Fiesta Girl

By Kevin Alberto Sabio

Brooklyn's own Alonzo Carrion is a gifted writer and poet...and a hopeless romantic.  After being the victim of a recent heartbreak, not even his writing can help him to clear mind, and ease his soul.  Enter Rita Lebron, a down-to-earth Fashion Design student from the Lower East Side, ready and willing to become his muse.  After a chance meeting while out with some friends at a party, they fall for each other, fast and hard.

But...Rita has her own dark relationship demons that she has to deal with.  Will the lovestruck couple fight through the darkness, and be able to persevere...or, will they let their personal demons control their hearts, and derail their relationship?  Set in 1990s New York City to the soundtracks of Latin Freestyle and Hip Hop, this is one Urban Afro Latino love story that you won't want to miss!  based on the original screenplay by the author!! 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kevin Alberto Sabio
• Release date: Feb 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386294276

Kevin Alberto Sabio

KEVIN ALBERTO SABIO is an author and activist, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY.  He is also known as a screenwriter, online journalist, and advocate for the cinematic and literary arts.  He has written several fiction and nonfiction book titles.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

New York City, circa 1993....

WE COME TO A VIEW OF the New York City skyline, her tenements and skyscrapers coming into full view, as we come across the campus grounds of the Borough of Manhattan Community College, one of the local campuses of the City University of New York college system, as the students and faculty move about their daily business.  On this early fall day, some students are just hanging around, talking with one another, and enjoying the pristine scenic views of the CUNY campus, and lower Manhattan in general, while others are either working on homework or class projects, or are rushing to class.  This latest fall semester has started off quite well, and her latest crop of students are looking to keep the positive momentum going.

We come across a classroom where an English Literature lesson is in progress; the professor is going on with his lecture, as the students are listening intently to his musings, with some of them also taking notes as they listen. We come to one particular chocolate faced student who seems completely lost in thought; a bored and forlorn look plastered on his face.  Alonzo Carrión stares out into oblivion, completely lost in deep thought.  Though he generally loved attending his English classes, he just wasn't feeling it today.  Recent events in his life had pulled his attention away all together, now just going through the motions, day by day.  He was doing pretty well grade-wise, so he didn't have to worry too much about not paying attention; his professors respected his talent and effort, and he could always go to one of his classmates afterward for any additional notes that he needed.  But, being able to focus his mind back onto his craft, however, was a totally different story.  He needed to get his focus back, if he were to seriously pursue his career as a writer, like he wanted.  But, after recent blows to his heart and ego, he wondered if such a thing was still possible.  He lets out a heavy sigh, and just continues to wear that same sad look on his face, as the rest of his classmates continue on with the lesson.

With his classes finally being over with for the day, Alonzo now rides the J train on his way back home to Bushwick, Brooklyn.  He is sitting in a corner seat by himself, glad to be in this solitary space to be alone with his thoughts, not being packed into the train car tightly like a can of sardines, as the train rumbles and roars through the tunnels.  He continues to wear that same forlorn look on his face, still somewhat lost in thought.  He has out one of his black composition books, hoping to be inspired to jot down any thoughts that came to mind during the ride home, hoping to get his writing mojo back, sometimes finding inspiration by watching the other commuters on the train.  That apparently wasn't happening on this particular ride, much to his dismay.  He just heavily sighs again, shaking his head. 

As the train pulls out of the Delancey Street station, Alonzo looks up and sees a young Latino couple entering into his car, probably late year high schoolers, walking hand in hand, and sits together a few seats away from him.  The young couple affectionately smiles at each other, and passionately kiss each other, lovingly stroking each others face, unafraid to show public displays of affection for each other.  Alonzo briefly watches them, and a reminiscent smile slowly starts to form onto his face, memories of first loves entering into his mind.  The young couple continues to publicly show their affection for each other, continuing to kiss, and hold hands.  Ahhh...young love, he thinks to himself, I used to know what that was like.  He continues to reminiscently watch them, as the train rumbles along, the light of the late afternoon flooding into the car, as they pass over the Williamsburg Bridge, rolling into Brooklyn.

The J train finally pulls into the Marcy Avenue station, and the young couple gets off at that train stop, leaving hand in hand.  Alonzo watches them as they leave, continuing to smile reminiscently to himself.  As the train pulls off to the next stop, his smile slowly starts to fade away, returning back to that same forlorn look that he wore before.  He becomes saddened again, becoming lost in thought once more, a heavy, sad sigh now leaving his lips.

ALONZO HAS RETURNED home to Bushwick, now in his apartment on Wilson Ave, off of Knickerbocker Avenue.  He is in his bedroom, sitting on his bed, trying to get some homework done.  Not being able to focus his attention on his school work, he just decides to space out, lying back on his bed, surrounded by his textbooks, again lost in thought.  He continues to wear that same saddened look on his face, the rhythms of the song Silent Morning by Noel playing in his head.  He momentarily closes his eyes, trying to achieve some sense of calm.  This ain't right..., he thinks to himself, I can't even focus to get my HOMEWORK done!.  He lets out another heavy sigh, silently wondering about the health of his heart and soul.

Alonzo is brought back to reality when he starts to hear knocking at the door, his eyes flying open, perplexed.  He wonders to himself who that could be, not expecting anybody to come over, or seek him out.  Alonzo initially tries to ignore the knocking at first, closing his eyes again, not really wanting to be bothered by any other presence, but the person persists.  Alonzo finally opens his eyes, frustrated, and lets out a weary breath.  He sits up in his bed, slightly annoyed.  The knocking continues, and Alonzo sighs, finally getting up to answer the door, sluggishly shuffling from his room to the front door, not being in any particular hurry to get to it.  He opens the door, and is greeted by the jovial, butter pecan face of Nestor Suave Nes Caliente, smiling up at him; Alonzo’s best friend in the whole world since childhood.  This finally brings a smile to Alonzo’s chocolate face.  ...Alonzo!, Nestor jovially replies, What’s up, man?.

...My man Suave-Nes!  What’s going on Nestor?

Chilling, man!  I’m just doing my thing...

How you been?  I haven’t seen you in a minute!

I’m finally making the music thing happen!  Me and my cousin Victor are starting up a group...

Cool!  I hear that!

So...what’s up with you, B? 

Alonzo looks away, trying to avoid eye contact.  Nestor catches onto his change of mood, and frowns a little.  They enter into the apartment, heading back towards Alonzo’s bedroom, and continue to talk.  Well, you know..., Alonzo starts.

"What?!  Don’t tell me you still sweating that chickenhead, man...!"

...-I’m saying though!, Alonzo protests, That was some fucked up shit she did to me!  I ain’t deserve none of that... 

"Damn...she really messed up your head, didn’t she?".  Nestor