Hell into Heaven: Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Jesse

February, 2011

I've only been talking to Nikki for such a short amount of time and for some reason she's the only person I want to talk to no matter what mood I'm in. When I tell her about my day at work, or at school, or even at home she really listens to me and tells me her opinions with full honesty. I felt bad for her when she had her court date and the judge didn't help her out. She's been staying strong each day since she went back to her parents but I haven't really been able to talk to her as much as before due to her not having a computer near and her cellphone is a prepaid to where she gets charged a lot for texting and calling. Sometimes she's able to sleep over at a friend's house that has access to a computer. During those times we practically talked throughout the whole night.

The day before my birthday there was a big blizzard happening. It started when Nikki was still in school. I got worried about her and tried emailing and instant messaging her asking her to let me know when she was safe and not in the snow.

*Ping*

-Hey Jesse, just wanted to let you know that I didn't make it home but I was able to make it to my friend's house. Hope my dad doesn't try to come and get me. I don't want to be snowed in with those drunks.-

I understand that feeling. She told me the first night she went back to her parents they already got drunk and called her a bunch of nasty names. My mother went through that with my father and it hurts knowing Nikki was going through that too.

"Mijo, are you alright? Your mind seems to be in la la land," my mom said as we gathered at the dinner table.

I put my phone away, remembering abuelo's rule for dinner. He's been gone for many years now but I can still hear the sound of his voice saying, "No phone calls are to be answered during dinner. No electronics of any kind. Dinner time is family time."

"Nada, mama, just talking to a friend who's been through a lot," I said with a smile and started digging into my arroz con pollo (rice with chicken).

My mom is a very nosey person so of course she kept prying on.

"So who is she?" my mom started.

"How do you know they're not a he?" I teased back. She didn't take the tease. She continued talking while eating at the same time.

"Well as much as I would still respect your decisions if you went the other way, a mama knows when another woman is touching their son's heart." She smiled at me before taking a sip of her water."Is she your girlfriend?"

"No ma, she's just a friend. A good one," I replied. I finished my dinner and then went to the living room to watch some wrestling. My mom joins me on the couch. Still not giving up about me telling her about Nikki.

"Do you like her?" she said quietly.

"I do, yeah. Why do you ask?"

"Do you plan to ask her out?" she pressed more with a raised eyebrow.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes before saying, "I don't know ma, maybe. I mean.....she's a really nice girl. I like her and she makes me feel like she cares for me the way a friend is supposed to. She's selfless and she is always finding a way to message me daily to let me know she's still alive and well....I've never met a girl like her before, she's very unique."

My mom smiled before asking me, "Well what are you waiting for? Ask her out. She seems special to you and for the last few weeks you've smiled more whenever you're on your phone....I'm going to assume it's cause you're talking to her. She sounds like a keeper." She kisses me on the cheek and went to bed.

There I sat, looking blankly at the TV screen no longer interested in the wrestling. I pull out my phone to check my messages. Sure enough I had another message from her.

-Hey Jesse, good news. Thanks to the storm, my dad wasn't able to come and pick me up from my friend's house. Looks like I'll be here for a few days. Since there will be snow to shovel I did offer my services to my friend's parents and they looked relieved since it's really only the dad that has the strength to do it. I can do some more talking for a little bit right now. So tell me, do you have any plans for your birthday tomorrow?-

I was so surprised she remembered my birthday. I don't have it displayed on my Facebook anymore but I did tell her once during one of our overnight conversations. I don't know why but it really got to my heart when she asked about my plans for my birthday. I don't really celebrate it since it's just another normal day for me of work and school and helping my mom out. I started replying back to her. My mom's words echoing in my head about asking her out. It's been a few years since I asked a girl out....

*Four days later*

Another overnight chat with Nikki. I can't contain my happiness and smile anymore. I started doing my work and school from home with such a big smile on my face my mom thought something was wrong with me.

"Just happy mama," I replied while kissing her on the head and continuing on with my work and school. I stop suddenly when a message from Nikki pops up.

-Sighs, this kid won't leave me alone. He's like two years younger than me and he won't stop asking me out and when I tell him no he keeps asking me for more reasons on why I won't go out with him. It's so troublesome and I don't like that he's doing this on one of my Facebook statuses.-

I looked at her statuses real quick and saw what was going on. The little kid was very persistent. I thought up a quick plan to rid of the kid and to ask Nikki out at the same time.

-Hey Nikki, do you want me to pretend to be your boyfriend? Maybe he'll stop once I tell him I'm your boyfriend.-

I waited patiently for her response.

-I don't see any harm in it. Thank you for helping me with this. I feel bad that I'm dragging you into my mess.-

I smiled and headed back to her status and started adding in comments about me being Nikki's boyfriend. Thankfully the kid was smart enough to back off quick and he even apologized for being so rude to Nikki. Suddenly Nikki messaged me.

- Oh my gosh thank you so much for pretending to be my boyfriend. I owe you one. :) -

I smiled and said to myself. "Now for the kill"

- I'm glad I was able to help out. I have one question for you though. Can I stop pretending to be your fake boyfriend and be your real boyfriend? -

I hit send and almost instantly she replied back.

- Jesse, I'd like that a lot. :) <3 -

As soon as I finished reading her reply she sent me a relationship request on Facebook. I smiled and accepted and shortly after that she posted something about us.

- I have such a caring boyfriend. I feel so lucky to have him in my life. :) -

She had no idea that it is I who feels lucky to have her in my life.