A couple of months later, Joe and Hannah had attended a play about 10 miles from their apartment. A friend of theirs was in the play and had invited them. Afterwards, they had invited her to go out to eat with them, but she declined, saying that she and her boyfriend had other plans.

Joe and Hannah found a sports bar nearby. The waiter brought water and menus. Joe excused himself to go to the restroom. While he was gone, a tall, black man approached the stool where Hannah sat. She was startled at first, but then saw that he was smiling, so she smiled back. She immediately noticed that...