At the mention of Justin, Dominique remembered why she shouldn’t be feeling all warm and fuzzy where Jake was concerned. “Speaking of Justin,” she continued with less warmth in her voice, “Jake, I’m still very concerned that you’re sharing confidences with my son and then keeping them from me.”

“Dominique, like I said the other night, I planned to tell you what Justin said about wanting me to be his father.”

“And exactly when were you planning on telling me that?”

“What does it matter? I obviously didn’t tell you soon enough. And for that, again, I apologize.”

“This is exactly why I didn’t want to start this.”

“Baby, there are some things in life that we simply can’t control. Besides, I’d think Justin having positive male role models in his life would be considered a good thing.”

“Positive role models are good; keeping secrets isn’t.”

“Fair enough.”

“Really? So you’re ready to share with me what you discussed with my child?”

Jake laughed. “Woman, I already told you. What we discussed was man-to-man, not to mention that he specifically asked me not to tell you about it.”

“I could care less what my son asked you. He’s eleven years old, Jake. Eleven. Kids that age should have no secrets from their mama!”

“Calm down, baby. It’s not that serious, really.”

“If you’d just tell me what y’all talked about, there would be no need to calm down. As it is, I have my theories. It was about the pictures, right?”

Jake sighed. “As I said before, Dominique, if you want to know what your son talked to me about, you’ll have to ask him. I will not break a confidence.”

“Even though you know it’s the right thing to do?”

“We obviously disagree with what is right in this instance. I will tell you this, Dominique. There is nothing he shared that you need to be worried about. Your son is a normal, growing boy, trying to navigate the journey to becoming a man.”

“I need to be a part of that journey,” Dominique huffed.

“And you are.”

“Oh, really? I can’t tell.”

Jake ignored Dominique’s comment and continued, “Some things about growing up can’t be understood unless you’ve actually been there, walked in those shoes. I’ve been there.” Jake’s voice became softer as if emotions from past memories threatened to overtake him. “I’ve been a young man without a father. Thing about me, though, is that I had older brothers to help school me. Justin’s by himself.”

“No, he isn’t. He has an uncle, and cousins.”

“That he obviously didn’t feel comfortable with exposing his feelings to. Trust me, baby. The last thing I’d ever want to do is steer any young man in the wrong direction. Especially Justin.”