Josh, a lonely trapeze artist, thinks he’s cursed. It’s an old family superstition. He can’t have sex on a day he flies or he’ll fall. Maybe that’s why he’s never had a steady boyfriend, though sometimes he dreams of one. In his show, a strange melody plays in the background. It follows him and surfaces from time to time on the street. When Josh’s uncle hears about the music, he tells his nephew to bring the old ring, passed down from generations since the time of the curse. Steve is a realtor who always reaches his goals, in sales or otherwise, and he moonlights as a dancer in an all-male review on The Strip. All his friends his age are married, and his best friend’s wife Genie wants to see him hitched, too. He’s a little bit challenged in the relationship department, though. He has some growing up to do, or maybe it’s his problem in bed, where he’s somewhat one-sided. Steve and Josh meet one crazy night when Josh breaks all the rules used to protect him from the curse. After that, he runs. If it wasn’t for Genie’s matchmaking, Josh and Steve might never see each other again. Though not yet ready for a boyfriend, Josh does need a realtor. What a good way for he and Steve to get to know each other, while Josh works up the courage to tell Steve about the curse. Still unaware of Josh’s problem, Steve falls in love with him. When Steve finds out about the curse thing, it’s a big disappointment, but he wants Josh anyway. There’s no doubt Josh is worth the wait. Maybe the curse isn’t real after all. Can lonely Josh overcome his fear of it? Can horndog Steve handle a curse? Is the answer in the ancient ring?

The Curse of Flight

“It’s not on the Bechdel List,” she said.


“Why not? It’s got female characters with names, plenty.”


Genie looked it up on her phone. “One of their names isPlenty, along with Bambi and Thumper. Needless to say, they’ve nothing to say.”


“It’s got gay guys,” Steve said. “Partners. They’re assassins. That’s cool, creepy, but cool.”


“Do they fall in love, get married, and live happily ever after?” she asked.


“No, this was the seventies. No on-screen romance. They just run around killing people.”


“Taco needs a walk.” The dog jumped to the ground and danced at Dan’s feet.


“How are things going, Josh?” Genie asked. “We have to do lunch and catch up.”


Josh took his arm back and stretched. “We’re planning a get-together at my house. I pushed the button on the invitation today. You didn’t get it?”


“No. Oh, here it is.” She fumbled with her phone. “How nice. What’s this about an announcement? How exciting! What is it? Why didn’t you tell me?”


Chapter 65