Three Strikes: Chapter 10

I returned home later that night, to find my house pinch quiet, with the exception of my mother lightly snoring on the couch, with an empty bottle of beer in one hand.
I grunted. She had been like this ever since dad died.
I glanced over at the dining table, to find stacks of unopened letters scattered around.
I pulled a chair out, as I began ripping every one of them open, even though they were adressed to my mother, Alexis Merill.
I took out my reading glasses, and began doing the bills.
After completing the electricity, water and gas bills, the door bell had rung.
I glanced over at my mother, who was still knocked out on the couch.
I groaned, as I approached the door, straightening the glasses that had falled on the bridge of my nose.
I swung the door opem to reveal Jesse with rosy cheeks, and specks of snowflakes in his dark hair.
"Well, are you going to let me stand here in the freezing weather, or let me in?" Jesse asked, raising an eyebrow.
I gulped, looking back at my drunk mother.
I slammed the door in Jesse's face, as I rapidly ran back to the living room.
I couldn't let Jesse know that my father was dead, and my mother was a train wreck.
He would humiliate me to no end!
I picked me mother up, and dragged her to her bedroom.
I tucked her in bed quickly, and closed the door.
I ran back to the front door, swiftly swinging it open.
Jesse still stood there, with more snowflakes covering his shaggy head of black hair now.
"Are you going to slam the door in my face again?" Jesse growled.
I took a gulp, and moved out of the way to let him in.
As soon as Jesse stepped in, he fanned his nose.
"Ugh, why does it smell like beer in here?" Jesse asked.
I mentally slapped myself.
How could I forget the Febreeze?!
"Don't pretend to be disgusted, Jesse." I snapped. "You're quite a drinker yourself."
Jesse's disguted look turned into a smirk. "That's true."
I casually paced through my kitchen, trying to notice if anything was out of place.
"So, uh, what exactly are you doing here?" I asked.
Jesse grinned.
He reached in his back pocket, and took out an envelope.
He tossed me it, as I caught it in one hand.
The envelope was thick, and definetly over the average weight.
"What is it?" I asked.
Jesse chuckled. "Oh, Kendall. Don't tell me you've forgotten about our deal. It's Friday, isn't it?"
I opened the envelope, and surely enough, there were fifty twenty dollar bills neatly tucked inside.
My first payment.
"T-thanks." I muttered, feeling slightly guilty.
Jesse tilted my chin up, smiling.
"Don't thank me. My family has plenty of money." Jesse explained.
I felt envious, since he grew up getting whatever he wanted, while I had to start working full time at the age of fifteen.
"And, besides. If you do better next week, I might even double your amount." Jesse suggested.
Oh God, the shame in my stomach was unrealistic.
I bit my lip, taking in a deep breath.
"Oh, and Kendall?" Jesse said, before leaving the door.
"Yes?" I asked.
Jesse's lips curled. "I need you to go to a party with me tomorrow night. Cole will be there. We'll go to the mall before that, to get you your winter formal crap, or whatever."
Jesse disappeared through the doors.
"It's a date." I muttered.