Title Reflections on the Boulevard
Author LJ Ambrosio
Genre Dramatic Fiction, Fiction, Literary Fiction
Publisher Film Valor
Book Blurb
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 in Michael's final journey in life, each twist and turn of the road bringing unexpected adventures. The journey taken is one of joy, friendship and discovery.
Excerpt
They continued and arrived in Flagstaff, late at night. The motel looked just like the Bates Motel. Michael hurriedly got Ron into the room, which faced the Grand Canyon. Michael had reservations so they were able to get into the room quickly. Michael went outside, standing on the porch, feeling a significant pressure on his chest.
“The air is not meshing well with the smoke in my lungs,” Michael said to himself. When he got back to the room, Ron was already sleeping with Rhonda on his leg.
The next morning, Michael got up early and woke Ron telling him to wash his face. He then took Ron to the door of their room, opened it, and walked outside. Ron just gaped at the sight of the Grand Canyon. The colors and the sun bouncing off these jagged cliffs looked like cut out mountains from a magazine.
He turned to Michael, he said, “It looks like a painted drop! Not real. How was this created? What events led to this? I understand all the bullshit you learn in Earth Science, but this is so much more.”
Michael noticed a little tear in Ron’s eye, shed for the beauty, for the nature that Michael had always talked to him about.
“Those guys in New England, those Transcendentalists, they knew the answer, this is God. This is it! I know we will leave but I will never forget this, and the emotions it moves in me.”
“Alright I have a surprise. We are off to the North Rim of the Canyon. We are taking an entire day tour of the North Rim on the Katibah trail, exploring the inner canyons. We will travel on mules.”
“What did you say? Did I hear mules? I have never been on a horse, no less a mule. You expect me to ride a mule alone? No way!” said Ron.
They got into the car and Ron asked, “Where are we going?”
“To the North Rim!”
Ron was very worried. He listed all the reasons he could never ride a mule. He even claimed that Rhonda would be jealous of his attention to another animal.
At the entrance to the North Rim, Michael assured Ron that he would be okay.
“Ron, all will be fine! Just trust the mule. Trust the mule!”
“I don’t trust myself!” Ron said, then suddenly got on the mule. He was afraid he would fall off, so he waited there for a moment. He used the opportunity to tell the mule about Rhonda. Ron started to like the mule now, especially because she was not moving. He was more comfortable now with the mule and even told her how well Rhonda would get along with her if she did not try to eat Rhonda’s food. The mules took off on the trail with Michael following the guide and Ron following Michael, holding on for dear life.
On one particularly bumpy part of the trail, Michael assured Ron.
"You look great and natural on that mule! Like Gene Autry!” Ron was falling over now, off the mule. Ron had some choice language for Michael. After a minute he also asked, “Who is Gene Autry?”
“He was the cowboy who sang 'Don’t Fence Me In'!”
Buy Links
Amazon CA https://amzn.to/45LEkhg
Author Biography
Louis J. Ambrosio ran one of the most nurturing bi-coastal talent agencies in Los Angeles and New York. He started his career as a theatrical producer, running two major regional theaters for eight seasons. Ambrosio taught at 7 Universities. Ambrosio also distinguished himself as an award-winning film producer and novelist over the course of his impressive career.
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