Page 41 of Tempted

“Is different okay?”

He shrugged. “I guess so. The kids can’t stop talking about you and Grandma says nice things about you.”

“I like it here too.” And she sincerely meant it. She liked working with the children. Just how long she’d be here was another issue.

“Can I ask you something?” He sounded hesitant.

“Depends on what it is.”

He fidgeted in his seat and scratched the back of his head. “Uh, what do you think of my father?”

The question startled her, especially from someone she’d hardly exchanged two words with since he’d come home. “As employers go, I have no complaints.”

“Yeah, well, Grandma seems to think he listens to you.”

“Oh?” she said cautiously, wondering if Mrs. Meade suspected something had happened between Jasmine and her son.

“Well, she mentioned how you got him to spend more time with Chelsea and Tyler. I was wondering, well…never mind. Forget I said anything.”

“Okay.” She turned back to the television not wanting to press the issue.

“Actually, I was thinking…”

It took some willpower to keep the smile off her face. “Yes?” she asked, keeping her gaze on the television.

“Do you think you could talk to my, Dad? About me, I mean?”

This got her attention. Jasmine faced him again. “What about?”

“He won’t let me do anything. I could have stayed with my friend in New York. It would have been pretty nice, but instead I’m stuck here because he says I have to. He’s always looking for ways to ruin my life.”

“I see. So what exactly would you like me to ask him?”

“I have friends in the area and I’d like to hang out with them.”

Jasmine didn’t think she should get involved with Victor and Adam’s issues, but she couldn’t ignore that lost look on the teen’s face. But he was definitely leaving something out. She saw firsthand the many times Victor had tried to reach out to his son only to have his efforts rebuffed. There had to be a reason why he wouldn’t allow his son to spend time with his friends. If she challenged Adam on it however, he’d probably close up again. “I always thought he was pretty reasonable but maybe I was wrong. He really must be trying to ruin your life if he’s flat out refused to let you hang out with your friends. Boys your age should have interests and peers of their own.”

He squirmed in his seat again, turning a bright shade of red. “Actually, I haven’t gotten around to asking him.”

She’d suspected as much. “Ah. So even though you haven’t asked him, you know if you do he’ll turn you down?”

“Yes. All he does is sit around and think of ways to make me miserable.”

Jasmine reached over and patted him on the knee. “No wonder you’re scared to ask him for anything if that’s the case. I didn’t realize you were being treated so badly. Maybe I’m not the one you should be telling this to.”

“What do you mean? If you’re saying I should go to him…”

She shook her head. “Not to him, but to Social Services. I didn’t realize this kind of abuse was going on but if I did, I would have called them in a heartbeat. I’ll take your word for it. You should probably report this abuse.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Are you patronizing me?”

Jasminekept her expression neutral. “You think I’m patronizing you because I believe you when you say your father is making your life miserable?”

“So you really believe me?” the mistrust that had been in his voice earlier returned.

“Of course. You have no reason to lie to me, right?”

He nodded. “I didn’t mean it literally. He doesn’t hit me or anything like that.”

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