Jessica had a very special bond with Linus.

Linus is fat & happy, miss you

JESS, ONE OF THE FIVE FINGERS OF MY HAND THAT DESIGNATED ONE OF MY PRIME BEST FRIENDS IN THE WORLD !!   I,M MISSING A FINGER AND IT HURTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been trying to come up with the right thing to post about Jessica, but writing isn't my strong suite. I thought I would tell the story about the last time we went out to dinner together. We went to Little Italy and got Bookmaker salads, Italian iced teas and cannolis to go. Everything was delicous and the weather was mild and we had a delightful evening. A few days later, she made her own Bookmaker salad and she nailed it! it was awesome. She said she wanted to try to make cannolis.

Those who were close to jessica know she always made list, to do list, shopping list, etc.  As I was packing up some of her belongings I found this recent list.
It reads:

"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one" 
 -Albert Einstein

confection sugar
vanilla extract
mini chocolate chips

"Own your existance"

I thought this said more about what a beautiful person my beloved Jessica was than any words I've been able to come up with. 

Jess Jakes was a big part of many of my high school memories.  In home room, we goofed around, chatted, and I braided her glorious hair in elaborate creations while she doodled her signature pen dahlia flowers.  (I still think of her when I see the pen she always favored - I think the Precise V5 - because she explained, in detail, why it was the best pen and the best sharpness.)  She loved music, and introduced me to the Pet Shop Boys, and talked about going to indie local band concerts in Fells Point. She always struck me as glamorous and deeply cool. 

We lost touch after high school, though over the years, I have bumped into Jessica several times - so I was glad recently to have begun talking again, in long Facebook conversations.  I am so sad that we did not have more time to re-deepen an old friendship.  

Jess Jakes, you will be missed.