Literary Las Vegas: Nsedu B. Onyile

"10 Days With Minor: An unlikely story of love, sex, and the beauty of dying," is a book Las Vegas author Nsedu B. Onyile hopes will "leave you quivering with aliveness."

The story follows two strangers -- Minor, a wealthy world traveler at the end of his struggle with HIV, and Usukuma, a young Nigerian graduate student hired to keep him company during his last days. Onyile, who was born in Nigeria, has a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in nursing administration. She works in Las Vegas as a trauma emergency room nurse. Her experiences with friends who have suffered from AIDS were part of the inspiration behind her book.

Excerpt from "10 Days With Minor: An unlikely story of love, sex, and the beauty of dying"

She completed her rounds and reappeared in Minor's room just as he was struggling to turn off the cameras.

Without understanding what Minor was up to, Usukuma bluntly said, "What is wrong with you?"

Taken by surprise, Minor turned to face her asking, "Why?"

"Because your arm is shaking as you are reaching for whatever -- oh, you're using cameras! You watch people as they tour your house!"

She reached across him and assisted him in turning the camera off without showing any concern about the fact that she had been monitored. Minor liked her already because he had felt uncomfortable being caught with the camera and she was not.