When Howie Met Jessi, Part Three

Previously on “When Howie Met Jessi,” Howard was all giddy that Jessica wrote her phone number for him, in a cute fashion. Howard tried his damnedest to concentrate on Bible Study later that evening, but it was clearly obvious that he was soaring above the clouds. Howard also struggled with whether or not he should call Jessica, but eventually he made his mind up and called her. Would she pick up?

And now we continue with Part Three of “When Howie Met Jessi.”


Ring… ring… ring…

“Hello?”

“Hi, Jessica?”

“Speaking.”

“Hi, Jessica. This is Howie, from the grocery store.”

“Well, hello!”

Much to Howard’s shock and delight, Jessica did in fact pick up the phone. His Auntie Sandy’s advice did him some good. Like the cornball that he grew up to be, Howard explained to Jessica that he had just returned from Bible Study. Jessica’s response: “Oh, that’s cool. What’s the topic for the month?”

Was Howard dreaming? Did Jessica just ask him how Bible Study went? Howard got over his shock and told Jessica what he learned in Bible Study. It was also during this conversation that Jessica revealed that she too, was an avid churchgoer. She was working on her Sunday School lesson when Howard called her.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll let you get back to your lesson.”

“Oh, come now, Howie. I’ve got time to talk. Besides, tomorrow’s my day off from work.”

Howard and Jessica talked for about an hour and some change, conversing about college life, family, and career goals. The conversation was going very well, until Howard and Jessica reached a fork in the road.

“So Howie, what’s the plan for this Saturday?”

Howard knew that Jessica couldn’t see him over the phone, yet he pretended to pick up an imaginary appointment book and skim through the pages. He took a deep breath and said, “Jessica, it looks like I’ve got something to do this Saturday.”

Jessica paused, and with her bravest smile, she said, “Oh, I understand. It must be something really important.”

“Yeah it is, and I cannot reschedule,” Howard replied. “It turns out that I have a date with a Miss Jessica Dawn Torres.”

Jessica blushed and giggled. “Oh, you—that’s a good one. You got me good!”

“Just wanted to see if you were on your toes,” Howard chuckled.

After a good laugh, Howard suggested that Jessica choose the place, but Jessica made it clear that she wasn’t picky. Knowing that the ball was back in his court, Howard decided on the Santa Monica Pier. There was a new beachside restaurant called Beach Burgers, and Howard had been longing to check it out. Jessica’s interest was piqued, as she said, “Ooh, sounds like a date. I’m down for it.”

After ironing out all of the details, Howard and Jessica wished each other well and hung up. Once again, Howard was as giddy as a toddler in Toys R Us.

“Hot damn—my first date since… well, since…that long, eh?”

TO BE CONTINUED ON FEBRUARY 11, 2011…