Chapter 9

I walked over there, ready to join in on their talk, but my aunt called me before I could say anything to either Nick or Uche.

"Here, keep this on the table," she said, giving me a glass bowl filled with the food she had just made, which was surprisingly warm, not hot. I placed it at the center of the table, looking at her to see if she needed me to do anything else, and she shook her head.

While we ate dinner, Nick and Uche weren't talking like I expected, so I could chime in. It was all quiet; maybe it was because my aunt was also at the table. I was lost in my own thoughts, wondering how I had managed to have a smooth conversation with Uche. I was surprised at myself now that I thought about it. Sometimes I'm quiet when he is around, and sometimes I talk freely, like today.

I smiled when I remembered what he said earlier. He said I was cute, and I want to know so badly if he meant it or was just joking with me.

"Baby, you are not eating? Anything wrong?" I