Summary

The narrator comments on the long-lasting effect that fateful day in school had on his life. From then on, he had to choose his actions and words carefully, knowing he’d be judged differently as a Black person. Because he no longer feels any connection to either the White or Black students, he keeps to himself mostly. As a result he reads and plays music even more than he did before and becomes an expert musician.

He even begins to play a duet¬ ¬– something he normally avoids – with a violinist who becomes his first crush. One day, as he is hurrying to practice with her, he stops at home to eat and is stunned to discover the same well-dressed gentleman from his past in his house. His mother introduces the man as the boy’s father.

Unaware of how to react, the narrator stands...