'Hand your phone to Cristian.'
Faustino gazed at the text message, trailing Lizella and Ashly into the pastor's office. 'Son, what are you trying to do?' He returned it. Faustino stood there, hesitating. His phone beep.
'I'm just trying to help protect my baby.' Faustino's eyes pricked and he swallowed rapidly. Another Message arrived. 'Give him this to read.' Faustino read what followed, sighed, and said, 'Fine. Now, quit texting—and don't be bothered.' His phone stayed deafeningly silent.
"Oh my God," he mumbled. "Please allow me to do what is best for Cristian." He walked into the office. While Ashly, Lizella, and Pastor Joaquin chatted with Jacques Peterson, Cristian sat in a leathered chair, leaned forward, forearms on knees, staring up at the floor. Faustino stepped up to the you
