Chapter 18

"What do you mean Maya?" asks my mom as she turns to look at me with a puzzled expression on her face.

"I mean there is another one mom."

"Who? Where? How?"

"It's Phoenix."

I can hear whispering behind us among the Steins and Furness's, all trying to figure out the meaning of what I just said. My mother's face is now pale and for a moment I fear that she might faint.

"Phoenix? Your boyfriend?"

"We broke up after I found out."

"So you were all just making me a fool at the lunch the other day?" her voice is filled with hurt and I am overcome with guilt as I think about this secret that has been hidden from her for so long.

"Dad and I knew, Phoenix didn't. He's about to find out when we call him in. The only people who know are me, dad and Savannah, his mother. I'm so sorry mom, I wanted to tell you but I figured that it wasn't my place to."

"I am disappointed Somaya."

I look at my mother as tears run down her face.