Kamara, who arrived in Philadelphia seeking a green‑card, answers a babysitting ad and is hired by Neil, a white Jewish father, to care for his seven‑year‑old son Josh. The chapter follows a typical day: Kamara prepares juiced spinach, cooks chicken strips, and watches Josh practice for a Read‑A‑Thon while Neil discusses his discipline philosophy and anxieties about Josh’s upcoming competition. Kamara recalls how Neil’s surprise at her English and her accidental mention of a master’s degree cost her the job, yet he still offers the position. Over three months she bonds with Josh, feeds him, and endures Neil’s “reason‑based” discipline stance, while she remains unsettled by the American parenting culture.

On a Monday, Tracy, Josh’s mother and an artist with paint‑stained fingers, appears in the kitchen for the first time. Kamara is struck by Tracy’s appearance, her curvy leggings, dreadlocks, and the look in her eyes, which ignites Kamara’s longing for her own femininity and hope of romance. Tracy greets Kamara, asks about braces, compliments Kamara’s teeth, and later invites Kamara to see her artwork in the basement. Their conversation touches on language, culture, and Kamara’s Nigerian background; Tracy learns Kamara’s name means “May God’s Grace Be Sufficient for Us.” Tracy’s flirtatious question, “Would you take your clothes off for me?” unsettles Kamara, yet she replies ambiguously, feeling both vulnerable and empowered.

Throughout the day, Neil calls to check on Josh, expresses worry about the competition, and mentions a “NO TO GUNS” sticker he placed in the house. Kamara reflects on her past with Tobechi, their university romance, his long wait for a green‑card, and their eventual reunion in Philadelphia. She compares her current life—working for a wealthy family, living in a cramped apartment, and feeling disconnected—to her earlier hopes. Kamara calls her friend Chinwe, who cries, and she speaks with her mother in Nigeria, who blesses her.

Later, after Neil and Josh leave for the Zany Brainy competition, Kamara repeatedly knocks on the basement door, finally confronting Tracy again. Tracy again asks Kamara to undress, this time deferring the request. The chapter ends with Neil returning with Maren, Josh’s French teacher, introducing her to Tracy; Tracy compliments Maren’s violet eyes and continues the uneasy, erotic tension. Kamara watches the household dynamics, feeling both alienated and momentarily accepted, while still yearning for stability and a future with Tobechi.