A teacher and his protégé take a haphazard journey of joy, friendship and discovery.
Reflections on the Boulevard
Reflections of Michael Trilogy Book 2
by L.J. Ambrosio
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Coming of Age
Michael's story continues from A Reservoir Man (2022) where we find him teaching at a university ready to retire. He unexpectedly meets a young man named Ron who becomes his protege and journeys in a haphazard adventure with him throughout America and Europe, each twist and turn of the road bringing unexpected adventures. The journey taken is one of joy, friendship and discovery.
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A Reservoir Man
Reflections of Michael Trilogy Book 1
A Reservoir Man, critics have hailed this explosive and timely work as “a must-read coming-of-age story of 2022.”
Twists and turns further pull the reader in to Michael’s action-packed tale, with powerful themes, from betrayal and family to secrets and identity.
“Be sure not to blink because you just might miss a pivotal moment in Michael’s rousing, larger-than-life story.” --R.C. Gibson, Indiestoday.com.
“This book is a dream, a gamble, a utopia, even.” -- Kalyan Panja, Bookmarkks.
Everywhere Michael turns he sees a Reservoir Man. Michael’s endless trials of survival include sexual assault, The Vietnam War, an arrest in Spain, Hollywood scandal, the AIDS outbreak, 9/11 and beyond.
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“A RESERVOIR MAN” BY LJ AMBROSIO
On New Year's Day, the children went with Michael to brunch in Venice and walked on the boardwalk. For dinner, they ate at their favorite Chinese restaurant in West Hollywood. Arriving home, they noticed someone sitting on the porch. Michael quickly got out of the car and went over to the man. It was Joe, a young client of Michael’s.
Two years earlier, Michael brought Joe into the agency as a client; they had a very respectful relationship. Joe asked Michael if he had time to talk. Normally, Michael would have asked Joe if it could wait till the next day, but Michael saw the urgency in his tone. He told Joe to come in and to give him some time to put the children to bed.
Michael came back into the living room with a martini for himself and his guest. He finally broke down and had liquor in his house. Joe sat down and told Michael to listen before he commented. He told Michael that there was an action to take over the office, and his LA staff were aware of it, as well as the New York staff. Gail had also secured a replacement for Michael to run the LA office. The clients were not informed. She was waiting for the proper time after Michael left the office. Gail had secured all the bank statements and hired a lawyer.
Michael was shocked. “Who told you, Joe? Do you know a timetable for when she intends to do this?”
Joe said he was dating someone at the union who told him, and he was not aware of a time she was going to act on this. Joe seemed very pale; Michael became concerned about Joe’s health, asking him how his T-cell count was. Joe did not respond to much of anything.
“There is nothing you can do,” said Michael.
“Just be healthy. There are some experimental drugs. Stay away from AZT. That is AIDS by prescription.”
Joe finished his drink and got up to leave. Joe hugged Michael, and while he was holding on to Michael, he whispered in his ear, “I'm scared. What is going to happen?”
Michael replied, “You are going to live and have fun. Just be gay.” They both laughed. Before Joe left, he stopped in the doorway, turning to Michael.
“What’s wrong Joe?” asked Michael.
“I did not call. I wanted to.”
“Why didn’t you?” said Michael, staring at the young man, who was in a world of anxiety and apprehension.
“I was afraid they tapped your phone,” said Joe, and he left.
Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
I always wrote- I was a professor who ran four major arts institutions and somewhat successful with my poetry. I wanted to write about my like with was long snd vastly interesting--I began writing my memior when suddenly I changes coarse and fictionalize it –realizing I could say more about my perceptions about living than write about myself that was less than 2 years ago
What is something unique/quirky about you?
I do everything from my right side and arm -I was going to be a priest and in the Nicaean creed Christ sat at the right-hand of God and exhibiting my loyalty to my OCDI only used my right hand and arm for40 years now.
Tell us something interesting that’s happened to you!
I always win, not for money but getting the job done—the one time I
lost I then won---I love winning for and with people.
What are some of your pet peeves?
People who eat and make noise---people's conversation that solely circles around themselves--
Where were you born/grew up at?
Brooklyn my first 25 years --I still have family there but it is so different from my perspective.
If you knew you’d die tomorrow, how would you spend your last
day?
Sitting with my children and friend at Waldon Pond.
Who is your hero and why?
Roger Maris—the rest I only admire ----One other hero St John of the Cross a 14th century Catholic mystic.
What kind of world ruler would you be?
I wouldn’t even think about that position.
What are you passionate about these days?
Truth---great art---
What do you do to unwind and relax?
Up until 10 years ago a vodka martini with a cig. Maybe two or four –a massage.
How to find time to write as a parent?
They are older like 30, no problem.
Describe yourself in 5 words or less!
A stubborn demanding older Italian man.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Last week with the publication of my second novel.
Do you have a favorite movie?
A French movie Love Song---and a Japanese trilogy The Human
Condition 1955.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
my best friend, a beagle named Buddy Stuff.
What inspired you to write this book?
Me, my passion for life---human pain and its condition.
What can we expect from you in the future?
My third novel Exile which I am prepped for already. It will complete the trilogy.
Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?
They are real.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Reflections on the Boulevard?
Michael 60 years old Ron a 20-year-old man who lives on the street and Carol a big breasted young woman who people make fun and laugh at.
This is for Reflection.
Where did you come up with the names in the story?
They were real.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I feel new love again.
Who designed your book covers?
A young Indian boy we did it all through emails I have such admiration for him he did an outstanding job.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Not a word. I love the whole thing so much. It speaks to me and I hope it will speak to you.
If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
Colin Farrell and Tom Holland.
Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
Read the book.
How did you come up with the name of this book?
You have to read the book. I'm not telling.
If you could spend time with a character from your book, who would it be? And what would you do during that day?
All three. We would laugh cry and listen to Leonard Cohen and drink Martinis.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
both
If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?
Jasmine
What did you edit out of this book?
Nothing
Is there a writer whose brain you would love to pick for advice? Who would that be and why?
Jack Kerouac On the Road. I want to know what he sees.
Thank you for inviting me I am waiting for my transition, but I will write some more –God Bless You All-------the face of God you will find in the mountains the trees the soil, and the animals.
This looks like a book I will thoroughly enjoy
ReplyDeleteYOU WILL AS SO MANY READER AND CRITIC HAVE SAID THANKS FOR THE POSITIVE COMMENT
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TO YOUR SITE IT IS GREAT L J AMBROSIO
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a book that move you emotionally.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your book
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