Mercy [Completed]

Chapter 12: Little Black Dress

Brooklyn slipped it on and admired her reflection in the mirror. It looked much better now that she could fill it out properly. She wore a pair of black flats and didn't bother with accessories. That was Page's thing. She did pin up her hair on the sides and smiled at her reflection. For the first time, she noticed the changes and felt good, inside and out. She almost looked like a proper lady.

"Well how about that, Mama?" she said to her reflection. But it wasn't a time to lament over her past. Brooklyn wanted to recapture some of that enthusiasm for life and she was certain she could find some at Gregory's.

Brooklyn took a picture, something she rarely did. If only Father Mathias could see her. There was never any reason to dress up like that since they always met at the church. Going out on a real date and holding hands was something she wished she could experience with him, but knew she never could. Unless... she shook her head, unwilling to finish the thought.

She took a deep breath and tried to shake off the sudden bout of negativity before leaving to catch the bus to Gregory's.

"Hey! You look great!" greeted Gregory. "Kyle! Come meet Brooklyn."

Kyle was beyond handsome in a pair of perfectly tailored grey pants and a well fitted sea foam green shirt. He had dirty blond hair that looked as if it naturally fell into its style, but Brooklyn was certain it probably took a good amount of effort and skill to get it to look like that.

She was taken around the living room and introduced to Gregory and Kyle's friends. It turned out this was a monthly get together and they each took turns hosting. Gregory hadn't exaggerated when he said Kyle was a great cook. She couldn't why, but she savoured everything much more than before, and this dinner was a treat. Every bite was savoured with closed eyes and a quiet, appreciative murmur.

At the end of the night, she sat with Gregory, a little too giddy off of wine and cocktails.

"I shouldn't be drinking," she suddenly realized. But this was different. It was social, in a great environment.

"Why not?" asked Gregory.

"It's a rule."

"A rule?"

Brooklyn realized her mistake. She looked at Gregory and wondered if she should tell him about the priest. "Yes," she eventually answered. "Enforced by, a, priest."

Gregory looked at her, confused.

"I'm getting help at a church for a drinking and drug problem." Brooklyn wasn't drunk enough to tell her secret.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize you had one."

"Neither did I!" laughed Brooklyn. "But you know, I don't think I really had an addiction. Because when I stopped, it was easy. And this," she held up her barely touched glass of wine, "wasn't a big deal."

"Well, I'm glad to hear that. Still..." He took the glass away from her. An awkward silence followed.

"Thanks for a great night and for the great food," said Brooklyn, desperate to get back to the easy candor.

"It was a pleasure."

The next morning, Brooklyn went straight to church and waited for the doors to open. Six o'clock came and she watched her Priest unlock the front doors. She waited a few minutes before going in and went straight to the confessional.

"Hello, Father," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"My child," replied Father Mathias with affection.