the pile of old parts that lay about it or were piled haphazardly into the chassis of the sidecar. It took him but a few heartbeats to recognize he was in love at first sight and had to have it. Rushing to the office he burst in gasping for breath, “When did that old Norton come in?”

The 3-way game of dominos paused, and he saw the elder Ramirez smirk knowingly at his Uncle Frank who was leaning back from the card table on two chair legs, chewing absently on a toothpick. Xavier chuckled and shook his head, “that didn’t take long.”

Jesse looked from one face to the next, waiting for a response. He had a sinking feeling that something was up, and he was the brunt of it.

Finally, with a tsk, Frank sucked loudly on the toothpick and gently dropped the front legs of his chair to the floor. “That old bike? Heck, just a couple days ago wurnt it Remi?” his raspy voice suggested a long history of smoking filter-less cigarettes and cigars. Despite the thinning gray hairs that stuck to his greasy scalp and the dark leathery skin of his face, his aged appearance conflicted with two bright blue eyes that reflected youth and wisdom. They betrayed a subtle sense of humor as he glanced about and winked at the ancient Latino beside him.

“Showed up in a dump truck,” Juan added with that easy smile that rarely left his face, “theenk eet was a fren to abuelo (your grandpa). He show up Friday and jes dump eet an go.” His thick voice butchered every word he spoke, but he still conveyed himself with a certain eloquence.

Jesse rocked excitedly from foot to foot trying to appear nonchalant as he chose his next words carefully, “So ... umm. What year do y’all think it is? Early 40’s? Kinda looks military.” He chewed on his lower lip and glanced about the office nervously.

“Dunno son,” Uncle Frank always referred to him as ‘son’, “I think you may be close. Ain’t no title or paperwork. Might be a plate or something on the chassis. Haven’t rightly taken the time to check.”

Seeing an opening, Jesse took a shaky breath and went for it, “Well I guess I could look through all the parts and try to figure out what it is.” He met the piercing eyes of his uncle and gulped nervously. “Umm. Did you have any plans for...” his words faltered and he stood quietly, his every twitch broadcasting his nervous excitement and trepidation. An awkward quiet filled the room, interrupted only by the old oscillating fan that squeaked to, and fro as it pushed about the muggy air.

Suddenly he noticed Xavier slowly drooping his face with his eyes pinched tightly shut. It was his quaking shoulders that gave him away and burst the suspense of the moment. With a snort, Uncle Frank glared at the younger man and shook his head with disgust. Then he chuckled softly and was quickly joined by Remi’s gravelly barking laugh. Xav’s louder peal of laughter drowned them all out as he rocked back in his chair and rose to his feet. “Ah! That was awesome!” he laughed wiping a tear from his eye.

Jesse let his mouth fall open as he frowned at the 3 grinning chuckleheads. “What? What is so ... funny?”

“You! Mijo!” Xav howled, “You shoulda’ seen your face! It was priceless!”

Jesse’s face grew darker as he glared at them. He was used to being the butt of jokes, but he still didn’t enjoy being laughed at.

“Relax Jesse. The bike is yours,” Uncle Frank said coyly, “it will take a lot of work, but Dad thinks you’re up to the task. Consider it an early graduation gift from...”

“Yes!” Jesse jumped wildly in the air whooping and bolted for the door. It slammed shut on its springs and the three men heard a belated, “Thank you!” as he raced back to the bike. It turned out to be a 1938 Norton Big Four Model 1. The detached sidecar was in better shape than the bike itself. He discovered that many of the parts were extras and that the main chassis was nearly complete. All three tires were shot but there was a spare rim and extra leaf springs and disc shocks located in the side car. He would have to take it completely apart, inspect everything, and try to find new tires. The bottom panel of the sidecar was rusted out and the rear fender was bent and twisted. It was going to take a ton of work and fabrication to fix it up, not to mention filing the paperwork for the lost title. But the old rusted-out chassis and pile of parts was like a treasure chest of gold and jewels to the eager young man. With Xavier’s help, he got it all loaded into the back of one of the trucks and hauled back to his apartment/shop. Xav even let him drive.

Chapter 1: Iroquois Tears

California highway traffic was terrible at the best of times. But midafternoon wasn’t too bad, and Jesse found it easy to navigate as he made the pleasant trip to the Hobby Lobby downtown. His conveyance was his recently rebuilt Norton motorcycle with the attached sidecar occupied by his BFF Fug. Fug was a blue and fawn-colored mutt of a mixed breed. Predominantly English mastiff with traces of Great Dane and some Shepard mixed in. Fug stood for Fugly or fucking ugly. But despite his less-than-charismatic appearance, Fug was an easygoing fellow that got on well with most and simply ignored the rest. He loved riding in the sidecar — though it was a tight fit. Jesse wore a scratched-up, but serviceable old black half helmet and thick round goggles. Fug tolerated the yellow-tinted bubble goggles his owner tailored to fit him. Nothing could contain the sloppy tongue that hung from his face as they motored down the road. They took their time in the right lane, ignoring the stares of motorists who zipped around them. For his part, Jesse wore a pair of faded jeans, old boots, and an old unlined army surplus jacket. He covered his thick unruly hair with a blue bandana beneath his scratched-up black half helmet.

Arriving at the hobby store, Jesse parked by the entrance and went inside after leaving Fug with the unnecessary order to stay put. Heading back to the paints, he searched the aisles fruitlessly for a shade of blue that he had run out of and alas, so had the store. Frustrated, he contemplated his options and glanced through the inventory. Nothing met his fancy, so he left and sat atop the Norton sighing with disappointment. A pair of bikers thundered into the parking lot and pulled up next to him. One was an older fellow with long gray hair, a spotty beard, and old tattoos from his wrists to his neck. The other bike carried a similarly dressed younger guy and his glammed-up biker gal. All eschewed helmets for bandanas and all wore ‘American Steel’ riding vests. After shutting down their rides the quiet seemed oppressive, broken by the bored pants of Fug who glanced up at the trio with passive interest.

“Sup man, that’s one bad-assed ride you got there,” the oldest spoke. He reached tentatively over to be sniffed by the giant dog, then proceeded to pat him with a fingerless gloved hand. “Norton, right?”

Jesse stood casually and nodded, glancing back and forth among them. “‘38. Just finished getting it put together last month. I still need to detail her, but the important part is done.” He kept glancing back at the woman who struck him as a little old but strikingly beautiful with black hair and sharp angular features. She reminded him of Cher.

“Did you do it yourself? That must’ve been quite a project,” asked the younger guy, who introduced himself as Chris.

“I did. My grandpa gave her to me as a graduation present. It did take me 4 months, but I was obsessed with it and honestly would do it all over again if I could.”

The woman, Dolly, spoke as she smacked her gum. Her voice was high-pitched and nasal. “You ain’t graduated! You’re just a kid. Right?” Jesse didn’t like her tone.

Before he could reply, the oldest cut her down. “Mind yer own Doll. This is men’s talk,” he winked back at Jesse, “you did a beautiful job with it. Congrats. When are you gonna paint her?”

Jesse shrugged, “I dunno. Depends on how I decide to go. The classic military would be easier, but I’d like to maybe go more contemporary. I’d need to chrome the fenders and wheels and such, though. I’m good with an airbrush but the chrome...” he lifted his shoulders, “I was actually here for some paint for another job, a tribal piece for a Grand AM hood. But they don’t have the shade of blue I need.” He glanced back at the lady again and despite his misgivings, he found himself staring at her fingernails of all things. Were they turquoise? Teal?

Holding out his hand the older guy said, “I’m Mike. I can hook you up with a good chrome shop when the time comes. Let me give you, my number.” He pulled out a cell phone.

Jesse looked down briefly and then reached into the sidecar past Fug’s torso, “I don’t have a cell. Here let me write it down,” producing a pad and pen, he jotted down the number Mike shared. “Thanks a lot. That is great to know. I’m still new at this rebuilding stuff.” He glanced back at her nails again.

“No problem, Jesse. It was good to meet you. I hope we cross paths again.” Mike settled back onto his ride and put his shades back on.

“Excuse me, ma’am?” Jesse stammered as the black-haired Dolly turned her head and stared at him coolly, “can I see your nails?” After he asked, he felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. She raised her eyebrows at him and glanced at her bewildered partner before she reached out to him and spread her fingers.

Ignoring his flushing cheeks Jesse leaned forward and studied the iridescent blue-green. He swallowed and glanced up at her nervously. “Um. Those are nice. That is exactly the color I am looking for.” He saw her face change from astonishment to wonder. “A ... um. What color is this and where did you get it?” he stammered, “if you don’t mind?”

“Well thank you sugar,” she replied with a grin, “I don’t know what it’s called but I had my nails done at Gorgi’s in the Mall.” She smacked her gum again and further conversation was lost in the noise of both bikes starting up at the same time.

Jesse watched the group ride off with a wave and then considered this information. Looking around he spotted an Ulta Cosmetics across the parking lot. What did he have to lose?

Leaving his helmet on and pulling his goggles up onto it, he stepped up to the automatic doors and entered the store. He was instantly assaulted by the overwhelming scent of perfume. Or perfumes. It made his eyes water as he stopped and looked around. A very pretty girl in her early twenties approached him and smiled radiantly. “Hello! Welcome to Ulta. How can I help you?”

Jesse shifted uncomfortably and felt himself remembering his awkward encounters with the girls in high school. He swallowed nervously and glanced about, “I’m um ... looking for your nail polishes.” He felt his face flushing again. Of course ... this was California, so he was probably considered quite normal for asking.

“Of course! You will find them right over there past the Hair products. Just walk past the information kiosk and turn to your right,” she pointed with her entire arm, and he thanked her as he stepped away.

Finding the nail polishes quickly he immediately bent over the counter and began scrutinizing the hundreds of color choices. He sensed the approach of the salesperson across the counter from him, but he was too absorbed in his quest to look up.

“Can I help you find something you like?” asked a musical voice.

He continued to survey the rows upon rows of nail colors for another few seconds. Not wanting to appear rude he gestured to the wide range of blues. “Um. Sort of turquoisey and teal mixed, with an iridescent finish,” he mumbled as he studied the colors before him.

A soft musical giggle. “Turquoisey huh? And teal?” The mirth in her voice was disarming, and he nodded eagerly without looking up.

“Yeah! Exactly. I just saw it on someone else’s nails, and she said she had them done in the mall. I was hoping you would have something like it here.” He squinted his eyes and leaned further over the counter to get a closer look.

A small delicate hand with bright clashing nails appeared in his field of vision and reached under the glass for a very close comparison to what he wanted. “How about this one? Iroquois tears,” her voice was so ... enchanting.

“Er ... Maybe. Let me...” he reached out looking up at the same time ... and froze. His eyes widened in astonishment; his heart lurched, and his mouth went suddenly dry as he gazed at the beautiful vision before him. ‘Wow! Her eyes were so green! How could they be that green?’ He was too stunned even to gasp as he blinked repeatedly. ‘Oh God! She can’t be real! It’s magic.’

She stood barely 5 feet, yet every inch of her was beautiful beyond words. Her small oval face was framed perfectly in bright red hair cut short and cropped pixie-like. Small, hooped earrings dangled from her ears supporting tiny bells that chimed so softly, they were barely heard. A small stud pierced her left nostril and lent an eloquent almost fae accent to her already elfin features. Her small mouth with lips painted a soft rosy tint, formed a bright smile that sent tremors through his body. A sky-blue tank top with an Egyptian print adorned her chest and supported her small but perfectly sized breasts. She wore no bra as evidenced by her slightly protruding nipples. A peak of tanned skin appeared beneath her shirt and disappeared below the counter.

Moments loomed into hours, as he stood before her managing only to open and close his mouth before she raised a single eyebrow most provocatively and asked, “Well?”

“Um.” his mind was blank. He struggled to regain his composure, but she had robbed him of all thought. Her smile got even brighter as she beamed knowingly back at him. She took a patient slow breath and hummed to herself as she reached forward with her empty hand. She snapped her fingers right in front of his face and he started, blinking, and breaking the spell.

“Hello,” she called softly in that sweet musical voice. Her grin was radiant and in no way off-putting.

He gulped nervously and nodded his head vigorously. “Uh. Yes, I think that is just what I need,” he looked back down at the small bottle and frowned, “Um. How many do you have?”

Her eyes widened and she giggled unexpectedly. “Just how much do you need?”

Focused once again, Jesse studied the bottle before him. “This is about, what, 13 ml?” he asked.

She nodded beaming, “13.5 to be precise. Very Good,” she leaned forward at looked deeply into his eyes. Her fragrance struck him, and he couldn’t place it. He thought of the cool outdoors, a soft breeze blowing through a forest of aromatic trees. He almost froze again but she saved him. “What exactly are you doing with it?”

He blinked and took a breath. “Actually, um. I need it for detailing the hood of a ‘78 Grand Am.”

She giggled again and shook her head. “Are you serious? How do you even know how much you will need?”

“Well, I will thin it for my airbrush, so I can make do with about 30-40 ml,” he explained, “can you brush a small sample on something for me? So, I can see how it dries.”

She was laughing now, and her mirth was infectious. He felt totally at ease around her for some reason, and she eagerly agreed, shaking the bottle vigorously. “Airbrush huh? That makes sense I suppose,” she giggled again as she twisted the cap off, “I was trying to imagine you painting your design with tiny, little brush strokes,” she demonstrated by placing her left hand flat on the counter and delicately applying a steady coat of the teal/turquoise over her middle nail.

Jesse watched her with rapt attention and found himself leaning closer over the counter as she worked. She expertly placed the brush back into the bottle and tightened the cap. She raised the damp nail and blew gently on it before reaching towards him for his inspection. “Hard to do that with an airbrush, eh?” she prompted.

Jesse studied the drying nail closely and shrugged, “You would be surprised. I could blow your mind with an airbrush,” he replied softly as he gauged the iridescence in the finish.

“Oh really? That sounds like a challenge I might take you up on,” she replied with an even bigger smile.

He was focused on her fingertip and missed the suggestion. “I’m always up for a challenge,” he scoffed in response.

“Fine! Let’s go mister airbrush man...”

He blinked and looked up into her lovely smiling face. His confusion was evident. “Wha?”

She pulled back her hand and bent over the counter to retrieve 3 more bottles. “You heard me, let’s go. Buy your nail polish and show me what you got. You have a car?”

‘Oh God! She is serious. She can’t be serious?’ he had never in his life picked up a girl and the thought of it simply defied logic, ‘could she?’

After a moment of awkward silence, she once again drew him back to reality by softly clearing her throat.

“I’m sorry. What did you ask?” he stammered.

“I asked if you have a car?” she smirked at him with a knowing look.

“Um. No ... actually. I have a bike.”

That raised eyebrow again. “A bicycle?”

‘Oh God!’ He groaned inwardly at how stupid he felt. “No!” he exclaimed. With a breath, he explained that it was in fact, a motorcycle with a sidecar. She became excited and bubbly, but he raised his hand “Um, actually the sidecar is already taken.” He cringed at her disappointment. “But you can ride behind me!” he blurted in desperation. She brightened and appeared to consider his offer. He realized he didn’t mention his passenger and smirked. She noticed and looked at him expectantly.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing.” he beamed back at her, “nothing at all. So, are you coming or what?”

Her eyes narrowed as she pondered his sudden behavior. Then she snatched up the bottles and strode over to the register, beckoning him to follow. She bent her nose as she rang up the charge and stared at him as he paid her, with a silly grin. She bagged the bottles and handed them to him. Their fingers touched and Jesse gasped as he felt a static-like impulse flash from their contact.

“Wait here, I’ll be right back,” she said with a sweet smile. She turned away and darted back into a small cubicle. She returned with a small bag with back straps. With no hesitation, she placed her right arm into his left and glanced up at him with a glorious smile. “Lead on.” He noticed that the rest of her outfit consisted of a pair of short cut-offs. Her feet were bare.

“So, you are okay just walking out of work?” he asked.

“Oh, sure. My aunt manages the store, and I help her out just to stay busy. She is used to me coming and going all the time.”

Exiting the store, she halted in mid-step as she spotted the ancient motorcycle with the sidecar full of ... She squealed in delight and jumped up and down excitedly. “Oh, Goddess! He’s amazing!” she cried out with delight and rushed up to Fug and embracing him in a crushing hug. Jesse was amazed at Fug’s simple acceptance. He even gave her a good-natured lick across the face which caused another delightful squeal and a return kiss of her own.

“Lucky dog,” he muttered.

“I heard that,” she replied grinning at him with eyes full of mischief.

“Here, you can wear my helmet, and I will keep the goggles,” Jesse said, removing his cap and handing it to her. While she strapped it on, he helped Fug with his ‘fish eyes,’ prompting another laugh. Once he was seated, he helped her climb on behind him. She eagerly wrapped her arms around him and gave him a tentative squeeze. He lifted his foot to kick start and then hesitated.

“Um...” he was suddenly at a loss for words.

“Yes?” she asked encouragingly.

“I um ... don’t know your name,” he confessed, “I’m Jesse.”

She produced another wonderful giggle and squeezed him again. “Hi, Jesse. I am Maia.”

“Hi, Maia.” Satisfied, he stomped on the starter and the Norton rumbled to life. Fug barked excitedly and looked up at them with a stupid grin and his tongue lolling out. “Here we go.”

---

It only took 20 minutes to reach his home and they spoke little, on the way. Once he parked outside his shop, he helped Maia disembark and relieved Fug of his goggles so that he could wander off and take care of business.

Welcoming her into his ‘home’ he invited her to look around while he put up his paints and assembled his airbrush equipment. When she rejoined him, he had her sit in his comfortable recliner. He placed a towel across her lap and positioned her hands where he could work.

“So, what colors would you like?” he prompted her, “any patterns or themes you have in mind?” He inspected the loud random colors she currently had and decided they would make a suitable base coat for his work. His touch was soft, and he held her fingertips like they were delicate.

She leaned forward eagerly, “I give you creative license to impress me — what do you think?” she had a way of pursing her lips that revealed cute dimples on either cheek.

He considered for a moment, “I think we will go for the abstract. Since you have already gone random with your existing colors, I think I will do the same. Each nail will have a different theme,” he touched her right pinky, “this one I’ll do in greens and blues with a floral pattern. This one,” he indicated her ring finger, “will be more green hues with a forest theme.” He went on to describe how he would paint each nail and each theme — winter with a snowflake, Fall with red/brown leaves, etc.

She stared at him with a mixture of wonder and disbelief. When he began, she was completely enthralled. Gone was the nervous, introverted boy — in his place a confident, and focused artist. As he finished her right hand with clear coats, she stared at her nails with amazement. “How can you do such fine detail like that?” she asked softly.

He held up the micro airbrush and pointed out the various nozzles he used. “This is designed for folks who detail little things like model cars and trains. What I am doing is quite basic and I’m freehanding it so I can be more abstract. Give me a jeweler’s eyepiece and stencils and I can get even more detailed,” he said without boasting.

Maia looked at her finished nails in wonder. The leaves, trees, snowflakes, flowers, and seashells looked so well-defined. “Wow! You could make a lot of money doing this Jesse.”

He paused and glanced up at her, “I don’t know, I imagine it would get old pretty quick. But maybe for a select few clients,” he grinned at her knowingly, “speaking of which ... what is in this for me?” he looked back down as he was preparing her left hand.

“Well...” she started with a thoughtful pause, “maybe you will get a girlfriend out of the deal.”

His entire body jerked with surprise as he realized what she said. All thought left him once again as he struggled to contemplate her words. He swallowed nervously and glanced up ever so briefly to find her staring directly at him. Those blazing green eyes peered straight into his soul. Her lips curved into that delightfully innocent smile. It almost appeared that she held her breath as she awaited his response.

He swallowed again and nervously cleared his throat as he focused intently on her delicate fingers. “Um. Uh yes ... Uh. Th — that, that would be nice,” he managed and then surrendered his turmoiled brain to the blissful abandon of pure creative focus once again. If he had looked up, he would have noticed her chest heave with sudden exhalation and her smile grow even wider. Softly she began humming a light melody as he worked and admired the finished nails of her right hand.

Shortly thereafter, he was done. He had mirrored the images from her right hand to her left. She sat and stared at them with wonder while he quietly cleared and stored his equipment.

“You are so amazing!” she said with barely a whisper.

“Thank you. That was fun. Next time we will do your toes,” he glanced at her pretty bare feet.

“Oh, you are on, boyfriend,” she bounced into his arms and held him while he was hunched over, kissing him on the cheek, “thank you for this. I can’t wait to show them off!”

He blushed as he rose to his full height, aware that she hadn’t released her hold on him. “Um. Would you like to see what I’m doing with the car hood?”

“Oh yes please,” she agreed eagerly.

He took her over to a small drafting table where he had sketched out a rough layout. It was very tribal and represented the Orca as its central theme. “I will be using the turquoise for highlighting and detailing all these areas,” he pointed them out and she nodded. Just seeing what he could do freehand with little forethought—she knew it would be amazing when he finished.

---

Part of his routine every morning was to go into the main house and check up on his sister and his mother. Tina Marie was a very mature and self-sufficient girl for her 11 years. She was also incredibly smart. She had just completed the 5th grade and was already complaining about how boring the summer was without all her friends and teachers. He found her bustling about the kitchen preparing breakfast for her mom (eggs, toast, and coffee) and herself (toaster waffles and milk). She wore a pair of lime-green coveralls with pink flowers and blue butterflies embroidered on the bib. They ended at her knees where a pair of knee-high purple JoJo Siwa socks took over. She was singing Dance Monkey as she busted her moves across the tile floor. Jesse could see the earbuds sticking out of her ears. He grinned as he went over to the coffee maker to get himself a cup. The toaster popped as he walked by and he instinctively reached out, snatching one of her waffles from it.

“Hey!” she yelled, “Gimme that!”

“Lego my Eggo!” he sang back to her in a whiny voice. His grin returned as he put one of them on her plate and stuffed the other into his mouth as he filled a cup with coffee and added sugar.

“Ugh! Why do you have to be such a Neanderthal?” she rolled her eyes and put another waffle in the toaster.

“Ooh big word for a little twerp,” he replied, “google much?”

She stuck her tongue out at him. “I don’t need to google ‘Neanderthal’ jerk!” she crowed, “I just have to look out back!”

He stood up startled and then busted out laughing. “Oh ouch! Dang! Lil Sis, that was harsh!” He tousled her medium-length sandy blonde hair, “well played!”

She giggled and accepted his bear hug.

“How’s Mom?” he asked as he helped her plate up the eggs and toast.

“She has an appointment today,” she replied casually and carried the tray across the living area to her mom’s room. Jesse followed and knocked on the door before opening it. A stale musty smell greeted him as he held it for TM to enter the darkened room. “Mom,” she called as she flicked the light switch on, “time to get up.”

A moan emanated from the bundle of covers on the queen-sized bed. Linda Dempsey-Morales stirred and sat up looking like a mess. Her shoulder-length blonde hair wrapped around her head like a rat’s nest. Her pale face showed unhealthy signs of premature aging. Her thin shoulders made her look even more emaciated than she was. At 39 years of age, she looked over 50. Time had not been kind to her and neither had her life. After being abandoned by two husbands she felt utterly defeated and alone and she wallowed in deep depression, barely a shell of her former self.

“C’mon Mom,” TM persisted as Jesse set the coffee on her nightstand. He went over to open the curtains, admitting a gentle light from the backyard, “You have an appointment this morning with the witch doctor.”

Jesse smirked as his mom slowly sat up. He reached over and tucked an extra pillow behind her. “I’ll drive you if you want.” he offered. Her car was an ancient 89 Buick LeSabre that had seen better days. He had done a lot of work to keep it running and reliable. She didn’t get out much so there was little dirt on it since his last detailing.

The phone rang in the living room, so he left them to go answer it.

“Hello.”

“Good morning,” It was a deeper female voice, “is this the Latoure residence?”

“Actually, it is the Morales residence. I am the only Latoure here,” he replied innocently as he took the cordless back into the kitchen and stole another waffle, “who is this?”

“This is Star Prastina, and I would like to know, what are your intentions with my niece Maia.”

He nearly choked on his waffle and had to swallow twice before he could breathe again. “Uh, I ... I...” he looked for his cup and grabbed it, taking a swallow of much too hot coffee, causing him to groan as he struggled to swallow. “Ahhh ... shit!” he cried.

“Excuse me?” the voice was even deeper.

“No! Sorry!” he stammered as he put down the cup and tossed the half-eaten waffle back onto TM’s plate. “I uh. Just swallowed wrong...”

“Are you okay?” she asked. There was a break in her voice.

“Um yeah, yes,” he replied, “I’m good.”

Just then Tina walked in looking at him like he had a third eyeball. She saw the half-eaten waffle and turned back on him angrily. “A-hole!” she yelled as she threw the offending waffle at him.

“Hey!” he ducked, “watch your language, little girl!”

“Excuse me?” The voice in his ear repeated.

“No! Not you ... sorry,” he glared at his kid sister who responded by sticking her tongue out at him. He looked at the ceiling and turned away from her, returning to the living room. “Look I’m sorry...” he paused as he noticed a musical giggle sounded from the other end of the line. “Who is this?”

“You sure do apologize a lot,” it was Maia, “So, what are your intentions for me?”

“Um...” he felt like an idiot, “I don’t ... know?”

There was a tragic sigh in his ear. “You haven’t had many girlfriends, have you?” she asked.

“Well ... not really, no,” he felt his face heating up. He turned and found TM sitting on the couch munching on her waffles while she watched him with big curious eyes. His face got warmer. “You would be my ... first,” he turned his back to the nosey little eavesdropper.

“Are you serious?” she asked excitedly.

“Uh-huh,” he mumbled, conscious of the big ears behind him.

“What are you doing today?”

“I am taking my mom to an appointment soon,” he replied, “after that, I am uh ... free?”

“Good. See ya at noon,” she giggled again, and the line went dead with a click.

He stood flummoxed for a minute before turning back to return the phone to its base. TM looked at him critically.

“What?” he grumbled.

“You are such a Neanderthal,” she sighed taking her plate to the kitchen.

---

It was almost noon when she arrived. Jesse was pushing the mower around the backyard while his mother reclined on the back deck in the shade. TM was sitting cross-legged in front of Fug trying to convince him that her makeover for him was just what the beautician ordered. With his earbuds in he didn’t notice her sneak up behind him until she tapped his shoulder. He released the handle grips, killing the mower instantly.

Turning around he looked down to see her smiling coyly up at him, wearing a petite-sized flower print sun dress with a matching band around her forehead. Her feet were bare again. “I’m here for my toes!” she greeted him brightly, then reached up to his neck and nimbly climbed his body until they were nose to nose. He automatically put his arms around her and marveled at how good and natural it felt to hold her. She smiled at him impishly then pressed her lips to his.

He was shocked at the sensation of her mouth against his, and his eyes widened as he experienced his first-ever kiss. His mind seemed to implode as he felt himself sinking into their embrace. It seemed as if her presence grew larger in his mind like he was falling into her. He heard her moan as her tongue worked its way into his mouth.

“Oh ... gross!” he heard TM’s voice as if it were coming from far away. Then all sound faded away except for a loud rushing in his ears. His vision grew dark suddenly and he fell into it.

---

“JESSE!” TM’s shout echoed around in his brain as she screamed into his ear. He felt a sharp tapping on his forehead, and he grimaced, opening his eyes to find himself looking up at three female faces. Tina’s was biggest and upside as she stared down at him from where she knelt at his head. She smacked him again. “You there?”

He jerked his head away from her. Linda stood by his feet looking down at him with a concerned expression while Maia sat at his side with her legs beneath her, wearing an incredulous look.

“Yes,” he said, “I’m fine.” He sat up feeling slightly woozy. “What happened?”

TM jumped to her feet and pointed at Maia accusingly. “That crazy hippy girl tried to kill you!” she blurted.

Maia giggled and Linda gasped angrily. “Teetee!” she glared at her daughter, “not okay!”

Maia touched his face and looked into his eyes. “Do you do that often?” she asked.

He rose to his feet pulling her up with him. “I don’t even know what I did ... what we did,” he corrected.

“We kissed,” she explained. Her eyes twinkled as she regarded the other two ladies. “Hi, I’m Maia,” she introduced, “I’m Jesse’s girlfriend.”

“Yeah. I remember that part,” he scratched his unruly hair, “but then I think I just...”

“Just what?” Linda prompted, relaxed now that he appeared okay. Fug sauntered over and bumped into Maia who turned delightedly and loved on him. “Hi Fuggles! How’s my boy?” she crooned.

He shook his head and then his face went red again. “I just sort of ... forgot,” he muttered.

“To breathe?” Maia interjected with a laugh.

He nodded helplessly as TM snorted and strode back over to her beauty supplies. “Ugh. You really are a Neanderthal.”

He looked irritable as the petite girl took his hands affectionately. “Wow!” she grinned. “One kiss knocked you out.” She pressed herself into him and stared up at him mischievously. “Wait until we have sex!”

His mother looked scandalized as she gaped at the two and then over at her daughter. TM just stared back at them with a smirk.

“What?” she demanded, “I know what sex is!”

Chapter 2: Ladybugs and Butterflies

Jesse was sitting on his work stool hunched over Maia’s bare foot that she had propped on his knee. His micro airbrush was gripped in his left hand, and he gently held her toe as he painted it. His face was a mask of concentration, so he was oblivious to the complete adoration on the face of his new girlfriend as she watched him work.

His stepmom’s voice rang out from the back door. “Jesse! Phone!” she called out, “it’s Xavier!”

He muttered as he sat up from his work. “Can you have Teetee bring it to me, please?” he yelled back.

Seconds later a grumpy Tina stomped into the shop and pushed the phone at him. “Here!”

“Put it on speaker,” he said as she stared at the tiny little ladybugs and butterflies he was drawing in Maia’s toes.

“Hey!” she pouted, “how come you don’t paint my nails like that?”

He sighed and sat up straight. “Because you’re a brat and I don’t like you,” he snorted back as he snatched the phone from her grip. He stood up and turned away as Maia began showing off all of her completed nails.

“Hey Xav, what’s up?”

“Hey mijo,” his ‘cousin’ replied, “you running a nail salon now?” His thick accent was full of humor.

“No! I’m just doing a favor ... for my...” he glanced back at Maia who was head-to-head with TM gushing over his work, “ ... uh girlfriend.” He grimaced as soon as the word came out.

“Say wha...,” he heard loudly in his ear, “you gotta girlfriend cuz?” There was laughter in the background.

“Yeah ... sorta,” he stammered embarrassed.

“Seriously mijo ... how much do you pay her?”

He ground his teeth angrily as a cacophony of laughs rang in his ear. “I’m going now...,” he growled.

“No! Jesse! Wait ... sorry mano,” Xavier was trying to sound contrite and failing, “I wanted to let you know we gotta real gem that your uncle just brought in.”

Jesse was all ears immediately, “What is it?”

“Some stupid pendejo rolled his 1970 Bronco hard top,” his cuz explained, “the hard top, windshield, and hood are all toast, man, but I think the frame and body are still good. Can you come down today and check it out?”

Jesse was holding his breath in excitement. “Hell yes!” he exclaimed, “gimme an hour or so. K?”

“You got it mijo. And bring yer girlfriend! We gotta see this.” Another burst of laughter and the line went dead.

Jesse didn’t even hear it as he turned back to Maia. She and TM were staring at him expectantly. “After this, I need to run over to my uncle’s wrecking yard to look at an old Bronco. If it can be salvaged and rebuilt, I will have an awesome ride!” He explained as he sat down and began working on her toes again.

“Sound’s kind of fun,” Maia replied, “can I come?”

He felt his face start to warm as he imagined the heckling he would get. “Um ... yeah. Sure.”

“I want to go too!” TM demanded, “I’ll go tell Mom what we’re doing.”

“No, you’re not,” he retorted, “there’s no room for you.”

“Yes, there is,” she shot back. “I can ride in the sidecar.”

“That’s Fug’s spot.” He didn’t even look up from his work, and he started on her other foot. “Besides I don’t have a helmet for you.” He grinned up at Maia as he shut her down.

“Then I’ll let Mom know we are taking the car,” Tina stated as she ran back to the house. The back door slammed closed before he could argue further.

Maia giggled. “She is adorable!”

“Yeah,” he grumbled. “She’s got a mouth on her too.”

“I wonder where she got that from?”

---

They sat three across in the Buick’s front seat with Tina in the middle, trying to dodge the slobber raining down upon her from Fug’s enormous face as he hovered over her, panting happily.

“Ewww!” she whined, wiping drool off her shoulder. “Roll the back windows down! Then he can flap his gums at traffic.”

“Too much smog,” Jesse smirked as he drove down the highway. Maia pressed her lips together, struggling to keep a straight face.

“Well, can’t you go any faster?”

“You wanted to come along, T-Rex,” he chided. She punched him in the arm.

“Shut up!” she yelled, “I’m not a stupid lizard!”

Maia lost it and emitted a musical giggle.

Tina glared at her. “What are you laughing at, hippy midget?”

Maia’s eyes sparkled as she smiled back. “I’m not a midget,” she replied gayly poking the younger girl, “you’re just freakishly tall.”

“Why don’t you ever wear shoes?” The 11-year-old blurted back.

“Because I like to feel the earth beneath me,” she replied simply. “It gives me strength.”

“That’s weird.”

“Why do you wear shoes?” The tiny bells hanging from her ears chimed with tiny notes.

“Well...” TM had to think for a minute, “to keep my feet from getting dirty, I guess.”

“But they still get dirty, don’t they?” She looked up and beamed at Fug as he leaned over and nudged her head for a pet. “Isn’t that right Mr. Fuggles?” she crooned. She reached up and scratched his neck. “So, what is the story with this handsome fellow?”

Jesse looked over and smiled. “He was born at the wrecking yard, to an old girl named Sydney,” he explained, “she was a weird mix of Sheppard and Hound, with a great Dane body, but the nicest pup you ever met.” He continued staring out at the road before them. “She just showed up one day about 4 years ago and made herself a nest underneath this old Chevy Malibu. Uncle Frank and Juan started bringing her food and treats and laid out some blankets for her.” The exit ramp for the junkyard appeared and he turned onto it. “She used to follow me all over the place. Turned out she was pregnant.”

“How many puppies did she have?” Maia asked as they turned onto a dirt road, kicking up dust.

“9 or 10 I think,” he said after a pause. “One didn’t make it. Fug here was the runt if you can believe that.”

They arrived at the gated entrance to the wrecking yard and drove through. They passed several rows of piled-up junked cars and trucks before entering a cleared area that contained the double-wide office and several enormous steel buildings that covered tow trucks, tractors, and huge jawed machines that carried the wrecks around the yard. Jesse drove past the office and pulled up to an open garage, in which he spotted the Bronco. He parked the Buick and they all climbed out. Fug burst out the back door as soon as it opened and strode eagerly over to the office, his club-sized tail swinging back and forth excitedly. The office door opened, and three men exited to greet the pup.

Jesse only had eyes for the crumpled Ford in front of him and he began slowly circling it, inspecting everything with a discerning eye. The internal roll bar was bent in the direction of the roll. The windshield and its frame were completely missing, and he noticed that all the broken glass had been cleaned up. The interior was oddly clean too he noted as he ran his finger across the dash and smelled the telling odor of Simple Green. Someone wiped it down recently. The front and rear seats were intact and appeared spotless. The front end was undamaged, but the hood was crumpled along with all the side panels and the hard top. Both passenger-side tires were flat and peeled from their rims.

His uncle, Juan, and Xavier walked up just as he crawled under it. There was a large puddle of oil and coolant on the concrete pad beneath it.

“What do you think son?” his uncle asked letting his niece climb up his coveralls into his arms. All three men stared appreciatively at Maia who was squatting down by his feet.

“It’s awesome Uncle Frank!” he replied excitedly as he crawled further underneath it. The transmission appeared undamaged. He checked the rear axle and crawled his way back out, getting to his feet. “What’s that status on it?”

His uncle shrugged. “Total write-off.”

Jesse shook his head in disbelief. “How?” he asked, “it’s actually in great shape. I don’t see anything wrong with the frame,” he pointed. “These panels are easy to replace — I am sure we already have 2 or more rollbars around here. And I know there’s a hard top out over there.” He waved to the south end of the yard. Leaning back over the passenger’s door he pointed again. “Everything here is stock. Even the shifter.” He looked back at them questioningly. “Why would the guy just write it off like that?”

There was an awkward silence.

“Um ... mijo,” Xav said bemused, “he’s dead man.”

More awkward silence.

“Oh,” Jesse stammered uncomfortably.

“Ewww,” TM groused in her uncle’s arms, “are there guts in it?”

“Jeez Teetee!” Jesse snorted while Juan shook his head.

“No, Niña,” the elder replied. He looked at Jesse knowingly. “We cleaned it out before we called you.”

Jesse nodded his appreciation just as he felt a subtle elbow in his ribs. He looked down at Maia’s expectant expression. She rolled her eyes towards the three men.

That was a preview of Jesse's Girl. To read the rest purchase the book.

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