Should Have Known Better

A tear rolled down my cheek and I let it sit on my chin until it dove into the vanity.

“I need to go home—” I tried, turning around to walk out.

But the dressing room door opened and I jumped back, scared.

“Oh, oh no, I’m sorry,” an exceptionally—and I do mean so exceptionally—handsome man said, holding the door open. “Did I scare you?”

“Yeah, I . . . I . . . was leaving.”

“I’m sorry. I was looking for Sasha.”

We both looked at the screen to see the credits rolling on her show.

“Guess she’s on her way up soon. I’ll catch her in the hallway.”

He stepped back to let the door close and I noticed that he looked familiar. He had light brown skin, slanted, secretive eyes, and strong cheekbones.

“Wait, are you . . . are you A. J.? A. J. Holmes?” I called.

The door was about to close, but he came back inside.

“Yeah, that’s me,” he said and his voice was friendly but humble. He put his hand out to shake mine.

“Dawn,” I said. “Dawn Johnson.”

“And you’re. . . .”

“I went to college with Sasha. We were roommates.”

“Really?” He chuckled. “I couldn’t even imagine what that must’ve been like.”

“It was memorable.”

“So you guys are hanging out tonight? You know Sasha can get you into almost anywhere. Hawks game tonight?”

“Oh, I don’t think we’ll be going to see the Hawks.”

“Well, all right,” he said, smiling, and his jaw eased back like he was someone in charge, perfectly confident. “Well, let me know if you all need anything.” He lowered his voice a little. “I’ve been here a little longer than Sasha. I can have better connections.”

“Thank you,” I said, not realizing I was laughing and grinning at this man. I was melting. I couldn’t help myself. “And, that was a great special you did last year about black women and natural hair. I never thought I’d see anything like that on CNN.”

“You caught that?”

“Yeah, it was good. I’ve been meaning to go natural, and it was cool to hear so many black men say they like it.”

“Yeah, I’m an au natural brother. I’ve been trying to tell your friend to kick the weave tracks to the curb, but you know.”

“Yeah,” I said.

“Yeah,” he said.

And we stood there grinning and nodding until there was a clatter and loud voices in the hallway.

“I don’t give a shit, Suzy,” I heard Sasha say. “There was no reason for me not to have that information. I’ve been gone for two weeks. You’d think that was long enough for you to do a little bit of research. I was up there looking like a damn fool.”

“Well, here she is,” A. J. said, pushing the door open.

I straightened my back and spread my feet apart like I was about to fight.