Jesse

Jesse Smith is Cassandra‘s boyfriend for several months during their freshman year at the University of Illinois where he majors in business administration.

Born in Cairo, IL, (the state’s southern-most city) in 1979, Jesse has a bit of an accent.  His family attends church in Missouri where his sister is engaged to someone from the congregation. 

Raised Pentecostal, Jesse’s family didn’t let him listen to music or celebrate Halloween and taught him to save sex for his spouse because he can’t love her completely otherwise.  He is a virgin when he meets Cassie.

Jesse agonizes over whether to engage in sexual activity with Cassie, but eventually gives in to his urges.  The relationship, however, is short lived.  He breaks up with her a few months after losing his virginity, telling her the devil is working through her to tempt him off the good path.