Excerpt “A Reservoir Man” A coming of Age Novel
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.
Coming of Age
Date Published: 05-23-2022
Publisher: Film Valor
A Reservoir Man, critics have hailed this explosive and timely work as
“a must-read coming-of-age story of 2022.”
A Reservoir Man has unique insights in to life and a compelling narrative
about an individual grappling with truth, identity, and freedom.
Early Reviews
“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.
A Reservoir Man by L.J. Ambrosio is a brilliantly written coming-of-age
fictional memoir that is sure to steal your heart and leave you craving for
more. – The Reading Bud, Book Critic
The book “A Reservoir Man focuses on a coming-of-age story that will
highly impress anyone who comes across this wonderful piece. -Emilee
Jackson, Book Critic (UK)
This is a thought-provoking story that will resonate with readers wherever
they are in their personal journey. I expect everyone to take something
different from this tale, but no one who reads it will be unaffected. – Gina
Rae Mitchel, Book Critic (US)
About the Author
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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