Ms. Hyman

In 1995 I worked at a record shop with a fabulous gentleman named Brian. He was in his mid thirties, very tall, with broad shoulders and a Cheshire's grin. One Tuesday in November we were unloading the new releases. Brian held in his hand I Refuse to Be Lonely by Phyllis Hyman. He paused and let out a long, low sigh. I looked over his shoulder at the beauty on the cover and asked who was that lovely lady he was a-swoonin' over. Not taking his eyes from her, he explained that she was an R&B singer who had killed herself just a few months back. He turned to me, his eyes looking off into the distance, and told me about the night of his bachelor party. He and his crew had gone out to a club in Philly and while at the bar, Brian noticed that Phyllis Hyman was seated just a few feet away. He confidently walked over and said, "Excuse me, Ms. Hyman, my name is Brian and tonight is my bachelor party; tomorrow I'm gettin' married. It would be such a pleasure and an honor if the last woman I ever dance with would be you." She smiled and allowed him to escort her to the floor where he danced his last dance as a single man with the talented and gorgeous Phyllis Hyman.

Ms. Hyman...

...to Brian...

...to me! One degree of separation, baby! (Ms. Hyman's photo kidnapped from abagond / foto of brian by me! lisa star / foto of me - self portrait)