The Other Black Girl

On August 29, 2018, the day after Nella’s meeting with Vera and Colin, Nella is 20 minutes late leaving for work. Upon arriving in the lobby, she greets India, the Black receptionist. Hazel follows and greets India as well—with a birthday gift of a vibrant head scarf from an African fabric store. Nella realizes that although she has worked at Wagner for two years, Hazel and India have formed a deeper bond.

In the elevator Hazel mentions that she usually buys head scarves from a Black hair cafe called Curl Central. Nella confesses that she can’t style Black hair or tie a head scarf. She wore her hair chemically relaxed as a child and while at the University of Virginia, a predominantly white college. It wasn’t until she moved to New York and immersed herself in Black culture that she “decided to chop all her relaxed hair off and see what happened” (88). The two women discuss Black hair, and Nella wonders if the white woman in the elevator with them can follow their conversation.

At the office, Hazel takes a detour through the kitchen, further delaying Nella. As they walk to their cubicles, Hazel asks Nella about her boyfriend, Owen. Based on where they live, Hazel guesses he is white. Vera, who is waiting angrily at Nella’s desk, reprimands Nella for tardiness before Nella can ask Hazel about Manny. Hazel sends Nella encouraging chats throughout the day to cheer her up. Meanwhile Nella researches Curl Central and discovers that the owner, a Dominican American woman named Juanita Morejón, is Manny’s sister, and so she surmises that Manny is Black.

As she gets ready to leave, Nella notices an envelope at the edge of her desk. The envelope is addressed to Nella and contains a note written in purple ink that reads, “LEAVE WAGNER. NOW” (97). She reads the note four times, wondering who might have written it, and slips it into her purse.

The novel again enters a flashback, this time from the perspective of Shani Edmonds at three o’clock on the morning of July 10, 2018. Shani recently arrived in Harlem from Boston, where she was summoned by Lynn Johnson to join “the Resistance.” Shani stands in front of the entrance to Joe’s Barbershop, where Will, a handsome Black man, asks her a series of brief questions before inviting her in. He is interrupted by Lynn, who insists that Shani answer a code question before she can be admitted: If an asteroid were hurtling toward Earth and Shani could only save one Black person, would it be Stacey Dash or Ben Carson? Shani dislikes her choices but picks Ben Carson because of his medical expertise. Will and Lynn accept Shani’s answer; however, as he leads her inside, Will reveals that the correct answer is to save neither and “use [the] asteroid as a chance to start over” (102).

Back on August 29, Nella meets Malaika to discuss the note. Malaika urges Nella to report it as a hate crime, but Nella isn’t convinced the threat is race based. Malaika wonders whether Hazel could have written it, and the friends mine Hazel’s Facebook page for information. They find a photo of the handsome Manny and note that Hazel mentors young Black women poets. Nella isn’t sure what to think.

Nella arrives at work before seven o’clock the next morning and notices that India now gives her a look that “matched the one she gave most of Nella’s white colleagues” (114). Perturbed, Nella heads to her cubicle and scans Hazel’s desk, looking for purple pens. She then stops by the printer and is perplexed to find a spreadsheet containing the names and information of eight Black women. As Nella wonders if these are potential job candidates, she is startled by C.J., a young Black man who works in the mailroom. Nella tells C.J. about the note and, like Malaika, says he thinks she should report it. Nella changes the subject to Hazel and is surprised that C.J. has already met her because Hazel arrived in the office at six o’clock. Nella and C.J. reflect on the adage that Black people must “work twice as hard” to get ahead (122), and C.J. returns to the mailroom.

Hazel appears, and the women exchange greetings. Hazel mentions that Vera asked her to read a draft of Leslie Howard’s new novel, The Lie, and offer an opinion. Nella is confused since this task would normally fall under her purview. Hazel wonders whether Vera holds a grudge against Nella because of the meeting with Colin but assures Nella that Vera must have simply forgotten to email her the novel. Nella decides to stop by Vera’s office and mention it; however, as Nella approaches the door, she watches as Hazel glares briefly at her before striding into Vera’s office to discuss The Lie.

Shani’s second flashback takes place on August 14, 2018, at the Rise & Shine Café in Midtown, where she now works as a barista. As Shani sweeps the floor, she is astonished to see Hazel. Her style has changed, but Shani recognizes Hazel as Eva, one of her coworkers from Cooper’s magazine in Boston.

Shani recalls the events that brought her from Boston to New York. First, Lynn approached Shani on the Red Line to warn her about Eva and invite Shani to join the Resistance. Then someone circulated the op-ed about Black employees’ experiences working in white spaces, which contained quotes attributed to Shani, and Shani was fired. Shortly thereafter, Shani contacted Lynn, ready to learn about the Resistance.

As Shani watches Hazel, she remembers Lynn’s warning: “If you ever cross paths with an OBG out in the wild, blend in” (132). Stealthily, so that Hazel doesn’t see, Shani takes a few photos and texts them to Lynn, who confirms Hazel’s identity.

Back on August 30, Nella ponders what Hazel’s glare could mean. She wonders whether Hazel and Vera are working together to get her fired and if the list of Black women she found might be possible replacements. Nella decides to go above Vera and discuss the issue with Richard Wagner.

Richard is an imposing figure in the publishing world. Nella recalls her first and only meeting with him: a “mandatory” tea in his office just after she was hired. During their meeting, Nella spots the photo of Richard, Diana, and Kendra Rae and confesses that the latter is one of her personal heroes.

Nella approaches Richard’s office with the intention of asking his assistant, Donald, if Richard is available, but Donald is not at his desk, and Richard’s door is ajar. Nella overhears Richard on the phone hissing in hushed tones, “[...] just remember, you put the ball in motion. You chose to deal with Kenny the way you did” (148). Nella pauses, trying to decipher what she’s heard. She assumes Richard is speaking with the agent of Kenny Bridges, a particularly difficult author. She then hears Richard end the call with “Love you, too” (148), and she concludes that Richard, who is married, is having an affair with Kenny’s agent. Nella hurries away just as Richard calls out to see who is there.

For the next few days, Nella observes everyone in the office with suspicion. Vera and Hazel’s meeting about The Lie lasts over an hour, and Hazel approaches Nella afterward as though nothing happened. Hazel offers to email Nella a copy of the novel and mentions that Vera asked for Hazel’s opinion of Pins and Needles as well. Nella is annoyed but thinks it will be useful to have a second negative review of Shartricia.

Nella prints out The Lie, intending to offer Vera her own review of the novel, and leaves the office. While on the subway, she reaches into her bag to start reading and instead finds a second envelope with her name. The note inside reads, “LEAVE. THE LONGER YOU STAY, THE HARDER IT’LL BE. WANT PROOF? CALL 518-772-2234. NO TEXTS. CALL” (156). A child accidentally touches Nella on the train. Startled, Nella nearly drops the envelope.

In November 1983, one month before Kendra Rae’s disappearance, Diana Gordon prepares to leave her hotel room in Essex, Vermont for a literary event. She adjusts her wig in the mirror and thinks about how much it makes her scalp itch. She remembers her mother’s old saying, “The hard things we do for easy hair” (158).

Diana’s husband, Elroy, gently reminds her that they need to leave. As Diana puts the final touches on her hair, he compares her to “those fancy Jack-and-Jill ladies” they made fun of as children (159), and Diana feels insecure. She wonders whether her makeup and outfit are over the top, as Elroy suggests, but he reassures her that it doesn’t matter because she’s far too brilliant to care.

Just after Elroy begins to praise Diana and Kendra Rae for Burning Heart, his voice cuts out. Diana steps out of the bathroom to see what has distracted him and catches Elroy crumpling a newspaper. She demands to see it and reads the headline: “Bestselling Burning Heart Editor: ‘If You White, You Ain’t Right with Me’” (163). Elroy urges Diana not to read the article until after the event. The phone rings, and Diana lunges to answer it. The voice on the other end whispers, “Di […] We need to do something. Now” (164).

On September 14, 2018, Vera and Nella prepare for a meeting with author Sam Lewis to select a cover for his novel, Crystal Soul. As they discuss the cover, Nella scans Vera’s desk to see if she has any purple pens and casually mentions that she’s finished reading The Lie. Vera over-enthusiastically asks to read Nella’s report. Vera plans to send Nella a new novel that evening. Vera also apologizes for any awkwardness on her part over the past two weeks. Nella feels relieved that they’re finally able to clear the air until Vera suggests that Nella apologize to Colin as well so everyone can put the meeting behind them. Nella is horrified but, at Vera’s insistence, agrees to send Colin an email.

Nella stays late at work to read the new novel, missing a dinner date with Owen’s parents. Still fuming about the apology email, Nella searches YouTube for “Jesse Watson + apologize for what” (171). She feels inspired by Jesse’s indignation at the idea that Black people should apologize for white people’s racist actions and begins to draft an email proposing that Jesse consult with her on a new book project. Before she can hit send, something brushes against her leg, causing Nella to scream. When she looks down, Nella realizes that it’s Pam, the Chilean woman who cleans the building, and Nella apologizes.

On the morning of September 26, the Wagner employees gather for a marketing meeting. Hazel reminds the editorial assistants that she is hosting an event for teen poets called Young, Black ’n’ Lit at Curl Central that evening. She encourages everyone to come and asks Nella to bring Owen. Nella has plans to meet with Lena Jones, a potential author, and to join Owen for a movie, but she decides to attend when Hazel mentions that Richard will also be there. Sophie again mentions the op-ed about Black employees and states emphatically, “Just because we don’t see [Black people] in these spaces doesn’t mean they can’t thrive here” (177). Her inflection on “they” makes the other assistants cringe.

The meeting begins with a discussion of Colin Franklin’s Pins and Needles. The conversation veers into the question of audience: One editor wonders whether “these people” affected by the opioid crisis will ever read the book, and another wonders whether the opioid crisis is a tired topic altogether. Maisy defends the book, saying that it represents the different demographics affected. Vera invites Hazel to share some of her thoughts on the way race is depicted in the novel, and Nella inhales deeply, expecting Hazel to echo her opinions. Hazel blindsides her by praising the book: “I think the protagonist […] will really resonate with audiences of color” (183). The editors thank Hazel, and the meeting continues. Meanwhile, Nella holds back tears “of anger and embarrassment” for the remaining 45 minutes (185).

Toward the end of the meeting, Nella looks up to find Hazel again staring at her and comes to the shocking realization that Hazel requested Owen by name, even though Nella had never mentioned him as anything other than “my boyfriend.” As she stares back at Hazel, she resolves to confront her at Curl Central.

Later that day in Catskill, a village in upstate New York, Kendra Rae listens to a voicemail from Nella, who assumes she is speaking to the person who left the notes. Nella begs for help and confesses that her work and personal life are “a mess.” Kendra Rae, who didn’t leave the notes, is perplexed as to how Nella got her number. Kendra Rae cut off ties to everyone except her sister, Trace, long ago. Although Trace tries to coax Kendra Rae, or “Kenny,” out of hiding, Kendra Rae is vigilant about “remain[ing] out of sight from Richard, from Diana” (189).

Based on contextual clues, Kendra Rae surmises that Nella works for Wagner and wonders whether her voicemail is connected to an earlier message Kendra Rae received from Lynn about the Resistance. Kendra Rae Googles “Hazel,” one of the names Nella mentioned, and “Wagner Books” to find that Richard is co-sponsoring an event held by Hazel-May McCall, an employee of only two months. Kendra Rae regards Richard’s involvement with suspicion. She reflects that although Hazel looks too strong to be under his influence, Diana had seemed strong, too.

Kendra Rae bolts up from her chair and locates an old program from Amiri Bakara’s performance of The Slave and The Toilet. Inside is a magazine proof of the photo of Richard, Diana, and Kendra Rae with the caption, “A New Era in Publishing?” (192). The question mark at the end of the caption had always irritated her, prompting Kendra Rae to make critical remarks, which in turn caused the magazine to pull the proof. Remembering this injustice and reflecting on Nella’s frantic message, Kendra Rae calls Lynn.