Chapter 15
She was a grown woman, carrying his child, but in his eyes, she was still the little girl who loved cartoons.
"You don't like it?" he asked, turning to her. He wiped a tear from the corner of her eye with his thumb.
Latisha quickly composed herself and nodded, signing, *I love it.*
His phone buzzed incessantly. After two episodes, he finally answered it.
"Where are you?" Yesenia's voice crackled through the phone.
"Home."
The word was like a knife in Yesenia's heart. "Home? Then what's this, a hotel?"
Clifford sighed. "What is it now?"
"You promised you wouldn't see her for a month! You lied to me!"
He glanced at Latisha, who was pretending to watch the television. "We'll talk when you're feeling better," he said, then hung up.
He tossed the phone aside and turned his attention back to the screen, watching with a focus that Latisha knew was feigned. He did this only when he was in a good mood, indulging her in these small, meaningless ways. One moment, he was cruel and distant; the next, he was this, the gentle protector from her childhood.
She leaned her head on his shoulder, savoring the false intimacy. For a fleeting second, she wanted to tell him, *I'm pregnant. We're having a baby.*
But she knew what his reaction would be.
Tears slipped down her cheeks, dampening his shirt.
"Why are you crying again?" he asked softly. "Is it because of Nikita?"
She shook her head.
He tilted her chin up. "As long as you're good and stay away from her, I wont cause any more trouble for:
her fole for:
Latisha didn't respond. He leaned in and kissed her. As his hands began to wander, a jolt of panic shot through her. She grabbed his hand,
th him.
He looked at her, confused.
*I'm on my period,* she signed.
He stared at her for a long moment, his eyes dark. "Why didn't you say so earlier?”
he said, his voice husky.
*I'm sorry.*
He closed his eyes and took a deep enen sat up. Seeing his
displeasure, she quickly signed
can help you.*
He glanced at her moving fingers. In this, at least, he had taught her well.