Chapter Eighteen-Maria

Tears blur my vision as Luc races as much as he can through Jersey City traffic to the Medical Center.

My mother’s longtime friend and neighbor, Mr. Palermo, is the one who pushed that envelope through my door.

I’d given Mami my address and a burner phone to call, but I didn’t have it with me the past few days.

I’m ashamed I missed her call, and that she had to resort to getting Mr. Palermo to find me.

It’s just another reason I had to give up this charade.

“Easy, Baby Girl. Talk to me, tell me what’s happening, please.”

It’s the please that does it. That, and Luc’s big, warm hand pressing down on my thigh.

I hiccup and sniff, mopping my face with a tissue.

He’s waiting for me to answer. His steel gaze is on my profile as we sit at a red light.

And I feel the weight of it. It’s crushing me. Till it’s not.

I look at him, and I decide. Now, his gaze is comforting me.

“You have to understand, this is hard for me. For so long, I-I haven’t had anyone to trust,” I confess.