Chapter 13: Derek and Aaron

Two men stopped at the end of the booth. One was tall, blonde, late thirties, with an expensive watch. The other was taller, with jet-black skin, a tight fade haircut, and broad shoulders; also late thirties. The blonde one saw Roxie and his face lit up.

“Roxie,” he said.

She stood and hugged him, then kissed him on the mouth, short and easy, the way she kissed the people closest to her. “Derek. I didn’t know you were coming out tonight.”

“Last-minute,” he said. He looked at me. “This is my friend Aaron. Aaron, this is Roxie and...”

“Sarah,” I said.

“Sarah,” Derek repeated. He smiled. “Mind if we sit for a minute?”

Roxie slid over and patted the seat. They sat. Derek and Roxie started talking about people I didn’t know. Aaron turned to me. He had a quiet voice and careful eyes.

There were not a lot of Black people where I grew up in Iowa, and I had never met one whose skin was so dark. I marveled at the difference between our arms while we sat next to each other at the booth.

“Derek dragged me out,” he said. “I got divorced a few months ago. He’s trying to remind me what the outside world looks like.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “How long were you married?”

“Twelve years.”

The number sat between us. “That’s how long I’ve been married,” I said.

He nodded like he already knew. “She got bored. Started seeing someone else. I found out the usual way.”

I didn’t know what to say. The polite response felt thin. “I’m sorry you went through that.”

“Thanks,” he said. He glanced toward the floor. “Would you like to dance?”

I looked at Roxie. She was already standing with Derek. She winked at me. I put my heels back on and followed Aaron out.