Summary

In “Whoa!,” by Rita Williams-Garcia, Dante encounters a former slave when steaming his face in a white enamel basin given to his by his Great-Granny Mae. Dante is a model who is paying his way through college. The slave believes Dante is a demon in his master’s well and tries to rebuke him. The slave, John, confirms he lives on Cosgrove Plantation and that a man named Jacob is his master.

As Danté realizes he is talking to a slave, he wonders if he is dreaming. The two have numerous misunderstandings as they try to communicate with each other. Danté tells Slave John he makes $2,000 getting his picture taken. John comments that he could buy his wife, mother, and one of his sisters for that much money.

Danté tells John in the future that a...