What is the relationship between the chronology and the plot of "Sonny's Blues"?

I think it is important to realise when reading this story
that the ordering of events, including various flashbacks, is not strictly
chronological. Rather, the author has carefully chosen a series of events that shows the
movement of the relationship of the two brothers from one of opposition and anger, at
least on the part of the narrator, and then understanding and love. The events of the
story, therefore, are carefully selected and ordered to show this gradual movement
towards understanding. Note the way in which the story begins at perhaps one of the
worst points in their relationship: when the narrator discovers that Sonny has been
arrested for drug dealing. However, the death of the daughter of the narrator makes him
think of his brother again, and whether the gap between them can be bridged. As the
narrative develops, and switches between the present chronological narrative and
flashbacks to their childhood, moving ever closer towards the end of this excellent
story, which is when the narrator hears Sonny's music for himself, and experiences for
himself how Sonny uses it to process and deal with his
pain:

I
seemed to hear with what burning he had made it his, and what burning we had yet to make
it ours, how we could cease lamenting. Freedom lurked around us and I understood, at
last, that he could help us to be free if we would listen, that he would never be free
until we did.

The acceptance
of Sonny and his music is symbolised when the narrator buys drinks for Sonny and his
band. The story is now complete as it has arrived at the destination it has been heading
towards since the beginning: acceptance and love.