Life on Another Planet Ch. 19-22

Grant nodded. Jesse had talked about Dr. Mikeska several times in glowing terms.

"She's helping me ... so I don't want to interfere with her efforts. I hope you understand, Grant. No hard feelings, but I've got to work this out for myself ... with her help."

Grant sighed. If Jesse was getting professional help, then there was no point in being other than a good listener. When the time came that the boy wanted to tell him what was going on in his life, he would be there for him.

"Jesse, if there comes a time when you need someone to talk to ... another guy maybe ... don't think twice about coming to me. I'm very fond of you and I hope you know you can trust me to keep a confidence. I'm here for you ... whenever."

Jesse nodded. "Thanks, Grant. I know you are and I'm very lucky to have you as a friend as well as my boss. I really like working here and I'll do everything I can to make sure I do a good job for you."

"I never had any doubt about that, but I can see that lately you've been troubled. Just remember what I said. Anytime ... anywhere."

Jesse knew full well what the problem was. In fact, one thing led to another and multiplied his feelings of gloominess. The first, of course, was his situation and how he couldn't share the information with anyone other than those he had already told. The second was the loss of his budding romance with Kirsten. She hadn't contacted him or come to see him since the day he and Eve had told her about his strange time-jump. He took that as a bad omen and had come to the conclusion that she had decided she didn't want to be involved with him any longer.

Only his baseball games and his work at the book store gave him any relief from his melancholia. He wasn't sleeping properly, finding himself awake in the middle of the night, his mind trying to think of some way out of his circumstances. It was an endless circle of frustration. There was no way out. Unless this was all some kind of cosmic prank, he was stuck where he was and not likely to return to his former life. And that led him to wonder what would become of him. Why was he here and what was he supposed to do about it?

Chapter 20 Back in the Game

Wednesday May 30, 2012 7:15pm

"Hey, Jesse. What happened to that hot blonde babe I saw you with a while ago?" Chunky asked.

"Ah ... we broke up. Her idea, not mine," he said, hoping that would end the questioning.

"Man, that's a shame. She was some hot number," he said, shaking his head.

"Yeah," Jesse agreed solemnly. "She was that."

Their conversation was overheard in the sparsely filled stands by a young woman who had become a regular spectator at the home games. Jesse hadn't noticed her, but she had noticed him, and the information that he was not together with anyone was encouraging. She hadn't exactly been stalking Jesse, but she was certainly aware of him and definitely interested. This latest information appeared to be an opportunity.

Candice Tanner watched the game intently, focussing on Jesse. He was clearly one of the more skilled players, and what began as mild interest became something more. Everything about him said he was a nice guy and a talented ballplayer. She thought he was the same young man who attended her night school mathematics class. When the other players called him Jesse, she knew it was the same guy.

She summoned all her courage and walked down to the dugout area at the end of the game and said hello to him as he was putting his gear away in his sport bag.

"Hi," she said shyly. "You're in my night school class. My name's Candice Tanner."

Jesse was caught by surprise. She did look vaguely familiar, but didn't immediately place her. As he took her in, he was surprised he hadn't noticed her before. Her body alone would have attracted his attention ... not to mention every other male in the class.

"Oh ... Hi ... I'm Jesse Peterson," he said with a slight smile.

She was a very attractive young woman, about five-foot-six with dark blonde hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a tank top and shorts, leaving little to the imagination of what her body was like. The word pneumatic came to mind as a description of her curves. She had a very prominent chest, and her opposite side was just as eye-catching.

"I've been watching the games ... and you ... for a couple of weeks. I like baseball and you're a really good player. I play softball on the weekends."

"This is my favourite game," Jesse said with a smile. For the first time in a while he was interested in someone other than Kirsten. Candice was a cute name and she had a nice smile to go with her amazingly well-developed body.

"I couldn't help overhearing you broke up with your girlfriend. I know it's none of my business, but I was wondering ... if maybe ... you ... and me ... well ... you know ... maybe ... have a date ... or something?

Jesse smiled at her awkwardness and almost immediately decided that a date with a pretty young lady wouldn't be a terrible idea.

"Yeah, it's true, I'm on the loose again," he admitted with a grin. "What did you have in mind? I mean, we don't know anything about each other, so I guess you'll have to tell me what you like ... and don't like," he suggested, struggling manfully to avoid staring at her chest.

"Why don't we have a soda or something after class tomorrow?" she suggested, now obviously more confident. "We can talk and find out about each other."

Jesse smiled. "That's a good idea. I'll see you tomorrow at class and we can get together afterwards."

"Great," she beamed.

Candice was delighted that she had taken that first step toward getting to know a handsome young guy who seemed to be a very nice person as well. She'd had enough of some of the self-admiring, arrogant types that she had come in contact with. There wasn't much doubt about what they wanted and had a sense of entitlement that put her off. Nice guys who were good looking and hardworking were hard to find. As she walked toward the parking lot, she put a little extra sway into her hips, not daring to look back to see if Jesse was watching her.

Jesse was indeed watching. How did he miss noticing her in class? Young ladies with bodies like that could never avoid all the nearby male eyes on them. And ... she looked just as sexy going and she did coming. He would definitely welcome a date with Candice. Who knew where it might lead?

Thursday, May 31, 2012 6:55pm

"Hi, Jesse," Candice greeted him brightly.

"Hi, you're early."

"Yes, I know you don't like to be late," she smiled.

"How do you know that?" he chuckled.

"You're the first one in class almost every evening, and the first one at the ballpark every time I've been there. You must have a thing about time," she grinned.

"Guilty. I got that from my father. He was always ten minutes early for everything, 'just in case' he would say."

"It's not a bad habit," she said. "I don't like being late either."

"How are you making out with this course?" he asked.

"Oh ... okay I guess," she said. "I have to get a pass to get into my business economics class next semester."

"Ah ... I need it to complete my first year math prerequisite. I'm not exactly on the honour roll, but I think I'll get a pass."

"Well, that's what's important," she nodded as the instructor walked into the room. "I'll catch up with you after class."

Jesse nodded and smiled. For the first time in over a month he felt a little more positive. Candice was a hot looking young woman and seemed to have a ready smile for him. What he wondered was why she wasn't surrounded by other guys trying to get to know her better. He would have to train himself to keep his eyes from wandering over her impressive body. But the more he saw, the more difficult that was going to be.

~*~

Candice waited for Jesse to pack up his books and join her at the back of the classroom.

"Where should we go?" she asked as he met her.

"I thought that café a couple of blocks down the street would be best. That okay with you?"

"Oh sure. I know the one you mean. It's called Jester's isn't it?"

"I think so. Anyway, it's quiet and we can talk and not share everything we talk about with strangers," Jesse smiled.

They strolled down the street until they reached the little café. Jesse held the door and received a warm smile from Candice. He could feel the stirrings in him as she added a little extra sway to her stride as she entered. She was a "head-turner" in every way, and her entry had caught the attention of several males, as well as some of the females. She found a table over in the corner of the front window and led him to it.

A young waitress approached and smiled at Candice. "Hi, Candice. Who's the handsome dude you've brought with you?" she said, turning to Jesse with an appraising eye.

"Hi, Toni. This is Jesse. We're classmates at night school."

Jesse nodded and smiled as he held the chair for Candice.

"Oh ... and nice manners, too," Toni grinned, winking at her girlfriend.

"Nice to meet you, Toni," Jesse said before seating himself.

"The usual, Candice?" the waitress asked.

"Yes, please," she said. "I stop here after class most nights. I have a soft drink or a hot chocolate in the cold weather. Coffee in the evenings keeps me awake," she explained to Jesse.

"Uhhm, I'll have an orange soda, please," Jesse smiled at the waitress, then turned his attention to Candice.

"So, I gather you know her," he said.

"Yes, she's in my day classes. Night school is me trying to get ahead ... maybe save myself a semester ... or maybe even a year."

"Are you from here? Vancouver, I mean."

"No ... I'm from Cranbrook. I'm here to get a good business education to prepare me to eventually take over my parents' operation. They own a garage and service station. It's very successful and I want to keep it that way. I have some ideas that will make sure it succeeds in the future." It was a matter-of-fact statement from Candice that left Jesse little doubt about her intentions.

"So ... are you mechanically inclined?" he asked.

"Yup. My dad has taught me all he knows, and together we're learning about all the new gismos that the industry comes up with every year. I'm the computer specialist, while Dad does the nuts and bolts. Mom is the accountant."

"Let me guess, you don't have a brother," Jesse grinned.

"Wrong," she smirked. "My brother Dave is in med school with his best pal Pete. The two of them plan to set up a general practice when they finish. They're planning a clinic and I'm sure it will be welcome in town. If he hadn't decided to become a doctor, he'd be the one taking the business courses."

"So Dave is older than you?"

"Yup, twenty-four. He'll be doing his residency here in Vancouver, but Pete will probably be doing his in Cranbrook. We've got a really nice district hospital, so he'll get known in the community pretty quickly."

"How come they aren't doing their residency together?" Jesse asked.

"Dave is planning to specialize in paediatric care, and Pete is aiming at geriatrics. Different strokes for different folks," she grinned.

"So ... Dave and Pete are really tight, then."

"Like brothers. They've been close since they were little kids - played hockey and baseball together. Mom and Dad are really proud of Dave and Pete.

"Pete's parents must be pretty proud too."

She was shaking her head. "They were killed in an avalanche a few years ago. Mom and Dad took Pete in to live with us when he was sixteen. His grandparents were too old to help and they lived in Radium Hot Springs. The first time I saw Pete, I was a chubby little girl with pigtails. I decided right then and there I was going to marry him."

"Oh boy, is he in for a surprise," Jesse laughed.

"Maybe. I haven't seen him since I started college. He might have changed," she said with a faraway look.

"And Candice still has a crush on him, doesn't she?" he guessed.

She nodded. "Something like I've got with a certain Jesse Peterson," she smiled.

"I can't believe I didn't notice you in class. Have you just started there?"

"Nope," she grinned as their drinks arrived. "Been there all along, but in disguise."

"Must have been a hell of a disguise."

"Not really. I just dressed in really baggy, drab clothes and wore a wool ski cap in the winter months. I was trying not to attract attention. I got enough of the unwelcome kind during my first year. I'm not ashamed of how I look, but I know what guys are after when it's on display. I don't want that. If I'm going to have a boyfriend, I want someone like you. You know, polite and not likely to leave me with bruises on my chest every time we pass."

"Is it that bad?" Jesse wondered.

She nodded. "I'm afraid all the sexual harassment warnings don't include the subtle stuff. In fact, a couple of girls have been assaulted and almost nothing was done about it. I don't want that in my life and the best way to avoid it is to make myself unattractive to the kind of guy I'd have to worry about."

"Well, your disguise is blown now," Jesse said. "There was no mistaking you in class tonight."

"I took a chance. I wanted to get to know you, so I decided for one night, I could dump the disguise and dress the way I wanted to. I take it I got your attention," she grinned.

"Oh yeah," he nodded. "It's a shame you have to go to those extremes, though."

"Jesse, I've been dealing with these since I was thirteen," she said, placing her hands under her generous cleavage. "At first I was happy. At first, I knew I could get almost any boy to ask me for a date. Pretty soon I found out that it was just what I carried on my chest and not me they wanted to get to know. It got old pretty quickly ... about the time I was sixteen. I know what I look like and I know about raging hormones in teenage boys. I'm not a virgin, but I don't date just anyone anymore. But you're different. Don't ask me how I know, I just do."

"Huh," he said, shaking his head. "I'm not so different. You are spectacular ... coming and going. I've already assumed there are a line of guys wanting to get to know you. It sounds like you've decided to be a lot more selective about who you date."

"Exactly right," she smiled. "I was a little nervous when I approached you. I wasn't sure that I was right about you ... you know ... that you were a gentleman. So far, I'm thinking I was right. I am ... aren't I?"

"I'll try like hell, Candice, but it won't be easy."

They finished their soft drinks, paid the bill, and walked slowly back to the college parking lot.

"So, will you be going back to your disguise again," Jesse asked.

"I don't know. I'd rather not. I don't like looking dumpy-frumpy. Summer's coming and it wouldn't be very comfortable being overdressed. I guess I'll just have to find something that doesn't draw too much attention to me. Maybe I'll dye my hair green. That might work," she joked.

"Please don't. I think that will just attract more attention, not less."

"So, you don't attend day classes then," she said, changing the subject.

"Not yet, but I'm pretty sure I'll qualify next fall."

"Did you have trouble with the entrance qualifications?"

"I got sick, had a problem with my memory, and couldn't qualify. So, this past year has all been catching up," he recited the well worn story.

"What happened?" she asked with a look of concern.

"The doctors aren't sure. It was thought to be a virus of some kind, but it sure messed with my mind for a few weeks. I'm past it now, but it set me back a quite a bit. I had planned to compress like you are, but I'm not sure I can handle that. I guess I'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, I'm taking some courses on line and attending night school as well as holding down a steady job. It keeps me occupied," he smiled.

"I guess it would. So, you think you might be able to start second year, then?" she wondered.

"I hope so. I'll know this summer. Then, I have to decide to stick with on line courses and night school, or convert to college during the day ... like you."

"And you have a job, too?"

"Yes. I work at a book store on 4th Avenue. I like it there. I'm there from noon to closing at six on weekdays, and ten to five on Saturdays. It doesn't pay a lot, but I like the owner and I enjoy all the books and things."

"You don't have a lot of spare time then," she noted.

"No, but if I convert to conventional classes, I might be able to free up a bit more time. I used to share time at the book store and I wouldn't mind going back to that. I was only working Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons, so I had the weekends free."

"Who was your girlfriend ... the one you broke up with?" she asked.

"Oh ... well ... uh ... her name was Kirsten and we didn't exactly break up. I mean, we weren't actually going out together ... much ... so it was more like we were friends and she decided that we wouldn't take it any further."

His convoluted explanation left Candice with a sceptical frown. "How many girlfriends have you had," she persisted.

"Uhhm ... well ... only two, actually. The first dumped me for the quarterback on the high school football team. The other was a nice young lady who I helped with her essay. We were only together for a couple of months, but she was very nice and I was sorry to see her go."

Jesse's explanation seemed to provoke more questions from Candice.

"What happened with her that it only lasted a couple of months?" she asked, a more serious frown now showing.

"She finished her degree at the end of last year and moved to Victoria for her masters ... and maybe even a PhD."

"How old was she?"

"Uhhm ... twenty-two, I think."

"And you are?"

"Nineteen."

"Huh. I'm beginning to wonder about you, Jesse. None of what you tell me is ordinary. Tell me about this Kirsten girl."

"Well, I met her when I moved into my guardian's apartment last summer. She was working out, trying to qualify for the UBC hockey team. We got to be friends because she was living right across the hall and I would see her quite often in the exercise room. When she made the team, she was too busy with classes and hockey to date very much, so things kind of went on hold."

"Are you talking about Kirsten Gustafson, the all-star defence player? That six-foot Swedish girl?"

He nodded.

"And you and she were like ... boyfriend and girlfriend?" she said with a look of total surprise.

"Well ... not exactly. We only dated a couple of times. Like I said, she was pretty busy with school and hockey. The last time we dated was at was last winter. My guardian has a lodge at Whistler and the Gustafsons have a condo there as well. So, I tagged along. We skied a bit and she was at our place for dinner a couple of times. We're still friends. It's not like she dates anyone else."

Jesse was getting decidedly uncomfortable with the questioning by Candice.

"So I've got to compete with an Amazon Swede for your attention, huh?" Her tone of voice was decidedly sharp.

"I don't think so, Candice. She's off to Team Canada camp this summer. She's a year ahead of me in school. Like you, she's got a collection of guys who want to date her, so I don't expect to have much of a chance with her anyway."

"But you would if you could?" she said, forming it more as a statement than a question.

He shrugged. "I don't know. You know, Candice, when you date very beautiful women like you and Kirsten, you're always a little worried about some other guy who's richer, or smarter, or more handsome, cutting in on you. That's what happened to me in high school. I could see it happening with Kirsten and with you, to tell the truth."

"You don't have a very high opinion of my integrity, do you?" she snapped.

He was shaking his head. "It isn't that, Candice. You're a very beautiful, desirable woman and I have to be realistic about my chances against that much opposition. If it's happened to me once, it could happen again."