You think my growing up with my dad was sheltering, huh? You don’t know the half of it!” I turn to walk away, but he grips my shoulder and spins me back around. “I mean sheltered when it comes to human nature, Lorraina. You are far too good a person to believe that he means you any harm, but I’m here to tell you that any MAN who would date a young GIRL has anything but good intentions.” “He loves me. He wants to marry me one day,” I protest, and it sounds weak even to my own ears. He hones in this in an instant. “What does your mom say?” Oh! He’s got me there. I see in his eyes that he knows it, too. “She doesn’t know,” I whisper. More forcefully, I add, “And don’t be the one to tell her, OK?” “I can’t stand by and watch him use and discard you,” he says resignedly while shoving his hands into his hair I fold my arms across my chest and cock my hip.
