Her mother has told her many times never to walk through this neighborhood alone, especially at night. But she's stayed too long at her friend's house, and now must make the trek in spite of her fears.
The street light blinks on, yellow in the deepening dusk. She begins to count her steps, walking faster past an open door with several people lolling about talking. They call out to her, questioning what a little white baby is doing in a black neighborhood at this time of night. Their jeering causes her imagination to take hold.
As she walks, she remembers stories she has heard from her family, about white people being beaten up, mugged, purses and money being stolen, all by black people. From what she has heard, black people are all the same: lazy, good for nothing criminal minds in the making. Not that she's ever met a black person. Still, the fear is there, and she is afraid.
She darts from dark to light, trying to stay in the shine of the street lamps. She imagines people behind her, waiting in the shadows of the tall, dilapidated buildings. Is there someone behind that wall waiting to jump out and take her money? Is that the flicker of the whites of eyes in a dark face there in the distance? Her breath quickens, and she walks faster, thinks faster. She's almost outta there.
All of a sudden, she hears heavy footsteps run up from behind her. She whirls just as a young black man collides with her. She tries to scream, but fear has stolen her voice. Defeated, she closes her eyes to wait for the inevitable.
"Are you okay? I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going." she hears him say. Slowly she opens her eyes and stares into the face before her, into the intelligent brown eyes and the wide smile that is so quick to pop up when he realizes she's looking at him.
The man is wearing jogging shorts, a tank top and running shoes.
She relaxes, and even has the courage to smile back at him and say, "That's okay." He smiles at her again and continues his jog. The girl stands, looking after him, a thoughtful look on her face. Then she continues on her way home.
