Uncommon Curiosity

Yesterday I was talking with Jesse and she not-so-casually mentioned that she hadn’t seen her name in my blog in a very long time.  Although I should point out how weird it is to have a real life friend (besides Kyle) who reads my blog (and comments on it in our day-to-day conversations,) asking about when she was gonna get another starring role in the story of *my* life is pretty much par for the course with Jesse.

(What?  I can’t tweak a friend a little?  Ok, fine.  I’m kidding.  Hi Jesse!)

But, really, I do want to share that she’s met someone new, and this isn’t just any run-of-the-mill short-term good time.  This woman is (according to Jesse) cute, funny, really really smart, well-traveled, a big honcho where she works and

(drum roll please)

a grown up.

Yup, my little Jesse (I get to call her that because she’s 10 years my junior) is dating a woman closer to my age than hers, and she’s positively glowing.

That same Jesse who’s always given me a hard time in the past offered me a hug out of the blue yesterday – and it was a bit startling.  She’s been smiling.  And giggling.  And, once I got over my suspicion that she’d been replaced by a pod person, I started letting myself enjoy how wonderful it is.  Her good mood is contagious, and I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much around her or enjoyed her company more.

Of course I’ve loved hearing about each date (there have been 2,) and how they met (Jesse’s inamorata fell for Jesse and worked up her courage for a week to be able to brave a crowd of Jesse’s friends, slip Jesse her business card, and then beat a hasty retreat so she wouldn’t have to face the rejection she was certain she’d get.)  As the days have past, I can see Jesse slowly letting down her guard so she can enjoy herself.

Have I mentioned how wonderful this is?  It’s as good as discovering that cotton candy cures cancer, maybe even better.

And so you’ll understand that, when I saw Jesse today (and got a teensy peek at the object of her affections) I wished her all the good fortune in the world, and  suggested she share my good wishes with the new girlfriend, along with a friendly reminder that if she fucked with my friend I’d have to shank her.

Which, of course, is an exaggeration.  Y’all know that I’m just feeling very protective of Jesse, because she’s been through a lot.  I really am very hopeful this time, though, because, as I pointed out, this really is the first time in recent memory she’s dated an adult.

But, just in case, I’ll have her back, although I’d never think of shanking anyone.

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There are far better ways to ensure a person is never heard from again.