Jamal sighed, setting his cup down. "Your mom and I... we've been talking for a while now. I know it was wrong, but... I care about her."

"Don't," I interrupted. "Just tell me it's not true."

Jamal's expression changed in an instant, from calm to alarm. "How did you...?"

"Jamal," I said, my voice low and controlled. "We need to talk."