Dominique reached for the phone, but just as quickly changed her mind. Since her conversation with Reggie, she’d left two messages for Justin’s father to call his son. But so far, Leland hadn’t responded. And that’s if he even received the messages. Dominique wouldn’t for a moment put it past Leland’s wife to delete the messages and not tell him about them. Since last year, when Patricia had considered a message Dominique left on his cell phone inappropriate, Dominique only had contact through their home number. Dominique had felt that calling Leland to wish him “Happy Father’s Day,” and to remind him that the son living under his roof was not his firstborn, had been totally appropriate. Flying to Dallas and whipping his inattentive ass would have been inappropriate. But then again, maybe not. Maybe I haven’t been aggressive enough when it comes to Leland being involved in Justin’s life.

As Dominique left the office and headed home, the conversation with Jake was still on her mind, as was her questioning whether the decision to not let Justin go to Oakland had been the right one. And then came one final thought as she pulled into the garage:

Was it possible that Justin knew about the trip, and would therefore know she had forbidden it? No. There’s no way Jake would tell these kids about the trip before talking to the parents. Dominique sighed as she reached for the door handle. At least I won’t have to deal with an upset son, she thought.

As soon as she stepped from the garage into the kitchen, she knew she’d thought wrong.

29

29

First of all, the house was deathly quiet, something highly unusual at seven PM. She normally came in to the sounds of the TV blasting with a movie or video game and/or Tessa playing some of the pop, hip-hop or reggaeton music she loved.

Dominique placed her purse and briefcase on the island in the kitchen and reached for the mail that sat there. “Tessa? Justin? I’m home!”

Tessa rounded the corner. “Hey, Dominique,” she said, her greeting subdued. “I was in the study, organizing your library.”

Dominique rifled through the mail. “Where’s Justin?”

Tessa was only partly successful at stifling a sigh. “In his room.”

Dominique looked at Tessa, eyes narrowing. “What’s wrong?”

“He’s really upset.”

“About what?” Dominique asked, although she well knew the answer.

“About not going with his coach on that trip to Oakland. He’s been in his room all evening, not even coming out for dinner. I tried to get him to eat, but he’s locked the door.”

“Thanks, Tessa. I appreciate it. You can go home now. I’ll take it from here.”

After seeing Tessa out and locking the door, Dominique mounted the stairs. She hesitated a brief moment at Justin’s door, and then knocked softly. “Hey, baby.”

No answer.

“Justin?”

Silence.