On any given day, I'd be sitting in the corner of Aunt Shauneille's living room while Nikki Giovanni read her poetry aloud or ensembles rehearsed plays. ... Aunt Shauneille's enormous living room housed a tall avocado tree, floor-to-ceiling bookcases, paintings, and gorgeous African masks that mesmerized me.
Every day, I would be in Aunt Shauneille's spacious living room, listening to Nikki Giovanni read her poetry or watching theater groups rehearse plays. ...  Aunt Shauneille's expansive living room was filled with a tall avocado tree, towering bookcases, paintings, and captivating African masks that captivated me.