Page 39 of Pride and Protest
Dorsey stuck a match dramatically and touched it to the rim of the cup. A sparkling blue flame leapt to life. “Because it’s a wonderful memory,” he said.
“Does this memory involve a person?”
“Most do.” Dorsey blew out the fire and sipped his drink and winced. Not enough mezcal. Though there was nothing he could add to reproduce the inebriated feeling he’d had that night. What a boozy watercolor dream Liza had been. It was the perfect night—until it wasn’t.
“So, I’ve been talking to Janae,” David said.
“Why? Didn’t she ghost you?” Dorsey huffed. These games were tiresome. Why waste time on people who couldn’t return your feelings? Not that he had this deep well of feelings, but there had been something warm and welcoming blossoming between them under the twinkle of the Christmas decorations—until Liza crushed it under her UGGs. He hated to think it, butis Liza ashamed of me because I’m not Black?Did she think he couldn’t understand her because of his wealth? This was all too complex. Dorsey hated complexity.
“I think Janae was embarrassed after the snowstorm. She got a little too tipsy. We went a little fast,” David said. “We’re taking it slow. I’m getting a sense that she needs that right now.”
Dorsey poured the drink out into the sink and started again. “There are rooms full of women who would’ve called you back in minutes, you know.”
“I don’t want those women, and if you’re honest with yourself, neither do you.”
Dorsey tipped more tequila into the mug. “Against my better judgment, I followed up with one of those ‘no’ women. I thought we were having a great time, and then she runs into someone she knows, and it’s like she didn’t want to be seen with me in front of anyone. And do you know what I did?” Dorsey asked. “I suggested she ride home with the asshole.”
David shook his head. “It just sounds like she was being discreet, Dorsey.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, since this meme stuff, you’re a pretty public figure. It just sounds like discretion to me.”
Dorsey blinked. It was like someone splashed a warm bucket of water over his head.
Discretion, not rejection.
Liza had a hell of a reason to play it cool with him in public. Hell, ifhewas in his right mind, he would have been walking five steps behind her himself—especially in front of an absolute wolf like Isaiah. They were recognizable people on opposite sides of a struggle.
What if the board had seen images of him looking like a besotted fool? He would be out on his ear. And how could he have put her in that position of choosing between a fun night out and her entire reputation? He remembered her burning look. He had misunderstood, and worse, he had been unchivalrous. The phone burned in his hand. He took a deep breath and texted Liza.
Question number 18: What is your most treasured memory?
Nothing.
Okay, he deserved that.
“Dorsey, I’m starting to think your phone is the only person in this room.” David stood up to go.
“I’m sorry.” Dorsey snuck another glance at his phone. “But I see your point in giving Janae another chance. Is there somegift you can give her to make up—I mean,youhave nothing to make up. I’m just thinking aloud here. Maybe we could get them a Christmas tree?” Dorsey’s mind raced, and his heart did a little flip. David’s eternal optimism was actually useful.
“A Christmas tree? Are you insane? Why?” David laughed.
“I think it would mean a lot.”
“I can’t lug a Douglas fir up five flights of stairs!”
“I’ll help you deliver it.” If he had misinterpreted Liza and left her to take the train, there weren’t enough trees in the world that would bring him back into her good graces.
MODERN WOMAN
You’re on the line with Liza B., the only DJ who gives a jam. Welcome back to our hip-hop world tour! We’re taking you around the world. Come visit the station for prizes—shirts, tickets, and albums. Last week we took you to Paris with free drinks at Le Diplomate restaurant with a cool collection of French MCs. Next week we’re giving you some South African flavor! I’m taking suggestions for our next country. Caller One, do you have any suggestions for our hip-hop world tour?”
“First of all, it is so great to finally talk with you,” a woman said.
“Thank you.” Liza beamed.
“But yes, have you put any thought into the Pinoy rap scene, like Filipino hip-hop artists? The Philippines were really the start of hip-hop in Asia with N.E.R.D. and the Black-Eyed Peas. There is some early Francis M. that would blow your mind.”
