Growing Up Together

~1~

November 2nd

Queens, NY

Onika "Nicki" Maraj

"Daddy, do you know where mommy is?", I asked.

"No Nika. She'll be here soon.", Robert said.

I nodded and went back to the living room.

Hi. My name is Onika, but you guys can call me Nicki. My.birthday is on December 8, which means it's next month! I'll be 8. I'm in 2nd grade! I have no siblings. Just me, my mom, and my dad. So I pretty much get what I want.

"Dad I'm hungry."

He nodded then got up and went to the kitchen.

"What you want babygirl?"

"Cake!"

"You haven't had dinner yet."

"I had a sandwich before mommy left."

"Okay. You go in the living room and I'll make it."

He kissed my nose and I giggled. I walked in the living room and sat down on the couch. I turned to Disney Channel and K.C. Undercover was on.

"My favorite show!"

"I'm home!", Carol said.

"Mommy!"

I jumped off the couch and ran to the door.

"Hi Onika."

She picked me up and kissed my cheek.

"I missed you.", I said.

"I missed you more."

She put me down and I saw a boy behind her.

"Mommy, who's that?"

"Robert! Come here!"

My dad walked out the kitchen and came up behind me.

"Who's that?", Robert asked.

"This is Robert, but we'll call him Rihmeek.", Carol said.

"Rihmeek. I like that.", I said.

"Nika, how about you go upstairs to your living room while your father and I talk."

"Come on Rihmeek!"

We both ran up the stairs and I opened the door to the kids living room.

"Wow. So cool.", Rihmeek said.

"You wanna watch TV?"

He nodded and I turned it on.

Carol Maraj

"Carol where did he come from?", Robert asked.

"He was sitting on a bench at the park that's 10 minutes away from here.

"And you decided it was a good idea to pick him up and take him home."

"Robert, you know how cold it gets in New York. Especially late at night."

"Where are his parents?"

"I don't know. He's not opening up to me. Maybe he'll open up to Nika.", I said and he nodded.

-

"Onika. Rihmeek."

I walked in the living room and I saw both of them sleep under the same blanket.