SMITH T'Challa chuckled again He'd heard how good Southern cooking was and he couldn't wait to try some Zeke eyed T'Challa's bag with curiosity So what'd you bring Some secret high gadgets The suit Please tell me you brought the suit T'Challa suppressed a groan Last year on his first trip to America Zeke and Sheila had found out exactly who T'Challa really was His father had sent him to Chicago due to a looming threat in Wakanda Once in the Windy City with his friend M'Baku they were enrolled at South Side Middle School with fake names His father didn't want any of his enemies getting word that his son was in America He soon became fast friends with Zeke and Sheila and together they stopped an evil force that had put the whole school and the world itself in danger It didn't take long for his friends to discover that he was more than an ordinary exchange student from Kenya which was his cover When the threat became so serious that T'Challa had to wear the panther suit his father had given him for protection Zeke flipped out and wouldn't stop talking about it It seemed that he was still obsessed Yes Zeke I brought the suit T'Challa confessed My father insisted But he did say to use caution He doesn't want me getting involved in some kind of dangerous adventure adventure like last time
SPELLBOUND Zeke raised a mischievous eyebrow You never know though right T'Challa shot Zeke a cautious smile Speaking of which Sheila put in how exactly did you convince your father to let you come to America again It took some pestering T'Challa replied But I finally wore him down T'Challa thought back to the moment At first his father was totally against the idea but when T'Challa reminded him of how he had handled an unexpected threat on his last trip and the fact that he was now a year older and wiser the King of Wakanda nodded thoughtfully and folded his hands together in front of him It also helped that Queen Ramonda was on T'Challa's side T'Challa needs to see more of the outside world she had said The best time to do it is now when he's young After that his father finally relented Remember who you are he demanded of T'Challa You are a representative of your nation Use the wisdom and judgment you have been taught Do not let me down T'Challa's father had spoken quietly but the strength behind the words was clear There was no other way to interpret it Do not get into trouble C'mon Sheila said pulling T'Challa away Mr. Perkins is waiting Mr. Perkins T'Challa asked
SMITH He's like a handyman Sheila replied He does a lot of stuff for my gramma like cutting grass and fixing stuff He's waiting for us in the parking lot Mr. Perkins an older Black man with graying hair didn't speak much but played gospel songs on the car radio T'Challa hadn't heard anything like it before but some of the melodies reminded him of Wakandan folk songs back home He closed his eyes and let the music wash over him which almost sent him into sleep several times After a short drive Mr. Perkins dropped them off in front of a quaint yellow house with a nice green lawn and giant magnolia trees on either side Thanks Mr. Perkins Sheila said We really appreciate appreciate it Tell Miss Rose I'll be by next week to get rid of that tree stump out back okay Sure thing Sheila replied Thanks again T'Challa gave Mr. Perkins a smile and a nod then made his way out of the car Get ready for a wet gramma kiss Sheila warned T'Challa When T'Challa and his friends stepped inside he was immediately met by an aroma that made his mouth water He wasn't sure what it was but he couldn't wait to find out The living room was large and comfortable looking with a big sofa several wingback chairs and a large dining area with a massive china cabinet Pictures of family members
SPELLBOUND were framed on the walls and fresh flowers sat above a fancy fireplace A bookshelf took up one wall T'Challa smiled Sheila was a big reader and judging by the numerous books on display her grandmother was too Must run in the family he thought Something smells good Zeke said as he sniffed the air At that moment a woman appeared from the back of the house She had short tightly woven braids and wore a dress printed with bold geometric patterns of green and yellow which reminded T'Challa of the colorful clothing people wore back home You must be T'Challa she said approaching T'Challa gulped at the mention of his name but then realized he didn't need to keep it a secret She didn't know where he was really from of course only that he was a friend of Zeke and Sheila's one they had met in Chicago as an exchange student Before he knew it Sheila's grandmother hugged him and planted a kiss on his cheek Nice to meet you T'Challa she said breaking the embrace You can call me Miss Rose Nice to meet you too Miss Rose There was a moment of silence T'Challa stuck his hands in his pockets not knowing what else to do with them Well Miss Rose finally said stepping back with hands on hips Who's hungry
