I had never been much farther than the living room at Xavier’s place. Sherie and Tonya typically spent their time together in her bedroom, which was to the left of the living room. Tonya had a TV, computer, you name it in her room. Now, we were both led to the right, into the roomy kitchen area where a table had been set for four. A meatloaf was on a plate in the center of the table, along with mashed potatoes, a huge salad, steamed broccoli and carrots, and an apple pie. My stomach growled in anticipation. Tonya pulled out a chair and asked me to sit down. I thanked her and sat. Her uncle did the same for Sherie. When we were all seated, I looked over at Xavier.
“Thank you for inviting us. This looks like da bomb, man.”
Though he seemed uncomfortable, Xavier replied in that wonderfully
