She pinches my cheek. “Such a little people pleaser. It’s not all good. You ain’t breaking my heart by lying to me.” My brain searches for the best response. Auntie, I’m not a people pleaser cuz I like pleasing people. Just trying not to catch any smoke—from you or anyone else, Auntie. Keeping my head above water . . . trying not to make any waves when I can.
