Jessie's Journal (9/2/26) (Patreon)

Dear Journal:

School has been good.  Very good, actually.  It’s early, and most of my classes have only had a quiz or two, but so far, I have straight A’s.  I even joined the Thespian Society.  I used to be a bit of a ham back in grade school (before I grew into the role), and Dr. Chen thought acting would channel my more demonstrative urges.  I doubt I’ll get cast in anything, unless it’s for an overweight townsperson or a tree or something, but I’ve already made a few friends.

Speaking of new friends, I’ve been hanging out a lot with Rachel (my coworker from Dutch) after school.  Today, she came over to binge a few episodes of The Office.   

“Where’s your sister?” she asked as she plopped down on the sofa.  She was used to Michelle being a fixture in the living room, as static and ever-present as the lamp in the corner. 

“She’s working,” I said.

“She should apply at Dutch,” Rachel said.  The coffee shop was woefully understaffed now that school was in session.  They were calling one or both of us to fill in almost every day. 

“Nah,” I said, scrolling through the Netflix menu.  “We don’t want her working with us.  Besides, the place she’s at has greater growth opportunity.”

“Where’s that?” 

 “Mel’s Diner,” I smirked.

“Oh, shit,” Rachel gasped.  “At least she’ll feel skinny again.”   

I shrugged.  “For now.”

Rachel’s big brown eyes pierced my soul as she came to a realization.  One that spilled from her luscious lips a few seconds later.  “Holy shit. You’ve been fattening her up.”

“What?  How could…?  Why would…?  Noooo.”

 Rachel laughed.  “I knew deep down you were a deviant bitch.”

Not so deep down, I thought.  My parents may have assumed Rachel was a bad influence with her pierced face and tattoo, but I doubt she’s ever been arrested and expelled in the same week like I have.

Then she said something that cemented my unsettled feelings for her.  Something that made my heart race faster than her beautiful eyes or full lips—

“I want to help.”

--Jessie