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Two summers ago, I fell on my face on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. Luckily, I had one hand free to shield my face. But that hand didn't escape injury. One nail broke open and my finger bled profusely. I didn't even notice my skinned knees until later.

I was in Brooklyn visiting family. After a few years of visiting there, I had become more comfortable with the Brooklyn crowds on a Saturday, but I still had a Midwest suburban girl mentality and Brooklyn was still another world to me. I did not know what to expect on Flatbush Avenue that morning.

I lay there watching feet go by, wondering what I might pick up from thatnot so clean walkway. (Flatbush Avenue is not known for its pristine sidewalks.) I also wondered who was going to get me back on my feet. It had been a while since I could pull myself up from the floor, having arthritis in my knees.

Out of nowhere, it seemed, came arms that lifted me up like I was a rag doll and hands that dusted me off.

"Are you all right, ma'am? You took quite a spill. I have called the city more than once to fix that broken piece of pavement. I'm so sorry you fell."

I looked up to see a tall black man, stocking cap on his head, earring in one ear, toothy smile, looking very concerned for my welfare.

In shock and embarrassed about my fall, I held my finger up like a little kid and said, "I hurt my finger. It's bleeding."

My rescuer shouted orders to his barbershop crew to get some medicine and bandages - NOW.A young lady showed up within 30 seconds with antiseptic, cotton and bandages. Together, they tended to my hand, wrapping the wounded finger in a bandage.

"Are you OK?" they asked.

"How could I not be with you two on the case?"

We all laughed.The truth was, I felt surrounded by care.

Turns out my rescuer was the owner of Dr. Cuts, apreeminent hair care place for men in the neighborhood. His name was Desmond Romeo and he was well known enough to have been written up in The New York Times. Elizabeth Amon had writtenin The Times: "Mr. Romeo believes in caring for his male clients' health as well as their hair. He keeps them informed of ways to deal with hypertension, diabetes and prostate cancer. He's committed to the neighborhood."

In the article, Mr. Romeo was quoted as saying, "People knew in history that the barbershop was the place to go if you got cut or injuredThey were the doctors of the community."

Well, I found that out, Desmond Romeo, barber of Brooklyn. Thank you.

- Kaye Curren

Kaye Curren writes humor, essays, opinions and reviews for various publications and on her website atwww.writethatthang.com. She's currently working on a novel and practicing her sprint to the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop 2020 registration.