Free Brooklyn's Song by Sydney Arrison

are.” She was holding hands with a tall muscular man. He had long hair tied back into a ponytail and a goatee. “This is my honey bun, Konstantinos.”
    Konstantinos kissed Brooklyn’s hand. “I’ve heard so much about you,” he said, “Your pictures don’t do you justice.”

“Thank you,” Brooklyn replied.
    “Nice to meet you, Song,” he said, shaking his hand.
    “You boys talk amongst yourselves; I’m going to borrow Brook for a second,” Lonette said.
    Brooklyn held Lonette’s hand as they made their way through the crowd.
    Lonette opened the patio doors and they went inside. The noise from the music jarred the windows.
    “You’ve been holding out on me! When did you meet him? He is so …Fine,” Lonette said, fanning herself with her hand.
    “I met him the other day,” Brooklyn replied, nonchalantly.
    “And you didn’t tell me?””
    Brooklyn held her hand up and laughed. “Wait a second,” she said, “Calm down; he’s the detective working on my dad’s case. I asked him... I sort of asked him this morning at the coffee shop if he would escort me to the party.”
    Lonette pushed Brooklyn on the shoulder. “Coffee? You had coffee with him this morning?”
    “Well, yeah, but it wasn’t a big deal. I mean it wasn’t a date or anything. I don’t even know if he’s interested.”
    Lonette shook her head slowly and looked at Brooklyn as if she felt sorry for her. “Brook, no man is going to get up that early in the morning to hang out in a coffee shop unless he’s interested.”
    Lonette grabbed two shot glasses off the counter, filled them with rum and handed one to Brooklyn. “To finding everlasting true love!” She clicked her glass against Brooklyn’s.
    Brooklyn grimaced at the bitter taste of the rum. “Konstantinos is pretty handsome too,” Brooklyn said.
    Lonette smiled and began to sing “Whatta Man" by Salt-n-Pepa.
    Brooklyn burst out laughing. “They’re probably wondering where we are, let’s get back out there.”
    Konstantinos was standing alone when Lonette and Brooklyn walked up.
    Lonette gave him a little peck on the lips. “Hey, where did Song run off to?” Lonette asked.
    “He said he had to take care of something; he should be back in a minute.”
    The rum and champagne were starting to get to Brooklyn. She sat down at the table.
    “Are you alright?” Lonette asked.
    “Yes, I’m fine.”
    Brooklyn saw Song walking towards her; he had a big smile on his face.
    “Okay folks, we’re going to slow things down a bit,” the DJ announced over the microphone, ”This one goes out to the lovely Brooklyn.” Roberta Flack’s voice soared over the rooftop terrace as she sang “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.”
    Song extended his hand to Brooklyn; she took it and followed him onto the dance floor.
    She heard Lonette say, “Oh, that is so sweet.”
    Song held Brooklyn close to him. She just wanted to enjoy the moment and allowed herself to be immersed in the dance. It felt good to be in his arms. She laced her fingers around his neck and gazed into his eyes.
    “I think this is a date,” she whispered.
    He smiled. “I think so too.”

 
    Chapter 25
     
    Before leaving the party Brooklyn changed into a pair of Chuck Taylor sneakers that she brought along. Instead of riding in the Town Car, she convinced Song to walk the six blocks to her loft. The security detail didn’t like the idea, but eventually agreed to follow close behind. Brooklyn let the straps of her sling back shoes dangle from her fingertips while they walked. It was now after midnight and the streets were filled with people coming and going to clubs and dining outdoors.
    “How long have you and Lonette been friends?” Song asked.
    “I met Lonette about six years ago. She and I worked together on the playground revitalization project. We had to work in the hot sun in August, but Lonette managed to make the time go by faster by keeping me in stitches with her funny stories.”
    “Yeah, she