Brooklyn Baby

This is the original first two pages from my second book titled..."Lionhearts". Although I liked it quite a lot, I felt it didn't tie in with the rest of the story so well. As a consequence, I edited it out. It's kind of like a mini short story in it's own right, I think. I hope you like it.

The music drifted around the room as Beth Turner hurriedly packed her belongings. The bedroom was in disarray, with boxes and bags of books and clothing scattered throughout.The early morning sunlight filtered through the partially opened curtains, highlighting dust particles in the air. She knew this day was coming and planned her getaway to coincide with him being away.

Him was Peter Channing. Beth's boyfriend for the past two years. They had shared this apartment on W. 70th Street in Manhattan, for almost a year. It was time for her to move on. They had grown apart, she thought. He was gone so often, they had hardly spoken to each other in the last two weeks as it was. Absence was not making the heart grow fonder. On the contrary, she saw things much clearer now and realized their relationship was not working. Her younger sister, Stacy, had invited Beth to live with her until she got on her feet again. She accepted and now was waiting for Stacy and her boyfriend to come by and make the move final.

"You going to take that picture?" asked Stacy, pointing to a rather large photograph of the Grand Canyon on the living room wall.

"I don't think so. It's Peter's and I think he would be upset if I took it." replied Beth.

"So who cares. You've always liked it. I'm just saying he owes you something. Just take it. He can have another made. God Beth, quit being so uptight."

"I don't think so..."

"Ryan... come lift this picture off the wall and put it in the truck, will ya?" Ryan walked up to the picture and started to pick it up.

"Uh, hey, I'm going to need some help over here, you guys. This son of a bitch is heavy."

"Honestly, you're such a weakling, Ryan." Stacy walked up to Ryan to give him a hand. "It's just awkward, that's all."

"Stacy... oh never mind." Beth said, as they hauled the picture out the door and down the hall.


Beth looked around the room for the last time. So many memories. Some good, some bad. It had all started so hopeful and this is how it ends, she thought. Escaping like thieves in the night. She figured she should write a note or something. She at least owed him that.

She sat down at the kitchen table, pen in hand. The late morning summer sun poured through the window, warming her face. But what to say? All she could think to say was, that she was sorry. On a sheet of paper, that she left in the middle of the table, she wrote... 'I'm sorry'. And left it at that.


Here's a hint... the music 'drifting around the room' is Lana Del Rey's "Brooklyn Baby". Check it out. Play it while reading the story for a complete experience.

Stay tuned.